Why are my brakes squeeling?

Hi all,

Got a 77 KZ 650. Runs pretty well, but the front brake squeals when I apply brakes. Thought perhaps the pads were worn so I changed them. Twenty minutes later, sqealing again. If I spray with brake cleaner, OK for
a scoche, then squealing again. I noticed what seems like aluminum paint on the rotor, so I sprayed it off. OK for a bit, now, squealing again. HELP!!!

BINJIEU wrote:

Hi all,

Got a 77 KZ 650. Runs pretty well, but the front brake squeals when I apply brakes. Thought perhaps the pads were worn so I changed them. Twenty minutes later, sqealing again. If I spray with brake cleaner, OK for
a scoche, then squealing again. I noticed what seems like aluminum paint on the rotor, so I sprayed it off. OK for a bit, now, squealing again. HELP!!!

Play Dixie?

I assume you used Kawasaki factory pads 43050-5001 at $100 or so a set? What you didn't? You used aftermarket pads Vesra, EBC or the like because they are less money. Good reason too, they squeel.
I went through this a long time ago and never had an aftermarket pad fitted to the front of a KZ650 that didn't squeel so bad pedestrians would be running for cover at 100 yds away. Not acceptable to me. Look on ebay for factory pads. Don't bother with all the fixes like slotting the pads, using brake stop squeel goop ect, because they will still squeel.

there is a anti rattle plate that is on the back of the pad if it is missing they will make noise, also take some 80 grit sand paper and spin the wheel, scuff the shine off the rotor and run it across the pads, this will clean any glaze off and allow the pads to seat on their own

The factory pads are now $142.00 per set, and you will need 2 sets at $284.00 to acquire the shim that comes with them. This is what the dealer charges here in Atlanta.

The shim is part of the piston side pad.

I tried a couple different things. Aftermarket pads don't have the shim, so you might be able to get by without it, using copper Permatex like Patton did.

I found RTV by itself was not enough.

I got some brass .005 shim stock and used that in conjuction with some grey RTV between the shim and pad.

You can cut .005 with a pair of scissors. An assortment of .002, .003, and .005 is available at ACE hardware.

Way back when I had my one and only and never again BMW motorcycle, the rear brake shoes wore out. The dealer wanted $44.00 for one shoe and $45.00 for the other. I found a local brake reliner, who relined the shoes for $6.00 each.

Before I found sets of original pads I stopped my aftermarket (EBC) pads from squealing by cutting a chamfer on the leading and trailing edges and using blue antisqueal (Permatex I think) on the backs. The only time they made noise after that was when the rotors got very dusty. Ed

Post edited by: 650ed, at: 2007/09/17 22:44

When mine squeel I just apply different pressure as I'm stopping and play a little tune. :whistle: :whistle: :whistle:

Back in the 70's there was a mag write up that told you to drill small holes in the pads and put pencil led in them.

Mark

Same trick as 650ed, but used copper goo, I wash the brakes fairly often so don't get any squeel problems.
Cheers
Tony

650ed wrote:

Before I found sets of original pads I stopped my aftermarket (EBC) pads from squealing by cutting a chamfer on the leading and trailing edges and using blue antisqueal (Permatex I think) on the backs. The only time they made noise after that was when the rotors got very dusty. Ed<br><br>Post edited by: 650ed, at: 2007/09/17 22:44

Reread your post. Squeal is the pre-existing problem.

BINJIEU wrote:

. . . front brake squeals when I apply brakes. Thought perhaps the pads were worn so I changed them. Twenty minutes later, sqealing again. If I spray with brake cleaner, OK for a scoche, then squealing again. OK for a bit, now, squealing again . . .

I think BSKZ650 is right, the problem is a rotor that is glazed.

BSKZ650 wrote:

take some 80 grit sand paper and spin the wheel, scuff the shine off the rotor and run it across the pads, this will clean any glaze off and allow the pads to seat on their own

It's a real common problem on cars, if you don't machine the rotors, new pads will not wear in properly, and sometimes start to squeal right away.

You might scuff everything up, and clean the caliper pins and lube them up, and then see (hear) where you are.