Screeching Front Brakes

Discussion in 'Speed Triple' started by Fitz Brundage, Sep 6, 2018.

  1. Fitz Brundage

    Fitz Brundage Member

    May 11, 2018
    40
    18
    North Carolina
    I wanted to share a recent issue and warranty experience in case it is relevant to anyone else.

    I have a new Speed Triple RS with 1418 miles on it. Since virtually day one the front brakes have squealed once the pads heat up and I lightly engage the brakes. If I grab a handful of front brakes the pads are so compressed that there is no squeak. .Doesn't matter whether the bake pads are wet or dry. Given that I commute on my bike virtually every day and have to feather my brakes a lot in slow traffic the sound is, at the very least, highly irritating. I brought the noise to the attention of my Triumph dealership when I took the bike in for its 500 mile service. The dealer made note of it and requested that I wait to see if the eventually went silent after they were fully seated.

    Well, nearly 1000 miles later and the bakes are still squealing. (Actually, it sounds like metal fingernails slowing screeching down a blackboard.) So I talked to the dealer and Triumph has given approval to replace the rotors, pads, etc. Frankly, I suspect this rebuild is overkill but I do appreciate that Triumph is covering everything. Maybe the dealership figures they get more money for replacing everything than trying to identify the source of the problem.
     
    • Like Like x 2
  2. Clarkey231

    Clarkey231 Noble Member

    Jun 9, 2016
    473
    313
    Exeter
    Mine does this a bit. Think it’s getting better. I was under the impression new bikes don’t have a dab of copper slip on the back of the pads which would probably clear up the issue.
     
  3. Fitz Brundage

    Fitz Brundage Member

    May 11, 2018
    40
    18
    North Carolina
    I assumed as much as well and so figured the dealer would have quick fix. Instead, they want to swap out everything!
     
  4. chuk

    chuk Senior Member
    Subscriber

    Jan 10, 2017
    349
    113
    neilston glasgow
    I’ve previously dabbed coppaslip on pad rears but no longer,seen an ebc video about pad manufacture very interesting,expressly advise not to put anything on back of brake pads and advise absolutely no claims of any warranty whatsoever if anything is applied.
     
  5. Fitz Brundage

    Fitz Brundage Member

    May 11, 2018
    40
    18
    North Carolina
    Good to know. Glad I didn't muck about where I shouldn't.
     
  6. Clarkey231

    Clarkey231 Noble Member

    Jun 9, 2016
    473
    313
    Exeter
    Any particular reason?
     
  7. chuk

    chuk Senior Member
    Subscriber

    Jan 10, 2017
    349
    113
    neilston glasgow
    #7 chuk, Sep 6, 2018
    Last edited: Sep 6, 2018
    It’s debatable I found the video in a link from a guys channel (the workshop) on you tube,it started off as a dig at delboys garage where he advised putting coppaslip grease on pad rears (as recommended by ebc he stated),this is where it got heated guy saying delboy was straight up lying about the ebc advice,the ebc video he showed was against putting anything on pad rears ended up a bit of a rant (not from ebc but workshop channel guy) about how the backing plate is porous etc,etc,phew I hope that explains a bit,btw I’ve used copper grease myself for years so that surprised me,not opening a can of worms as I’m not an expert but ebc do make the pads there was also some comments on heat transfer in the rant.
     
  8. Chewie

    Chewie Member

    Dec 16, 2016
    48
    18
    Melbourne Australia
    I have used copperslip on the rear of pads for years. As well as being effective in stopping pad squeal, if you use a very sparing amount, I cannot see how it could cause a problem. Give it a try....if it doesn't stop the squeal, you can clean it off with brake cleaner and noone will be the wiser.
     
    • Like Like x 1
    • Agree Agree x 1
  9. Clarkey231

    Clarkey231 Noble Member

    Jun 9, 2016
    473
    313
    Exeter
    Ah nice one thanks for taking the time to type all that!

    I will see how it goes but if mine stays the same at some point I’ll pop a little smear on the backs.
     
