Squealing Brakes -Fix

[Karl]

I have had a problem with (loud!) squealing brakes. I spoke to my Father about how to fix them and apparrently my (mechanic) Grandfathers remedy was to take a file and chamfer the leading and trailing ends of the brake linings. You don't have to take much off them. I did this this afternoon and the brakes are now completely silent!!!

 

[Mike V. Florida]

I always do that when I change linings.

 

[Patrick L.]

Yep, thats SOP..

 

[marc hildebrant]

Why does the chamfer on the linings stop the squeal ?

Marc

 

[TomW]

The squeal is a high-speed chatter of the linings (they resonate). The chamfer allows them to engage smoothly (no chatter).

 

[Bob/Kansas City]

Brake linings should always be arced to fit the drum when they are replaced.
If not arced you may only be contacting the drum surface with the leading and trailing ends of the brake shoe.
Once arced to the diameter of the drum surface you will find that braking performance is much better than with shoes that have not been arced because you are utilizing much more surface area for friction.