Front brake squeak when turning

[ddebonis]

Noticing something new. When I'm cornering, I hear squeaking coming from the front brake. Seems to happen more when I turn right. Gonna retorque axle. And other ideas?

Danny

[Barry]

Assume this is a slow speed things as otherwise the bars would hardly turn at all. Even then it's hard to see how it would pressurize the brake system.  If you spin the wheel with the bike on the stand and then turn the bars can you feel the brake being applied ?

[steve hawkins]

You might have multiple issues:

Are you brake pistons returning when the brakes are let off?

Do you have a slight warp on one disk?  Does it pulse when the brake is applied.  Is the disk/s in otherwise good condition?

Are your forks level?  Both correctly topped up with fluid.  All the pinch bolts on the yokes tight? And axle tight.

What are your wheel bearings like.  Is there any play?

Is the wheel still round and the tire seated correctly.  No high speed wobbles.

Cheers

Steve H

[ddebonis]

Thanks Steve and Barry.

It may be happening when I'm going fast too, but I just don't hear it due wind/engine noise blocking it out.

I don't think it's triggered by turning the bars -- I think it's from flex in the forks, axle or loose bearings.

I'm not quite sure if I notice the brake engaging--I don't plunge forward on the turn. But it definitely squeaks. That said, me brakes are squeaky. But it's definitely louder when making turns as opposed to going straight.

Brake does not stick. They return when I release the lever.

Brake does not pulse when when it is applied.

I do know know how to measure if forks are level. Do not know if oil is same in each one.

When placed on the center stand, the wheel rotates freely for the most part. There is one spot with a little resistance. Maybe rotor is slightly warped. It has some scoring in it.

I'm going to put it wheel back on, torque to 33-37lbs and see if the problem persists. I didn't detect and axle wobble before hand, though...

[Luca]

To check that the forks are level first make sure the stanchions sit equally in each side of the upper triple clamp.  Then make sure that the distance from the bottom of the sliders to the bottom of the triple clamp is equal on both sides.

Removing the caliper with the bike on the stand and then spinning the wheel can help you determine if the rotor is warped.  Also, putting a ring of sharpie ink on each side of the rotor and spinning the wheel can help show where the rotor is dragging, if it is.

Lightly oil the axle to help it settle into position in the fork sliders and make sure that it isn't binding during installation.  Make sure you tighten the axle nut first and the pinch bolt second or you could cause misalignment.

Also, try torquing the axle a bit lower at 25ftlbs and see if that helps the squeaking.  If so it could be that the bearings are worn out, dried out, or have a lot of preload.

[Barry]

I do know know how to measure if forks are level. Do not know if oil is same in each one.  

Easy to check.  Remove the filler plugs and drop in a dip stick of some sort until it will go no further.  It will then be sitting on top of the damper piston. Withdraw and measure the depth of oil which should be 35mm + or - 15mm. A length of welding rod makes a good dipstick or even the dipstick out of your car - if it has one.

[montmil]

... A length of welding rod makes a good dipstick or even the dipstick out of your car - if it has one.

Good 'un, Barry. I read your other BMW post.