front brakes problem

[xlewisbdx]

So my front brakes have been squeaking for a couple of months now but there is still brake pad on the because erm..they work 


Recently they have started making a crunching type of noise when I am riding along (not using the brake) before anyone says check the front brakes I plan on doing that tomorrow (today) and also sometimes in the morning when I come to start the bike I have to pump them normally I press them about 3-4 times for them to feel normal.


Anyway, any ideas/suggestions?

[darrsi]

Ooooh, pumping brakes is a different story, a "possible" warped disc spreads the pads so you need to grab the brakes to make them function.
I'm genuinely pissed now, ask me again tomorrow!!!

[Dead Eye]

Just to throw it out there, you could have a leak in the brake lines somewhere which requires you to pump the lever to get pressure back in to the lines. Check the reservoir and the joins to see if you are losing fluid.

Other than that, darrsi's suggestion of a warped disc is quite likely

[darrsi]

It's hard to warp a disc with general street use, but not as hard as me trying to write this text 

[stevierst]

If its just before you set off, its back to the sticky piston thing. If it carries in throughout your ride then it could be a number of things. Leak/warped disk/master cylinder etc, etc.....

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[Gnasher]

So my front brakes have been squeaking for a couple of months now but there is still brake pad on the because erm..they work 


Recently they have started making a crunching type of noise when I am riding along (not using the brake) before anyone says check the front brakes I plan on doing that tomorrow (today) and also sometimes in the morning when I come to start the bike I have to pump them normally I press them about 3-4 times for them to feel normal.


Anyway, any ideas/suggestions?

 
Common fault this and as all the hallmarks of pad/s sticking in the caliper body, it's more than likely just one caliper and one pad that said it could be both and in the extreme all the pads.  There is a small clearance between the pad and the caliper body which is necessary so the pads can be fitted and move when the brake is applied and released.  The caliper being made of aluminium and pad of steal doesn't help and poorly cared for calipers suffer grooving, this problem is made worse by certain aftermarket pads being slightly smaller than OE which allows them to twist more accelerate the wear and eventually lock against the caliper body. Once these grooves reach a certain depth any pad is at risk of locking in extreme cases caliper must be replaced.
Tell tail signs are: noise, spongy or wooden brake feel, lack of power, pads not dropping when the retaining pins are pulled and having to lever the pads.
It's also possible you've got sticking or stuck pistons!
     

[xlewisbdx]

Thanks for the suggestions.


As it is my brakes and I am not that confident, the furthest I am willing to go is take the caliper off and check the pads. I will check for signs of leaking in the caliper and from the brake lines.


Any other suggestions?


EDIT: How would I see if I have a warped disk?


Also my disk isn't hot after a ride which to me suggests it isn't binding.

[Gnasher]

Matey if your that unsure dont touch them get someone who know's to look at them for you.

[Chris]

Matey if your that unsure dont touch them get someone who know's to look at them for you.

+1 if you're not sure then don't touch them. get someone who knows what they're doing and watch and learn from them.
 
If they were binding they'd more likely be hotter than usual and you're bike would feel slower as you'd effectively be riding with the brakes on 
 
You shouldn't need to take off the calipers to remove the pads to check for wear either 
 
Having to pump the brake means the pads aren't coming into contact with the discs straight away, this combined with the squeeling you've mentioned would indicate to me that your pads are worn and need changed. Or than you don't have enough fluid in the system, either because of a leak or the reservoir not being filled enough when new pads were put in last.
 
Chris

[Gnasher]

 or the reservoir not being filled enough when new pads were put in last.
 
Chris

Top tip NEVER top up fluid during normal use or at a pad change, unless youve changed the fuild too.
 
If the fuild is moving out of the min/max range it's leaking  

[Chris]

 or the reservoir not being filled enough when new pads were put in last.
 
Chris

Top tip NEVER top up fluid during normal use or at a pad change, unless youve changed the fuild too.
 
If the fuild is moving out of the min/max range it's leaking

Good tip