Sound at front end under braking/deceleration

[mickvp]

Any one got any idea what the noise at the front end of my bike is. I've not had the bike long but don't remember hearing it when I got it. It is only noticeable when I'm coming to a stop at junctions (but may do it all the time?).

The sound is coming from the front end, front left I think, and sounds like a feint "clacker". The sound speeds up/slows down in relation to road speed, not engine revs etc.

It also seems to come and go slightly depending what's sitcom the wheel is in (so it also cycles louder and quieter depending on where the front wheel is).

It may be nothing, and maybe just road noise from the tyre? Or it may be something..speedometer is working fine too, as I know there are issues with a part in the speed sensor (I've not checked the tabs)

[darrsi]

Brake pad rattle?

[mickvp]

Nah, I don't think so. This sound is too cyclic. Brake pad rattle is a far more random affair.

[Andy FZS]

If you spin the front wheel can you hear or feel anything? As you say the speedo sensor is on the front left and a broken tab does cause strange noises.
Andy

[Dead Eye]

Bearings perhaps? Just throwing it out there...

[Kentish]

Chain to tight?

[mickvp]

If you spin the front wheel can you hear or feel anything? As you say the speedo sensor is on the front left and a broken tab does cause strange noises.
Andy

Hmm. As simple as it sounds now I've not tried spinning the front wheel by hand, I'll do that tonight.

Kentish - I don't think the chains too tight either, got about an inch of free play when the bike is on the side stand, sprocket looks in good nick too, plus the noise definitely sounds like the front (although,mint is from the left)

[mickvp]

I suppose I shouldn't sure out the bearings either dead eye, but it's not the typical whining I would expect to hear, still worth a look I suppose

[Paul]

This isn't very helpful, but my bike started doing the same thing about 10,000 miles ago.


And I don't what it is either.


Although I have to admit it is a little worrying.


It sounds as if there's a raised bit on the disc which clicks as it goes past the pads..... but I can't find a raised bit, although the discs are worn because the bike's done 70,000 miles.

[mickvp]

well mines has just nudged 14k miles, so I dont think its disks either, and I cant see any damage on them. its properly doing my swede in

Its possible its making this noise all the time but i can only hear it when im slowing down because the bike is quieter. think the first step has to be to get the front end in the air and see whats what

[Paul]

If you find out what it is let me know.


Because I've racked my brains and can't figure it out.


I wondered if I'd put the rear stainless steel pad backs on the wrong way round, but couldn't see how this could cause it.


The noise is regular it's as if something/s is catching as the wheel goes round.


And it seems to start doing it when the bike has slowed down quite a bit.


I don't think I get the noise when I'm braking at speed, more when I'm say below fifteen miles an hour and coming to a stop.

[darrsi]

That's why i suggested brake pad chatter, i had a set of pads on some old front calipers that would slightly catch on the disc causing a circular rattle noise.
I've since changed the calipers and it doesn't do it any more.
You can easily test it by moving the wheel on the centre stand and if it is the cause the pads will rise then drop, but obviously at speed it makes a clicking noise.

[mickvp]

Paul -

what your describing is EXACTLY the same as im experiencing. Ive only noticed this noise when stopping or slowing at a slow speed.

Ill take a look at the pads as well Darssi, worth a check for sure as this will likely be something daft.

[Paul]

I got the front wheel off the floor and spun it several times.


I get a faint clicking or clacking (clacking is a better description) noise and it comes from the offside front caliper.


And here's the interesting bit:  It seems to be once every wheel rotation.


And it seems to be when the same point of the disc passes through the pads.


So I checked the offside front disc, and found........ absolutely nothing...... at least not yet.




 

[darrsi]

I got the front wheel off the floor and spun it several times.


I get a faint clicking or clacking (clacking is a better description) noise and it comes from the offside front caliper.


And here's the interesting bit:  It seems to be once every wheel rotation.


And it seems to be when the same point of the disc passes through the pads.


So I checked the offside front disc, and found........ absolutely nothing...... at least not yet.

