Hey Guys, When I'm riding slow (5-10k's) I hear my front squeaking, when I ride a little faster(20-30ks) I feel the front rubbing or something on each rotation and when I brake it squeaks a little more so. My step dad said my pads are probably just worn which yes they are worn a little. But I recently had a bit of a crash and I was thinking that, that would have bent something. I'm pretty sure the disc isn't bent but hey. Anyone had similar probs?
I can't really give a definate reply, but bending the disc would be quite a feat. You should get the front off the ground and try spinning the front wheel, and check for where it's rubbing. Maybe your bearings are shot (but it wouldn't 'squeak' so much as 'grind') Or maybe its that the brakes are worn further than you think. Maybe you should check them. All I know is that you should try looking for - and rectifying - the problem as odds are the problem will get worse without attention. Uhm, not to say 'fear the worst' or anything. It's most likely the brakes.
fair enough I'm due for new pads I know that. bearnings make a grind you say? well I could call it a grind I guess its like a kshhh kshh kshh ... hrmm typing sound effects is so hard
it could quite possible be a warped disc, due to the crash and the brake pads are rubbing on it because of this. To tell if it is a warped discs or not, try riding along then applying the front brake reasonably hard and try and feel if the bike shudders, or vibrates at all. If it is a warped disc it wont be a cheap fix
a 'kssh kssh' you say? that does sound like a brake rubbing. Maybe you did warp the disc (wow, nice job) I recall that you did misalign the front wheel in a crash, maybe you did more than that. But try replacing the pads before you go out and but a new disc. I doubt its the bearings, but to be sure, get the bike, raise the front off the ground, make the front wheel face you (its called the "I'm about to be ran down by an unmanned bike" pose) and grab the top and bottom of the wheel. Try to twist the wheel left and right (if you dont know what I mean, it's the way a wheel should not under any circumstances move. - try to push the top of the wheel into a fork) If it does move a little, the bearings are probably gone ("yay cheaper than a new disk" you can say) If theres no play in the wheel, change the pads, then see what happens.
when checking the pads... look from the front.. as well as look fronm the back!! on my VFR the calipers are bent (yes it can happn!!) and my pads don't wear out eavenly!! so at the back on one of them it gets to zero!! while at the front it looks like I have about 3mm left!!
Try taking the pads out and give the wheel a spin. It is easy to pull the pads out - Takes about 1 minute. Dave
The best and easiest way to check rotor warpage is to remove the wheel and take the rotor off. Lay the rotor on a flat surface, like a piece of glass and use a feeler gauge.
I doubt the disk is warped. It takes a fair bit to warp it. And the crash I had was a slow low side. A second hand disk from the wreckers costs about 160 anyway but I think it's most likely the pads. Still haven't had time to check. I'll do it tonight. How much does a new set of pads cost for the front?
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if it does turn out the disc is warped it doesn't automatically mean a replacement is needed. I had a warped front disc on my 2kr recently and got it machined straight for $90 at a specialist in melbourne. JUst had to take the disc off and take it in there - took them an hour or so to do the job. Can give you details if you need (in fact it was boz who pointed me in their direction).
I can get new pads for $25 a set... I can get New disk with new pads made in Australia for about $295 each I can get New disk with new pads made in Spain for about $330 each Though the avalability for the FZR250 3LN is a bit iffy... If you are serious in buying... let me know and I'll find out if they are in stock...
I'm in sydney though. Hrmm My pads look like they still have plenty of meat on them. The front brake still feels soggy though, I've got almost 1.5cm of freeplay before it bites and that's on full reach. Still makes a brushing noise when spinning and squeaks under brakes. I took the front brakes off one by one and both make a slight brushing noise against the disc, but without the brakes attached wheel spins alot more freely and the brushing noise is gone. Any thoughts. I'm leaning alot more towards the discs now, however I don't know how something like this all of a sudden comes up, especially both discs. Perhaps the crash I had missaligned the front wheel within the forks, maybe bent the bolt that holds the front wheel on? I lowsided on one side only and it was relatively slow that's why I can't believe it is the discs let alone both.
Interesting that you mention the axle.. when it is bent it will make the wheel wobble while it is spinning... and it will do exactly what you describe with the brakes...
the bike does also pull to the right ever so slightly. It could well be the axle hey? I'll undo the bolt this afternoon and check out it's straightness. Hopefully I can get a new one if it is slightly bent. It is just a bolt isnt it?
Ha, I remember bending the axle on my treadly (pushbike). Didn't expect that to be the case at all. Took me ages to see what was wrong, nearly got a new wheel and everything. When I found out I just got banged it back to shape with a hammer. Dont really suggest that should be done with a motorbike tho...
I think i have this problem Just recently my front wheel has begun to squeak. This usually only occurs at low speeds. I am thinking the axle may be bent because, if i take my hands off the bars after a few seconds it starts shaking from side to side (death wobbles) Is there an easy fix for this?
Could be just the pads squeaking or the caliper pistons getting a bit stuck as the pads wear? Shaking could be tyre getting a bit out of round or mis-shapen, uneven wear, etc. Check also that the forks are lined up. What are the head bearings like, notchy when turning, loose?
im somewhat of a noob when it comes to bikes, i only know rotors as far as i can tell, the problem is the brakes, i think maybe the disc is warped and catching, but before i look at getting that machined, i will replace the pads I will do a full service, as its been 5k since last oil change. i am thinking of doing oil + filter pads + brake fluid fuel filter coolant change air filter? anything else? also what pads do you recommend?
