Got a squeaking sound after removing rear wheel

johnasp

Hi all,

My MTB repair experience beyond fixing punctures is pretty limited so was wondering if anyone could help with a problem I keep getting.

My bike (Boardman FS comp) has been running fine until I removed the rear wheel (to clean the bike) and put it back on. Since I put the wheel back on I keep hearing the this intermittent squeaking sound which sounds like metal on metal and when I hammer on the rear brake the bike judders to a hault, it was smooth before I took the wheel off and on. I guess its a problem with the brake discs or pads?

I didnt have any of these problems prior to removing and replacing the wheel, which I do with the bike upside down as I can't get it on and off on its wheels as I dont have a stand. I also cant get the wheel back on without completely removing the quick release nut and skewer as it tends to get in the way.

I've had this problem occur in the past and I keep having to take it to the bike shop for them to fix it, which I dont want to keep doing. What I am doing wrong?

Cheers...John

nicklouse

johnasp wrote:

I've had this problem occur in the past and I keep having to take it to the bike shop for them to fix it, which I dont want to keep doing. What I am doing wrong?

Cheers...John

1 cleaning the bike.
2 not asking the shop what it was.

what do you use to clean the bike? and what else do you use on the bike lubes/greases/cleaners....

johnasp

Spray it all over with Muc Off cleaner, and scrubbed all the muck off with bristeled brush, then hosed it down and then just oiled the chain with a bog standard bile chain oil.

cooldad

johnasp wrote:

Spray it all over with Muc Off cleaner, and scrubbed all the muck off with bristeled brush, then hosed it down and then just oiled the chain with a bog standard bile chain oil.

Which would be?

Darkstalker420

Probably rear disc brake rubbing on rotor. Turn the bike upside down and undo the quick release on the rear wheel. Thump the tyre from above (to make sure the wheel is sat central in the frame THEN as you tighten the QR lean on the back wheel (to stop it popping up out of the dropouts). As for the juddering i would say that you have something on the rear rotor/pads.

Get hold of some isopropanol alcohol and give the rotor a good wipe with a CLEAN cloth and don't touch the rotor with your bare hands!! DON'T use ANY cleaning products near your disc brakes as most seem to leave a film which hampers brake performance.

Thanks.

johnasp

Great, thanks, I shall give your advice a go this evening. I think the cleaning solution did get on the rotors when I was cleaning the bike, didnt know you had to totally avoid getting anything on them.

Where can I get hold of isopropanol alcohol BTW?

Thanks again!

bonezy

eBay for the IPA

roverthehill

funny - I had a similar problem. However, mine only squeeles when I'm peddling quite fast. If i am free-wheeling or going slow then there is no squeel. It's very high-pitched - definitely brakes you reckon?

i 'think' it started after I went through a very muddy section. Cleaned the bike with water and FS1 I think it's called bike cleaner - wiped the rotors with a clean cloth.

Darkstalker420

http://www.shinyhardware.co.uk/prods/se ... sopropanol

Yeah i would say check the pad spacing on the brake to see if one side is a bit closer than it needs to be and is rubbing. Not sure what model brakes you have (my AVID's made an annoying "ching" ching" rubbing noise 'till i backed off the inner pad a little). High pitched "squealing" is some times contaminated pads. This is what i USUALLY do.

remove the offending pads **now i have only tried this with sintered pads so i'm not sure what will happen with others so BE CAREFUL**

Sand lightly with wet/dry until surface glaze is gone. Soak them with isopropanol THEN hold them by the "tab" with some pliers and hold them over a cooker ring (gas!) BUT KEEP THE BOTTLE OF ISO OUT OF THE AREA it's really flammable (no REALLY!). Hold them pad side up for a few seconds HAVE TO PLAY THIS BY EYE then pad side down. Then remove from heat and look for smoke coming from them (don't inhale! :shock:) best to have windows/door open to as this stinks.

Then i usually rest the hot pads on the concrete door step to cool. This has reconditioned all the pads i have used the method on and they have stopped squealing and braking performance has been restored. Just have to be careful not to hold the pad over the ring for to long and have it unbond and drop off (never done it myself yet so you should be ok).

Thanks.

johnasp

How do you adjust the pad spacing? As a said, I know jack about bike maintenance!

Darkstalker420

What brakes do you have?

Thanks.

cooldad

Just buy new pads.
And read http://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-help for how to do stuff.