Sqealing front brake

[thop_imp]

I haven't posted in a long time but I was compelled to share my experience with the squealing front brake on my 2017 CB1100EX. I recall several other members had complained about the issue of the EX front brake squealing with light brake pressure applied when coming to a stop or making a slow turn. I went through all of the normal brake related cures, trying to fix the problem but nothing seemed to affect it. I tried several brake pads, coated the back of the pads with "anti-squeal" and burnished the disks with steel wool occasionally. I've had the calipers off several times during tire replacements and cleaned them each time. I also religiously "bled" the brakes every couple of years but it did not effect the noise. The bike has 38000 miles on it and had just started leaving signs of failing fork seals, so I made an appointment to replace the seal, bushings and oil. Of course, the forks have no drain plug (like my '94 BMW GSPD), and the manual does not address fork oil changes, so the oil in the forks remain unchanged until seals are changed.

After the seals were changed, I took the bike on a 100 mile shake down to make sure the seals worked and was shocked to discover the squealing from front brake was now gone. Since I never experienced the problem with my 2013, I attributed the squealing to the new dual bending valve Showa front fork. Was it the changing of the seals, or new oil, or even the bushings that effected the noise? I'm assuming it was the new oil but since I had them all done at the same time it may be open to conjecture. Ride safe...Terry

[mvk24_imp]

I haven't posted in a long time but I was compelled to share my experience with the squealing front brake on my 2017 CB1100EX. I recall several other members had complained about the issue of the EX front brake squealing with light brake pressure applied when coming to a stop or making a slow turn. I went through all of the normal brake related cures, trying to fix the problem but nothing seemed to affect it. I tried several brake pads, coated the back of the pads with "anti-squeal" and burnished the disks with steel wool occasionally. I've had the calipers off several times during tire replacements and cleaned them each time. I also religiously "bled" the brakes every couple of years but it did not effect the noise. The bike has 38000 miles on it and had just started leaving signs of failing fork seals, so I made an appointment to replace the seal, bushings and oil. Of course, the forks have no drain plug (like my '94 BMW GSPD), and the manual does not address fork oil changes, so the oil in the forks remain unchanged until seals are changed.

After the seals were changed, I took the bike on a 100 mile shake down to make sure the seals worked and was shocked to discover the squealing from front brake was now gone. Since I never experienced the problem with my 2013, I attributed the squealing to the new dual bending valve Showa front fork. Was it the changing of the seals, or new oil, or even the bushings that effected the noise? I'm assuming it was the new oil but since I had them all done at the same time it may be open to conjecture. Ride safe...Terry

Very interesting! I think I had a little bit of a squeak sometimes when I had the brake pulsing. Is went away after I changed rotors so my front rotors were warped in my case.

2014 CB1100, 1981 KZ440 LTD, 1993 Yamaha XJ600 Seca, 1994 Yamaha XJ600 Seca

[pdedse]

I haven't posted in a long time but I was compelled to share my experience with the squealing front brake on my 2017 CB1100EX. I recall several other members had complained about the issue of the EX front brake squealing with light brake pressure applied when coming to a stop or making a slow turn. I went through all of the normal brake related cures, trying to fix the problem but nothing seemed to affect it. I tried several brake pads, coated the back of the pads with "anti-squeal" and burnished the disks with steel wool occasionally. I've had the calipers off several times during tire replacements and cleaned them each time. I also religiously "bled" the brakes every couple of years but it did not effect the noise. The bike has 38000 miles on it and had just started leaving signs of failing fork seals, so I made an appointment to replace the seal, bushings and oil. Of course, the forks have no drain plug (like my '94 BMW GSPD), and the manual does not address fork oil changes, so the oil in the forks remain unchanged until seals are changed.

After the seals were changed, I took the bike on a 100 mile shake down to make sure the seals worked and was shocked to discover the squealing from front brake was now gone. Since I never experienced the problem with my 2013, I attributed the squealing to the new dual bending valve Showa front fork. Was it the changing of the seals, or new oil, or even the bushings that effected the noise? I'm assuming it was the new oil but since I had them all done at the same time it may be open to conjecture. Ride safe...Terry

Interesting! After reading of others having continued sqealing despite efforts, I never even tried much for my '17ex...just grew to accept it. I often wondered if it had something to do with the '17 spoke wheels, and slightly different front hub; specifically if the design is was produced a "harmonic squeal". I say this because light braking at slow speed produces a certain musical pitch, but if I then brake harder, the pitch goes down an ocatve. Maybe this summer I'll try a fork oil change and nothing else to see if I can confirm / disprove your theory.

