I've been wondering. My rear brakes have always squealed, sometimes worse than others but almost alway squeal, often when not applying the brake. I've changed the pads several times. So is it just mine or is this a K 100 quirk.


The springs are in place, I'll have to check on a rebuild kit or something for the cylinder, maybe. I have always just ignored the noise and occaisionally would try new brake pads to try and eliminate the noise. BMW pads seem to be the worst for noise, I've tried other types, ceramic, non metal, etc, but still they make noise. I'll look at the cyclinders and try and see if the pads are returning properly.

Do you have the little spring in place, the one you put in when you put the pins back?

are you using the sintered pads ?   that in it self might answer your question

a regular issue is that the rear pads don't return properly ...and all the time

sometimes this is because the one of the two tubes inside the rear brake master cylinder (equalizer tube ) has become blocked effecting retract

another reason could be that the rear pistons have become corroded inside the cylinders ..same effect  ..

good luck

To cure squealing on my first disc braked bike, a new 1972 Norton Commando Interstate, the wisdom was to apply a high temperature grease to the back of the brake pad. I used Coppaslip and never had squealy brakes again; I've continued using this process on all my subsequent disc brakes.

Paul.

sidecar paul wrote:To cure squealing on my first disc braked bike, a new 1972 Norton Commando Interstate, the wisdom was to apply a high temperature grease to the back of the brake pad. I used Coppaslip and never had squealy brakes again; I've continued using this process on all my subsequent disc brakes.

Paul.

I also use copperslip if I touch my brakes and that's exactly what I'd do first because it normally works and it's cheap!
If that fails, I've heard of people using anti squeal shims that are used on car brakes. A trip to the motor factors with a pattern could help.

sidecar paul wrote:To cure squealing on my first disc braked bike, a new 1972 Norton Commando Interstate, the wisdom was to apply a high temperature grease to the back of the brake pad. I used Coppaslip and never had squealy brakes again; I've continued using this process on all my subsequent disc brakes.

Paul.

I'm not familiar with Coppalsip as a brand, but have used equivalents over many years. 

It can be a good idea to put a little smear wherever the pad back plate touches the caliper as well as where it contacts the piston. The noise is all about transmitting a vibration from the pad to something else, and the lubricant limits/dampens this transmission. 

Bill

Got it, have to pick some up.

Hcharlie99 wrote:are you using the sintered pads ?   that in it self might answer your question

a regular issue is that the rear pads don't return properly ...and all the time

sometimes this is because the one of the two tubes inside the rear brake master cylinder (equalizer tube ) has become blocked effecting retract

another reason could be that the rear pistons have become corroded inside the cylinders ..same effect  ..

good luck

hi Charlie
I've encountered the rear brake drag problem. I did everything (I thought) and failed. 
I'm not familiar with the 'balance tube' of which you speak?

All will be revealed in this post!

38 onwards.