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I am out on the trail right now with my ten year old son. I haven’t used my mtb for a number of weeks, and both front and back brakes, though working, are weak, and when applied, howling like a banshee.
is there anything I can do about this while out on the trail?
Shimano Deore discs
When you say weak, do you means levers have loads of travel or lacking power? To get the feel back into the lever pump them loads, & when feeling returns keep them held in (overnight with a zip tie works the best). As for the howling, got any mud, throw some on to clean the crap off the pads? (Cleans pads & discs at home)
Tell me about it, my guide rsc rear just pulls to the bar practically and makes for not much confidence when needed.
So I try my best not to drag it to prevent heat build up so it works bit better when needed but me thinks needs a bleed.
Shitram can forget anymore money from me from now on mind, looks like I'm going back to Hope, unless shimano have sorted their seal issues out... dunno :/
I'll come.over and take a look if you like? Most likely contamination with something, probably some.kind of spray lube or something. Best cleaning technique I have used, better than expensive brake cleaners is to use normal bike cleaner e.g. