'Pinging' front brake disc

[MartinW148]

Took the bike out for ride last night. It was only a short but fairly aggressive ride (for me at least), coming home I noticed the front disc making an odd 'pinging' sound.

It didn't affect the performance and the sound would disappear if I used the front brake, so I assume this is loose pads, collecting with the disc?

The disc looks straight and once I stopped, gave the disc a quick once over, felt tight and not overly hot?

Any ideas???????

 

[Gary]

or the spring. or debris or a damaged disc etc.

simply look between the caliper/pads while slowly spinning the wheel/disc to see/find what's causing it.

oh... and check for an uncentred/sticky piston if there's nothing obviously contacting the disc and the rotor is pretty straight.

 

[MartinW148]

or the spring. or debris or a damaged disc etc.

simply look between the caliper/pads while slowly spinning the wheel/disc to see/find what's causing it.

oh... and check for an uncentred/sticky piston if there's nothing obviously contacting the disc and the rotor is pretty straight.

Pinging definitely sounds like it could be spring related.

I did do a quick visual check (check if the disc is warped, pad collecting the disc etc.) with no obvious result. Looks like it might be a strip down, clean and reassemble, check bolt tightness.

M

 

[Gary]

Do a proper visual check. listen too.
I find putting a piece of white A4 paper below the caliper (but out of the way of the rotor) helps to see trueness and if anything is touching where it shouldn't.
if the noise is happening at the exact same point every time you turn the wheel it's not something that's not tight. it's something "pinging" as the disc passes the caliper/pads/spring

one of these is a really handy little tool for getting rid of pings quickly (and aligning the caliper and evening out/centering piston advance)

Birzman Clam Disc Brake Measurer | Tredz Bikes

 

[SquireRides]

Usually the first sign that my pads will need changing soon...

 

[MartinW148]

Usually the first sign that my pads will need changing soon...

How long do a set of pads last you? And yes I know that's like asking how long's a piece of string

 

[SquireRides]

I'm pretty heavy on the brakes (i like to enjoy the scenery going past really slowly) and mostly do very hilly rides. I probably get about 500-600 miles out of a pair of brake pads. Commuting on the mostly-flat, you'd get a lot further.

 

[MartinW148]

I'm pretty heavy on the brakes (i like to enjoy the scenery going past really slowly) and mostly do very hilly rides. I probably get about 500-600 miles out of a pair of brake pads. Commuting on the mostly-flat, you'd get a lot further.

Thanks,

I'm less than a couple of hundred miles in, but I guess it can't hurt to take them out and take a look.

 

[Gary]

You don't need to remove your pads to assess wear. it's easier to see when the wheel is out though (no disc between the pads)

 

[Bearing Man]

This can happen if your bike is set up for chamfered pads and you put flat pads in. On some brake set-ups the pads are chamfered or ground away slightly on the edges, so that once the pad has worn away this chamfer it makes a pinging noise as the pad just starts catching the disc 'spokes'. It's an early warning system if you like.
If you put non chamfered pads in, you will get this noise happen quite quickly and normally starts under hard braking.

 

[MartinW148]

This can happen if your bike is set up for chamfered pads and you put flat pads in. On some brake set-ups the pads are chamfered or ground away slightly on the edges, so that once the pad has worn away this chamfer it makes a pinging noise as the pad just starts catching the disc 'spokes'. It's an early warning system if you like.
If you put non chamfered pads in, you will get this noise happen quite quickly and normally starts under hard braking.

It's all standard stuff that came with the bike. Rode it again today, same thing but i'm now not sure if it's front or rear. Still can't see anything obvious, might try the LBS