A couple weeks ago it was raining a lot, and after riding around in it for a few days, I noticed that the front brake started squeeling when I braked.  It's a '97 with 2800 miles on it, so I assume that the brake pads aren't worn out. My guess was that some dirt or sludge or whatever had gotten lodged in the front brake pad in all the rain. A week later, it was still doing it, so I bought some brake cleaner/lubricant spray and sprayed out the whole thing, making sure it didn't drip on the tire. That fixed it for about a day, but then it started up again. I repeated that a few times. I still have plenty of braking power, but the squealing is really annoying, so I'd like to fix it. Any ideas, guys?


Oh, also, when I shift to first or to second, a lot of times it won't engage. When I try to shift, it feels like I'm trying to press something into a spinning gear, and it just doesn't want to slide in. Third and fourth gear are fine, as is shifting into neutral. Also, sometimes when I down shift into first, it won't shift at all until I release the clutch a little. Usually I squeeze the clutch all the way when I shift.  I asked about this before and someone said something about turning a bolt a couple splines, but I couldn't figure out what that meant.

Thanks guys, you're all awesome. You, a set of wrenches and a little duct tape are what keep me and my pretty little LS650 rolling.

Same problem here.  Good break performance and long pad life generally means squeeky brakes, especially on economy built brake assemblies.  I have a 1998 with 1400 miles on it.

mick wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:11:

i tried 6 differant companys of pads and they all squeak, get a wave or drilled rotor and it will stop,but u really dont need to use front brakes on the savage ,unless you have to do a brake test  and on your clutch,look for the round screw to the right of the clutch handle,unscrew it untill your clutch handle has only a little bit of play.

The brakes on my Savage squeal a bit now and then.  I don't worry about it much, but my understanding (from car experience) is that brakes squeal because the pads are moving in the caliper.  

It's the metal of the backing pad rubbing on the caliper that causes the squeal.  The cure is to use some disc brake anti-squeal compound where the surfaces contact. I use anti-sieze compound on the backs and sliding surfaces of the pads.  You have to be careful not to get the stuff on the friction surfaces.  Don't do it if you are not certain where to put the compound.

Yes some anti-squeal on the back of the pads helps - takes about 5 mins to do

the other thing that helps is to light sand the rotor with some 400-600 grit paper

i haven't looked for it in quite a while, but the auto parts stores used to sell "disc brake quiet" or some name to that effect. it is basically a silicone type material, similar to gasket stuff, that you apply to the back of the disc pads, but specifically formulated to deal with pressure being applied by the calipers. i just bought a new set of rear pads for debby's harley and they squeal, so i'll be going to look for that stuff, i'll let y'all know what i find. her suzuki squeals the rear brake, the front is quiet   ???  

azjay wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:11:


had a pretty good squeal on the back of the '95 - I replace the oem with ebc's cleaned all the dust out of the drum and did a light sand with 600grit - nat a sound since

Yes, you have to pull the whell to acces the rear brake.
Pretty straight forward, I did it without looking at the manual.