How to Fix Squeaky Bike Caliper Brakes

Squeaky brakes can drive you crazy. They can scare small animals, children and fellow cyclists and completely ruin your ride. That high-pitched squeal might sound like it's coming from your calipers... which are the arms the brake pads attach to... but it's not. The squeal is actually coming from your brake pads. Brake pads harden and then glaze over. When the glazed pad contacts the rim, instead of stopping it, it slides along the rim generating a loud squeal. It diminishes your stopping power and can result in an accident. You can fix it in minutes with a small emery board.

Things You'll Need

  • Emery boards, (sandpaper fingernail file)
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Instructions

    • 1

      Open the brake calipers on road bikes by pushing the small lever up. The lever is located on the right side where the caliper arm bends 90 degrees. On mountain bikes, pinch the two calipers together with your fingers. Push down on the brake cable to disengage it from a small wire cage.

    • 2

      Hold the emery board with your fingers and insert it between the brake pad and the rim. Sand the pad with an up-and-down motion. Scrub the pad hard until a black residue begins falling out and the emery board is black.

    • 3

      Walk around to the other side of the bike and sand the pad on that side in the same manner. If you have room, depending on the model of your bike, turn the emery board parallel to the pad and sand it again.

    • 4

      Change emery pads if the one you are using becomes clogged with black residue and sand until the pads have a rough look to them.

    • 5

      Hook the brake cables back up.