Topic: Squealing Front Brake Fix. . .

[stueveone]

4 years later and I finally have a solution to the dreaded front brake squeal. . .

Here's what I did:
1. Remove front caliper (k0-k6) and throw it in the garbage.
2. Install later model K7-K8 caliper.
3. Ride all day long and actually be able to use your front brake.  

It's really that easy. Those first generation calipers are whack. I literally tried everything to get my bike to stop squealing: notched and beveled brake pads, rebuilt caliper with new piston, 2 sets of brake pads, nylon washers, anti-squeal paste, anti-squeal adhesive strips, new tension spring, lubing caliper arm pivot, cleaning brakes with acetone and not araesol cleaner, drilled rotor, new EBC fully floating rotor. . .
Nothing works.

So after speaking with Mike at Vintage Brake, who mentioned that you can get kick ass Ferodo platinum brake pads for later model 750 calipers, I decided to swap up to a K8 caliper. Got it powder coated, new piston, speed bleeder, stainless steel bolts from the UK, and EBC pads (the ferodo pads are still backordered unfortunately) and I am stopping like a champion, a silent, no squealing champion. I can't tell you guys how good it feels. Not only does the brake not squeal, but removal is easier (no threading a wrench through spokes to get at at the bolts) and with the bigger piston, stopping power has improved. I can't wait to see how those Ferodo pads are going to perform! I'll keep you posted.

[BobbyR]

I will have to wait for the Ferado pads since my K8 squeals like a MF

[HondaMan]

Did the garbage men come yet?
I could use a good K6 brake caliper. 

[sniper1]

Will those work on a '77 550? My brakes are squealing like pigs!!!! I've tried everything I can think of. I like the idea of throwing them in the garbage.

[HondaMan]

Will those work on a '77 550? My brakes are squealing like pigs!!!! I've tried everything I can think of. I like the idea of throwing them in the garbage.

Use Fedoro pads. 

[Skunk Stripe]

I rely on luck. So far my pads rarely squeal ever.

[malcolmgb]

Squeeling brakes tell people you are there, and who will see your embarassed smile inside a helmet

[nancy]

I have some doubts about the later series caliper being the sole cure here. My bike is primarily a K2 but has a K7 caliper and front forks. I fitted new pads (cheapos) and they squeal like billy-o. Haven't been able to remedy - but haven't worried too much. The old set of pads did squeal but a LOT less.

[wick]

