Disc Brake Squeal Fix .... Good, and Not So Good

So, I replaced the pads on my '79 KZ650 awhile back, and they've squealed ever since.

I've had the pads off and sanded them, but no good.

On this week's MotorWeek, Pat Goss talked about a spray disc brake squeal fix, so whe I was riding today being very annoyed by that squealing, I stopped at an O'Reilly's I was passing and bought this:

www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detail/PTX0/8...?keyword=anti-squeal

I sprayed it on right there in the parking lot. Rode the bike slowly and hit the brakes 8-10 times as the instructions recommended (I actually read them).

On the plus side, the squeal is gone. Totally and completely.

There is, though, one slight downside.

This shit is silver paint! I thought the silvering on the wheels and tires as I sprayed it was just the stuff making them wet, but when I got home, I noticed silver "paint", or whatever this stuff is, all over my hands.

I freaked, grabbed a rag, and started furiously rubbing on the wheels and tires. It partly came off the tires, but it didn't budge on the wheels!

I re-read the directions on the can, but it says nothing about this.

Does anyone know how to get this stuff off?

Possibly Acetone will remove it, MEK should (but use it in a well ventilated area and wear slovent resistant gloves).

Some riders have used the silver anti seize on the back of the pucks to dampen the noise.

Thanks for the advice.

What is MEK?

Also, the directions say to spray it directly on the rotor.

Sigh .......

At least the brakes don't squeal anymore.

MEK, Methyl Ethyl Ketone(SP) a strong solvent, will cause severe health problems if absorbed or inhaled:

www.jtbaker.com/msds/englishhtml/m4628.htm

Wouldn't something that strong also take the finish that's already on the wheels off?

It might,if the wheels are either powder coated or painted. If it were me, I'd try first some 70% rubbing Alcohol, and then use the higher strength Alcohol(something like 90%, I think). Paint thinner might remove it too.

Be careful and use gloves outdoors, as most solvent fumes are easy to catch on fire.

Well, they're the factory aluminum rims, with the black finish. I'm sure they're not powdercoated, so I'm guessing it's paint.

Try mineral spirits first in case the silver is some kind of enamel. That will remove it without taking the paint off the wheel. Acteone will strip the paint off the rims.

www.permatex.com/documents/tds/Automotive/80077.pdf
Here is the manufactures technical sheet.
I don't know where you read to spray it on the "Rotor", it is normally applied to the rear side of the Pads.

LOL! You sprayed that stuff all over your rotor and hub? Pics?

FWIW - I fixed the window shattering Z1 squeal using some Ultra Black on the back of the pads. ....for now. I plan on trying to recreate those factory pads and shims.

Yea, normally the "quiet" stuff gets put on the back of the pad. On my bike, it would work for a couple of weeks then start squealing again. I ended up refacing the rotor and that fixed it.

seanof30306 wrote:

I sprayed it on right there in the parking lot. Rode the bike slowly and hit the brakes 8-10 times as the instructions recommended (I actually read them).

Apparently, not clearly enough. :blink:

Tough lesson. Nothing ever gets sprayed on pads, and only high flash point/clean drying solvents on rotor.

Good luck.