squeeky front brakes

[mla187]

I HAVE HAD MY GRANDVISTA FOR ABOUT 2 MNTHS AND HAVE HAD A SQUEEK IN THE FRONT BRAKES. I'VE HAD IT TO THE PLACE I BOUGHT IT 3 TIMES AND THEY SAY THE PADS WERE GLAZED BUT OTHER THEN THAT NO PROBLEMS COULD BE FOUND. THEY SAY THEY TEST DRIVE IT AND CAN'T REPEAT THE SOUND.( I THINK THAT'S B.S.) NOW THE WARRENTY HAS RUN OUT AND THEY SAY THEY CAN'T DO ANY THING MORE FOR ME. WHAT HAPPENED TO CUSTOMER SERVICE?
dOES ANYONE HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS WITH WHAT TO DO. SCREW THE COMPANY I JUST WANT TO RESOLVE THE SQEEK. WOULD NEW GOOD PADS HELP? I'M SO FRUSTATED PLEASE HELP.

[OldGuy]

There are only three common causes for disk brakes to squeak. The first, a poorly prepared disk surface is highly unlikely when we take into account the fact that your scoot is almost new.

The second is an excessive amount of brake dust between the pad and the rotor. Blowing it out with compressed air will fix that. Wear a filter mask when you do this since the dust is primarily asbestos.

The third cause is the brake pads being glazed. This is caused by using the the brakes hard and excessively when the pads are new, before they've broken in. Excessive heat buildup causes the pad to form an extremely hard surface where the pad contacts the rotor. Another characteristic of this problem is excessive force is required to stop the scooter. This can be difficult to diagnose if you have little experience with the vehicle as is the the case with a new scooter.

If this is the case there are two possible fixes. The first is to replace the pads. The second is to remove the pads and place a piece of coarse emery paper on a flat surface and remove the top 1/16" from the pad, or you could just use the brakes gently and wait for it to wear the glazed portion off.

PS. Typing all in caps is considered the equivalent of shouting.

[kawzak]

Back in the 70's and 80's disc brake drove people crazy with all the noise, anyway I had a honda 750 front disc brake squeel bad. Replaced the pads-had same problem within 150 miles. here is what I used that worked for me, and 3 yrs later still quite!. Hopefully it is still available. At Auto-zone auto parts I found CRC brand "Disc Brake Quite" in a 4oz. bottle. It's a brite red thick liquid. you remove the brake pads and put a bead on the BACK/METAL side of each brake pad that contacts the piston/cup ,(NOT on the brake material) let set-up 10 minutes,install,let sit/cure overnight. It works to dampen the high frenquency vibration (squeel)-just follow the instructions on the bottle. My bottle is still usable, so it has a long shelf life. It looks like silicon rubber sealant, but may have other properties.Hope this helps, let me know your results.

[frankt3095]

I agree in re the all caps.
My PS250 developed a squeak too, after about 1000 mi.  Now I regularly include a good wheel wash in my weekly wash, including spraying the pads, casing, and the disc with brake dust cleaner spray.  A rinse off, and the a ride to dry it all out.  Squeak...be gone!
f

[kawzak]

I found the CRC disc brake product at NAPA. I stated in a previous reply that I used this and it really works. It is a red thick fluid that you put on the BACK side of the disc brake pads that contacts the caliper piston/cup. Let dry overnight-lasts for years in my experiance. 

[tortoise]

Thread bump . . still valid information.

remove the pads and place a piece of coarse emery paper on a flat surface and remove the top 1/16" from the pad

Although this strategy may not work on all detached caliper assemblies due to design differences, a similar technique does not require pad removal . . only pulling a strip of plumbers abrasive sandcloth between the pads a few times while pressing them together with your finger.






Removing the 2 caliper assembly mounting bolts may require an impact.

[08087]

A few drops of oil should make the sound go away! JJ of course. You don't have to YELL at the forum to get a reply, just ask.

I'm going with the dust or maybe you don't use the scoot too much and there is a little rust built up on the rotor.