Rear brake squeaks on 1986 R65

[geno05]

My rear brake squeaks loudly.  Granted, my bike is 27 years old, but only has 2,7xx miles.  Would rear wheel removal and cleaning the drum and shoes likely fix this or are their shoes known to quiet the rear brake?
Thanks,
Gene

[Bob_Roller]

I'd scuff up the brake shoe with some sandpaper, the contact area is probably glazed up .

Another problem in that area, is the shaft that moves the brake shoes, it's quite common to have the o-rings on that shaft to leak .

If you see any wetness in that area, replace the o-rings now, it's a 30 minute job .

May save you a set of brake linings later .

[nhmaf]

Along with the clean and sanding of the shoes to remove any glazing, I think that BMW had a kit with some different rubber dampers to go on the springs for the rear drum brakes - I seem to recall reading somewhere that spring vibrations could contribute to the squeaking, and this was how they addressed that.   Look to see if you do have any rubber-baby-buggy-bumpers on your brake springs when you pull the rear wheel off.  If not, inquire at the dealer?

[geno05]

Thanks to all.  I'll clean and scuff up the pads and check for rubber dohickeys on the springs.
Gene

[Olliepup]

I have the identical bike as yours. My rear brake squeaked when I bought it (March 2011) and found that the shoes were worn out. I replaced the shoes and noticed there was no spring dampener, which is specified. The brake squeaked after the new shoes were installed and still squeak after I fitted a spring dampener (from Max BMW).
So...the rear brakes squeak (until I drag the rear brake for a hundred yards or so to warm it up). After warming up the brake, it stops squeaking. I think front and rear brake squeaking is normal until they are warmed up.
Experts, please weigh in, I've only owned a BMW for 18 months.
Wavy Dave

[Bob_Roller]

My rear brake has never squeaked .

Either with OEM shoes, or aftermarket EBC shoes .

[nhmaf]

My rear brake doesn't squeak either - but I think that the rear brake on my 88 R100RT (also a monolever) would sometimes.   It could be a difference in the rear wheel  hub, geometry of the brake lever, spring rate, etc.

[Mike V]

to elaborate on Bob's suggestion...

Brake squeel?  Glazed pads and/or shoes are almost always the cause.  The hardened surface creates a very high frequency vibration.  Break the glaze in the drum by wet sanding with #360 and washing with Acetone. Sometimes roughing up the pads will help but normally glaze on brakes shoes is caused by contamination and hard to remedy.  This will take a little time and effort but worth it.

I would try roughing up the drum and pads - rinsing with Acetone (don't use solvents that will leave a residue) then go out and "bed-in" or "burnish" the pads with 20 to 30 hard aggresive stops from ±50mph to a complete stop.  Be sure to allow adequate cooling in-between braking sessions.  This (burnishing) should be normal procedure after new pads are installed, but too often overlooked. Light stops and braking will normally cause brake squeel and component glazing.  Find a safe, flat, desolate straight section of road to perform the burnishing.  And make sure you have no leaking seals or o-rings to contaminate your pads.

Try it.