Squeeky rear brake

My back brake has just started (fairly suddenly, was fine till this weekend, now does it consistantly) to squeak when it's used to bring the bike to a standstill (ie from 10-0mph). It's not squealing, nor is it locking up. The brake "feels" fine in that it's as responsive as usual, so there doesn't appear to be anything wrong with the performance of it. Do I need to clean my pads? Any advice greatly appreciated as it's getting on my nerves

Thanks.

It's probably just the pads moving against the mountings.
Taking them out and putting some copper grease on the back is apparently the solution.
I left mine, I tend to wear earplugs so it doesn't bother me.

Mine started to do this... Remedied as above

Thanks folks. Due a service soon, do you reckon it's worth asking them to have a look at it while they've got it (never removed the brakes before- I tend not to tinker with "life threatening" bits )?

Originally Posted by Ceri JC

Thanks folks. Due a service soon, do you reckon it's worth asking them to have a look at it while they've got it (never removed the brakes before- I tend not to tinker with "life threatening" bits )?

I'm was of the same opinion, so I got a mate around who knows his stuff... It improved my confidence no end... It isn't rocket science, honest

both my brakes squeak... i've not braved tinkering with them

Originally Posted by Iansv

both my brakes squeak... i've not braved tinkering with them

Too much time in here, thats why 11,000+ posts

nah, inconvenient shifts that mean I get no time in the daylight.... and lazy weekends...

should get the haynes out really, but I can put up with it anyway

Originally Posted by Cloggsy

I'm was of the same opinion, so I got a mate around who knows his stuff... It improved my confidence no end... It isn't rocket science, honest

Yes, I'd like to learn to do more stuff like this. I've got a few mates who are trained car mechanics who I use for advise on things like this, but I'd like to have a biker whose done it before handy. Am I right in thinking you don't need to remove hoses/bleed the brakes in order to take the brake mechanisms off? With the grease on the back, is that the back of the pad (eg not where it touches the disc!)? Thanks folks.

Originally Posted by Ceri JC

Yes, I'd like to learn to do more stuff like this. I've got a few mates who are trained car mechanics who I use for advise on things like this, but I'd like to have a biker whose done it before handy. Am I right in thinking you don't need to remove hoses/bleed the brakes in order to take the brake mechanisms off? With the grease on the back, is that the back of the pad (eg not where it touches the disc!)? Thanks folks.

No hoses have to be touched.

Remove the caliper from the forks.

Remove the retaining pin. The one with the R clip through it.

Remove the pads.

Clean them up. There will be a thin metal clip on the back of the pad. Take this off and clean that up as well.

Replace the metal clip. Copper grease on that side, NOT the friction material side.

Reassemble.

It is an easy job (really) as long as the retaining pin ain't seized in the caliper. Before replacing the retaining pin a bit of hi temp grease to stop it seizing is advisable.