Very squeaky front brakes

[Choppski]

Hi guys, I'm after some advice please.

Just completed a long trip to France and the front brakes are almost constantly squeaking and it's driving me mad!

I have put copper grease on the anti slip pads, but doesn't sort the issue in any way.

Basically the brakes are very squeaky when not applied and travelling along, especially at slow town speeds, and they cease when the brakes are applied, even lightly. I suspect it's a caliper not retracting all the way? Brake fluid had been changed recently in the last 4 months.

Is it a case of a rebuild with new seals or should I just replace them? Could it be the wheel bearing at all??

I pretty sure I have girling calipers.

Thanks in advance.

[johnfevs]

I have the same problem. Took the wheel off today to have a look and it seems that the piston are not retracting. Can the pistons be lubricated they look pretty dry will this help. If I tap the outside with a hammer they seem to release and the disc spins freely. But when I apply the brakes again they seem to stick again. What's the best option.

[ChrisTriple]

I have the same problem, I took the anti squeal shims out as a quick fix. Worked a treat

[kevtherev]

yes a sticky piston will make them squeak as said.
I slung out the old pads from GSF and bought some pads from brickwerks.
any quality pad will do

[johnfevs]

When the brake is released I'm assuming the piston will retract slightly. Will try and lubricate today

[kevtherev]

When the brake is released I'm assuming the piston will retract slightly. Will try and lubricate today

not quite.
the pressure releases allowing the pads to lightly skim the disc surface.
if the piston sticks it heats up ....and hot pads scream

I used a G clamp and wound the piston in and out a few times.
In the end I fitted new pads

[johnfevs]

Kev, ok cheers. I have just lubricated the pistons and moved them in and out a few times. Seems better, road test later.

[Choppski]

I forgot to mention that I had replaced the front pads at the same time I changed the fluid, a few months ago. For the first month the noise went...now it's back with a vengeance! The pads were from from vw heritage, German quality apparently.

Should I just remove the anti squill shims then?

[johnfevs]

Mine seems to have stopped since cleaning up. Only time will tell

[kevtherev]

Should I just remove the anti squill shims then?

being an early calliper I could not answer that, mine are late brakes and no shims... but I know my pal who has early callipers doesn't use shims, just copperslip

[Choppski]

ok i'll give it a go on the way to Busfest and see how i get on.

[California Dreamin]

How the piston 'retracts' in the caliper.......little known facts for those who didn't know.

Carefully look at the seal....how it 'distorts' under braking pressure and then how it 'reforms' its original shape, which has the effect of pulling the piston back (ever so slightly). Note* that the pads still touch but shouldn't be heavy enough to generate excessive heat or friction (you can just hear them touching)



As for this particular fault ..... well it could be a seizing piston but to be honest, cheap brake pads are often to blame.

Martin

[CovKid]

Aye, and sometimes they'll squeak for a long time before they finally shut up. Mine did.

[weldore]

Make sure the pads aren't too tight when the brakes are cold because when they are hot they will bind like a Mo fo

[kevtherev]

Jeez I never knew mo-fos binded!

you da man weldo!