It can be caused by cheaper, ill fitting pads, grooves in the pad pin stopping the pads from sliding back properly, or even a worn caliper housing.
Start simple and give the pad pins a good clean up, and make sure there aren't any grooves formed from rocking back and forth, then give them a light copper grease and see if it improves at all?

[Paul]

I think I may have a possibly answer.


Discs are warped.


But not warped in that they run out of true from side to side but run out of true up and down.


When I spin the wheel and watch the top of the disc running through the pads it rises and falls, not a lot probably only 1 - 2mm but it definitely is not running true.


Whether it's always been like this I'm not sure.
But as it rises and falls you get the clacking sound at that same point every time.


And, the disc is worn in its surface, again not a lot (maybe only a tenth of 1mm) but the disc surface is not dead flat.
It's got a raised part which runs all the way around it about two thirds the way down from the edge of the disc.


The raised bit of the disc will rise and fall as the disc is no longer perfectly round (or rather doesn't run perfectly round through the pads).
It's possible that it will rock the pads on the pin as it goes through them and hence cause the clacking noise.


It's only a theory.
Let me know what you find.


I suppose on the plus side it doesn't seem to affect the braking and it's been like this for thick end of 10,000 miles.






 

[darrsi]

I think I may have a possibly answer.


Discs are warped.


But not warped in that they run out of true from side to side but run out of true up and down.


When I spin the wheel and watch the top of the disc running through the pads it rises and falls, not a lot probably only 1 - 2mm but it definitely is not running true.


Whether it's always been like this I'm not sure.
But as it rises and falls you get the clacking sound at that same point every time.


And, the disc is worn in its surface, again not a lot (maybe only a tenth of 1mm) but the disc surface is not dead flat.
It's got a raised part which runs all the way around it about two thirds the way down from the edge of the disc.


The raised bit of the disc will rise and fall as the disc is no longer perfectly round (or rather doesn't run perfectly round through the pads).
It's possible that it will rock the pads on the pin as it goes through them and hence cause the clacking noise.


It's only a theory.
Let me know what you find.


I suppose on the plus side it doesn't seem to affect the braking and it's been like this for thick end of 10,000 miles.

Take the pads out and sand down the edges of the pads a little at a 45 degree angle and see if it helps.
 

[Paul]

To Darrsi


Just tried it.


But I still get the same noise


Thus far everything points to the disc.

[darrsi]

As long as your braking is okay, and not juddering at all then it's probably just best to put up with the noise.
Not ideal i know, but it's not hurting anything.

[neil2do]

hi
 
ive not had my fazer long but have had a few odd noises ect, first one sounded like the front wheel bearings turned out it was the front fork oil there was a different weight and level in one fork leg changed oil noise gone, had a noise like a rattle/rumble from my front tyre sounded like there was some thing in the tyre, half a valve rubber,
i would slacken your calipers off a bit spin wheel, no difference  remove your callipers which eliminates two suspects an spin the wheel, slacken wheel off a bit might be over torqued, remove wheel and  check your speedo drive mines cracked and makes a noise some times.
   

[TonyW]

Check for seized or broken bobbins on the disc. If they're seized clean them with brake cleaner and spin them (gently) with a nut and bolt.

[unfazed]

Do you have clip on wheel weights?
It can casue exactly what you describe if they are loose in their holder or the clip is not tight enough
 
 

[Paul]

To Tony W


Do you mean the rivet type things that hold the two parts of the disc together?

[darrsi]

To Tony W


Do you mean the rivet type things that hold the two parts of the disc together?

Yeah, to be honest it's highly unlikely to be the cause of mickvp's problem, but it doesn't hurt to give them a clean up occasionally.
Get the largest size bolt that fits through the holes (if your rivets have holes) then put a nut on the other end and gently do it up with a ring spanner.
It will eventually bite enough to spin the rivet disc. They get dirt in them after a while, so whilst turning the nut you can either use just soapy water or brake cleaner on them and you'll see the crap come out.
Don't use anything oily like WD40 'cos you don't want it on your pads, calipers, discs, etc.

[Paul]

You learn something every day


Thanks