  10. Rspete

    Rspete Elite Member

    Jun 17, 2018
    1,794
    743
    Durham
    I had the exact same problem with mine...... warranty claimed for a change of pads then discs now its ok..... I took the pads out yesterday and copper slipped them, cos I'm old school.
     
    • Like Like x 2
  11. Fitz Brundage

    Fitz Brundage Member

    May 11, 2018
    40
    18
    North Carolina
    I would be tempted to try this old school solution if Triumph hadn't already pledged to replace pads, etc., etc. Given the advice you all have posted here I have read around on the web and the advice is contradictory.
    I did find one site that I thought had an interesting discussion. although the site is promoting a specific commercial product. For what it is worth, you might find this link interesting:
    https://textar-professional.com/textar-training-center/the-use-of-copper-grease-on-modern-brakes/
     
  12. Rspete

    Rspete Elite Member

    Jun 17, 2018
    1,794
    743
    Durham
    Yeah i looked at that a few days ago, it does make sense..... but my bikes never see rain or salt so all's good, I'll stay old school hahaha
    Must of been a bad batch of pads or discs that's affected out bikes mate, as long as it gets sorted I'm easy.
     
  13. Andymarksonline

    Andymarksonline Well-Known Member

    Aug 26, 2018
    238
    93
    Kent
    Picked my new (Ex Demo) RS up Tuesday, I noticed a squeak from the brakes when I test rode it and mentioned it, the dealer promptly ignored me and it was still squeaking when I picked it up. I took it back to them Friday and they took a look but simply said the screeching is normal and told me not to try anything on the back of the pads.

    Not really sure where to go with this, even my mate could hear it when riding with me through town.
     
  14. Rspete

    Rspete Elite Member

    Jun 17, 2018
    1,794
    743
    Durham
    It's not normal, far from it.... just had mine changed for the exact same reason..... rattling, sqeeking, grinding horrid feel.

    Take no shit mate, it's your hard earned money....they provide a service, not a service to take your money and run.
     
    • Agree Agree x 1
  15. Jonboro

    Jonboro Member

    May 2, 2018
    9
    8
    Middlesbrough
    That's exactly what mine does its so irritating the noise when pulling up
     
  16. Callumity

    Callumity Elite Member

    Feb 25, 2017
    3,358
    800
    Nr Biggar
    I would say it makes SUPERFICIAL sense. The thing is, brake pads are backed with steel and the calliper piston is generally steel riding on a synthetic rubber seal even if the calliper is alloy. The need for galvanic protection first needs to be established. Most of the specialist brake greases are now copper free to be safe.......
    So the issue now is not, as Shakespeare would say “to grease or not to grease” but which grease? Grease damps out the vibrations that cause the noise. £5.19 a 75ml tube at Eurocarparts.
     
    • Like Like x 2
    • Agree Agree x 1
  17. Rspete

    Rspete Elite Member

    Jun 17, 2018
    1,794
    743
    Durham
    Update on brakes..... the copper slip worked great, no sqeeking, chattering or clunking even when manoeuvring around the garage.
    Copper slip may not be the best by today's advances..... but for me the bike never sees rain or bad whether so what's the harm :scream: :blush:
     
    • Like Like x 1
  18. Callumity

    Callumity Elite Member

    Feb 25, 2017
    3,358
    800
    Nr Biggar
    • Like Like x 2
  19. Rspete

    Rspete Elite Member

    Jun 17, 2018
    1,794
    743
    Durham
    Them little corrosion bast@&d's won't get a chance to do that matey :p..... I'm an absolute nut job for servicing, cleaning, maintenance and thanks for the heads up on that product I will give it a try. :)
     
    • Like Like x 1
  20. Andymarksonline

    Andymarksonline Well-Known Member

    Aug 26, 2018
    238
    93
    Kent
    I always use ceratec on my car much better than the old slip...

    Guess I should ignore the dealers advice and use some on the back of the pads?
     
Loading...

Share This Page