How to Fix a Squeaking Bicycle Tire

Squeaking bike tires are among the most annoying of all bike noises. Nine out of 10 times, the squeaking originates from the contact point between the brake pad and the rim of the wheel. It can be loud and frightening each time the brakes are applied, and can even be dangerous because it can mean there is a toe-in or centering position problem between the brake pad and the rim. Another overlooked item that can squeak on a bike tire is the dust cap on the axle.

Things You'll Need

  • Vaseline
  • 5 mm Allen wrench
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Instructions

    • 1

      Turn the bike upside down and balance it on its handlebars. On both sides of the axle, between the fork and the hub, identify a bell-shaped rubber housing. This is a dust cap for the bearing.

    • 2

      Peel the edge of the dust cap back with a screwdriver, and grab it with your fingers. Clean the exposed edge of it on both sides with a soft cloth. Apply a small amount of Vaseline to the edge of the dust cap with your finger, and let the cap spring back into position where it was before. Do this to both sides of both wheels.

    • 3

      Turn the bike upright, and check the brake pad alignment. Get at eye level with the brake pad. The pad should be centered on the rim. If it is not, use the 5 mm Allen wrench to loosen the setscrew holding the brake pad to the bracket. When it comes loose, push the pad up or down to center where it makes contact with the rim. Turn the wrench until the screw is just snug, but not too tight.

    • 4

      Apply pressure to the brake handle for the front brake as you watch the pad make contact with the rim. The front or leading edge of the brake pad should make contact with the rim first, then as you apply more pressure to the brake handle, the back part of the pad should compress until the pad is in full contact with the rim. This leading-edge-first adjustment is called toe-in. Look on both sides as you do this to check your toe-in adjustment.

    • 5

      Bend the caliper arm slightly (the bracket that holds the brake pad) on older bikes to get the leading edge of the pad to touch the wheel first. Apply pressure to the pads, and test again to get this position correct. Bend the arm again if not sufficient.

    • 6

      Loosen the 5 mm setscrew and adjust the leading edge of the brake pad with your fingers on newer road bikes to get the leading edge of the pad to touch the rim first when you apply pressure to the brake handles. Check for positioning, adjust and tighten the setscrew to finish.