   cb750kII
``` well  --- so your telling - me--  these- bikes squelled like  kamikazes  ```    off the showroom floor--?  brand new-------  wtf~!@?

[HondaMan]

In the last few years, the culprit has been the $5 brake pads out there from EBC. They are a dark charcoal color. EBC offers a kit called ASK-1 for asking them, which works well: I've installed several and the only remaining squeak happens when the bikes are rolled around slowly or backward, and it's not real loud.

[Nikkisixx]

I will have to wait for the Ferado pads since my K8 squeals like a MF

I'm with Bobby on this one, my '78 sings to a stop.  I don't think the later model hardware was the fix. 

[madmtnmotors]

My 78' CB750K will also squeal like a pig from time to time. Disc brakes in general are naturally prone to squeal. You have been fortunate enough to break the harmonics that were causing your issue. Congrats.

[HondanutRider]

This seems to be a common problem with these brakes.  The following is a copy of what I've posted before back in May, and I still find it still is working good.

I have the CB350F which is essentially the same front brake system that you have, as well as the same on many Hondas of the same era with disc brakes.  I also experienced a dragging of the front disc even after I had rebuilt the master and caliper.  After some further research and investigation, I believe I found how to cure this problem - at least it has worked for me!

In my case, I was pretty sure the master was working fine, and the lines were also good as I had put on new ones.  It was the caliper that always seemed to drag and never fully release.  So, here's what I did for success:

1.  Carefully cleaned and reassembled the piston with fresh brake fluid, bottoming it out in the cylinder.  This cleaning paid particular attention to the sealing ring - a rubber squared-o-ring in the cylinder, ensuring that the cylinder groove that it resides in was free of any debris.

2.  Smeared a small amount of dielectric grease around the upper rim of the piston, as it was resting fully into the cylinder.  Worked some of this grease down the cylinder wall around the top of the piston to force a bit down to the rubber sealing ring.

3.  Coated the metal backing plate of the brake pad that fits on top of the piston with some anti-seize compound, so that it would continue to slide in and out easily within the caliper body where it sits.

4.  Applied some high-heat silicone to the back of both brake pads.  On the outside one, which is on top of the piston, this silicone helps to keep the phenol washer in place, and on the both pads, it helps to keep them stuck to their respective sides.

5.  Lubricated the pivot hinge for the caliper mount on the fork.

6.  Adjusted the caliper as per the manual.  Bled and pumped the fluid.

This seems to have resolved my dragging front disc, as the brake comes on solid and releases fully after each application.  BTW I use DOT4 fluid as it has a higher tolerance for temperature and I also believe it is less prone to water absorption.  (Honda actually recommended this replacement later on after DOT3 fluid had initially been specified and used in their brake systems.  DOT4 is compatible with systems designed for DOT3; it just should be a complete replacement, not a mixture.)

[stueveone]

Did the garbage men come yet?
I could use a good K6 brake caliper. 

Not yet, how's bout I trade you for a copy of your book 

[Bluegreen]

I drilled my rotors, haven't heard a squeak since.

[stueveone]

Well, 160 miles later ripping up and down California HWY 1 and the front end is still pretty quiet. It squeaks a bit at the first stop sign I hit out of my neighborhood when the brakes are cold, but then goes silent. So, I don't know. It seems this new caliper, or different caliper maybe, did the trick for me. But I can tell you with out a doubt, that stopping power has increased. And that is with crappy EBC pads. So, I think it's still worth swapping out.
We'll see once I get my hands on the Ferodo pads (which you can only get with the later model calipers as well)

Cheers,
stueve

[HawaiiMike]

Ferodo pads by themselves won't cure the problem.  I rebuilt my caliper with Kevin 400F's phenolic piston and the brakes are still noisy.  I ended up cutting a piece of inner tube in a circle and put it between the piston and the brake pad.  That greatly reduced the squealing and made the brakes feel spongy. 

I think the rotor may need to be turned.  I didn't want to drill holes in it to keep the stock look.

[albertaboy]

4 years later and I finally have a solution to the dreaded front brake squeal. . .

Here's what I did:
1. Remove front caliper (k0-k6) and throw it in the garbage.
2. Install later model K7-K8 caliper.
3. Ride all day long and actually be able to use your front brake.  

It's really that easy. Those first generation calipers are whack. I literally tried everything to get my bike to stop squealing: notched and beveled brake pads, rebuilt caliper with new piston, 2 sets of brake pads, nylon washers, anti-squeal paste, anti-squeal adhesive strips, new tension spring, lubing caliper arm pivot, cleaning brakes with acetone and not araesol cleaner, drilled rotor, new EBC fully floating rotor. . .
Nothing works.

So after speaking with Mike at Vintage Brake, who mentioned that you can get kick ass Ferodo platinum brake pads for later model 750 calipers, I decided to swap up to a K8 caliper. Got it powder coated, new piston, speed bleeder, stainless steel bolts from the UK, and EBC pads (the ferodo pads are still backordered unfortunately) and I am stopping like a champion, a silent, no squealing champion. I can't tell you guys how good it feels. Not only does the brake not squeal, but removal is easier (no threading a wrench through spokes to get at at the bolts) and with the bigger piston, stopping power has improved. I can't wait to see how those Ferodo pads are going to perform! I'll keep you posted.

Hey guys

Will a K8 caliper bolt up to the K0-K6 caliper holder?  I ask as it Looks like the part numbers are different. Thanks.

[nancy]

I just pulled out my cheapo (but still near new with 1,00km on them) pads and put in a new set of "sintered" Italian made pads - these were about twice the price at NZ$45. Not a sound from them in 300km...silent and smooth and stop better than the others which were an "organic" blend.
regards
Mark

[wick]

 

sweet where--ed= you get?

[fastbroshi]

Well, 160 miles later ripping up and down California HWY 1 and the front end is still pretty quiet. It squeaks a bit at the first stop sign I hit out of my neighborhood when the brakes are cold, but then goes silent. So, I don't know. It seems this new caliper, or different caliper maybe, did the trick for me. But I can tell you with out a doubt, that stopping power has increased. And that is with crappy EBC pads. So, I think it's still worth swapping out.
We'll see once I get my hands on the Ferodo pads (which you can only get with the later model calipers as well)

Cheers,
stueve

You didn't mention your front rotor isn't stock.  Looks like the EBC version.

[dave500]

i got a large sharpening stone and took all the glaze of my disc,it wasnt grooved badly though so it went flat real easy.

[fasturd]

OK. I have to say I have my doubts that the caliper switch reduced the squeeling. I think you got lucky and dislodged a piece of junk blocking the tiny hole in the master or the new caliper was just way more clean than your old one.

It is critical to get the sealing ring groove absolutely clean. And as stated before use silicone brake grease to lube and seal the caliper.

I am no where near Hondamans expertise but I have rebuilt about 2 dozen SOHC front ends and none of mine squeel at all.

I will also say I have no experiance with the EBC pads. I have used original clean or NOS pads on all the bikes and never had a squeal after they were rebuilt and this is after track days and very agressive back roads riding. I think EBC is the main problem in this thread.

[wardenerd]

which forodo pads? there are several different compounds.  MY brakes squeek after drilled rotor and rebuilt master cylinder and rebuilt caliper. Squeek will drive you crazy

[MCRider]

I may not be the king of logic, but i do try to apply it sincerely to problems. As has been stated, if the stock setup didn't squeal from the factory, why would it take a change in hardware to get a used one to stop squealing? The squealing arose either from some part getting worn like the rotor, or changed out, like the pucks.

I'm happy for those who have found relief from their squeal by changing the hardware, like drilling a rotor, or changing out the caliper. But does it make sense that was the problem?

Personally I think the rotor is to blame for most of the squeals. It is the hardest part to do anything about. But getting it resurfaced would be my bet to the fix. Assuming all other parts are OEM and in good shape. If the pucks have been changed then all bets are off.