[mvk24_imp]

I haven't posted in a long time but I was compelled to share my experience with the squealing front brake on my 2017 CB1100EX. I recall several other members had complained about the issue of the EX front brake squealing with light brake pressure applied when coming to a stop or making a slow turn. I went through all of the normal brake related cures, trying to fix the problem but nothing seemed to affect it. I tried several brake pads, coated the back of the pads with "anti-squeal" and burnished the disks with steel wool occasionally. I've had the calipers off several times during tire replacements and cleaned them each time. I also religiously "bled" the brakes every couple of years but it did not effect the noise. The bike has 38000 miles on it and had just started leaving signs of failing fork seals, so I made an appointment to replace the seal, bushings and oil. Of course, the forks have no drain plug (like my '94 BMW GSPD), and the manual does not address fork oil changes, so the oil in the forks remain unchanged until seals are changed.

After the seals were changed, I took the bike on a 100 mile shake down to make sure the seals worked and was shocked to discover the squealing from front brake was now gone. Since I never experienced the problem with my 2013, I attributed the squealing to the new dual bending valve Showa front fork. Was it the changing of the seals, or new oil, or even the bushings that effected the noise? I'm assuming it was the new oil but since I had them all done at the same time it may be open to conjecture. Ride safe...Terry

Interesting! After reading of others having continued sqealing despite efforts, I never even tried much for my '17ex...just grew to accept it. I often wondered if it had something to do with the '17 spoke wheels, and slightly different front hub; specifically if the design is was produced a "harmonic squeal". I say this because light braking at slow speed produces a certain musical pitch, but if I then brake harder, the pitch goes down an ocatve. Maybe this summer I'll try a fork oil change and nothing else to see if I can confirm / disprove your theory.

Interesting! After reading of others having continued sqealing despite efforts, I never even tried much for my '17ex...just grew to accept it. I often wondered if it had something to do with the '17 spoke wheels, and slightly different front hub; specifically if the design is was produced a "harmonic squeal". I say this because light braking at slow speed produces a certain musical pitch, but if I then brake harder, the pitch goes down an ocatve. Maybe this summer I'll try a fork oil change and nothing else to see if I can confirm / disprove your theory. I would like to hear the youngings make one of those EDM songs now using only the sounds and musical notes from the 17 CB !

2014 CB1100, 1981 KZ440 LTD, 1993 Yamaha XJ600 Seca, 1994 Yamaha XJ600 Seca

[GoldOxide_imp]

Sometimes the ol' 2014 model I had the brakes squealed, but mostly the rear disk under rather damp, warm morning or evening conditions.

The 2014 Honda CB1100 was the only bike I owned where the brake disks would squeal, but not often.

[Klamathonian_imp]

The fix could easily have been proper fork alignment and balance of equal amounts of oil...

[thop_imp]

Thanks Klamathonian. I'm sure misalignment of the forks, and unequal oil, would cause the problem. Unfortunately the squealing began early in the bike's mileage (5000 miles), before anything had been touched. It's probably not unheard of that the bike might come from the factory with shortcomings like that but I pretty much discounted them. At any rate, the squealing is gone now, and I'll probably never know what caused it for sure. It's interesting to note some Bloore Triumph Bonneville's had a similar problem with squealing front brakes. I seem to recall washers had to installed between the disk and wheel. I assume washers had to be installed between the caliper and fork to retain the alignment. Thanks for the reply Klamathonian.

[pdedse]

Thanks Klamathonian. I'm sure misalignment of the forks, and unequal oil, would cause the problem. Unfortunately the squealing began early in the bike's mileage (5000 miles), before anything had been touched. It's probably not unheard of that the bike might come from the factory with shortcomings like that but I pretty much discounted them. At any rate, the squealing is gone now, and I'll probably never know what caused it for sure. It's interesting to note some Bloore Triumph Bonneville's had a similar problem with squealing front brakes. I seem to recall washers had to installed between the disk and wheel. I assume washers had to be installed between the caliper and fork to retain the alignment. Thanks for the reply Klamathonian.

Mine began very early, at about 500 miles.

[thop_imp]

Thanks for your reply too pdedse. 500 miles is the earliest I've seen. Let us know if changing the fork oil solves the problem.

[dave]

My 1976 Honda CB750F, which I purchased new, front brake squealed incredibly loud. I had it back to the dealer twice for this issue, and they were not able to fix it. I tried all of the fixes you mentioned, and while they helped, nothing completely cured the issue. It was finally after replacing the pads several thousand miles later, and applying break sealant to the back of the pads, did the squealing finally subside. I say subside because they would still make some noise occasionally, but nothing like they did when initially new. I think Honda must have changed the material of the brake pads.