[CR]Any advice on how to stop a squeaky virbrating Mafac

(Example: Production Builders:Pogliaghi)

Date: Fri, 9 Nov 2007 18:48:58 +0100 (CET)
From: "Nick March" <nicbordeaux@yahoo.fr>
Subject: [CR]Any advice on how to stop a squeaky virbrating Mafac
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org


Nathan worte: Nathan Cozzolino Subject: Racer? Precedence: list Message: 8 My front has a high pitch squeak some of the time. And when I really squeez e the rear it VIBRATES and SQUEAKS loud. They are a nos set. Any advice?

Hi Nathan, that is a new one to me. Squeak is caused most of the time by the state of your rim walls, eg they are not clean, you have a build-up of rubber. I'd suggest removing the tyres, and depending on how shiny valuable the rims are either using 000 wirewool with paint thinner which will leave metal marking, or very carefully cleaning 'em some other way (avoid abrasive metal polish whatever you do, the pads will pick up the remenants of it and gouge your rims). If that doesn't solve the problem, you have some very, very dry pads which need changing. I personally have never seen mafac pads so dry they squeak but it's possible. Please don't get any paint thinner remotely near any rubber, be it tyre, pads or else !

On the vibration and shudder front, there are two major causes: the most common is undertightening the nut on the "back" end of the brake, eg the bolt which is locking the spindle onto the frame. This nut on centerpull mafacs does not affect brake operation fluidity, only fixation and, this is a big point, centering. Check the rest of the stuff for tightness. I don't know your degree of mechanical proficiency, so I won't insult you by giving useless advice. Except don't overtighten anything or you'll bust the brakes, and/or they'll tighten up and not work. Down to the second cause: out of true back wheel. This sounds stupid, but do check that the wheel is not out of true either through spoke problems or knocks. If you are on steel rims, a corroded but since worn smooth so invisible patch will cause the most horrendous problems, as will a dented alloy rim. Difficult to be more precise on the basis of the info you've supplied.

Whilst at it, you might want to check the angle of the pads and the amount the pad holders are protuding by. The further they are sticking out, the more likely you are to get unbalance and problems. I run mine about 3 mm out at rest when the cable is set up, and angling as little as possible. Easiest way is to hold the pads against the rim via the brake arms, get the things ligned up, then tighten down just enough.

Finally, I am (proudly) renowned throughout the CA Masi community as a dangerous idiot, so you will need to read some other advice before following what I have written.

Nick March, Mont de Marsan, Landes, France

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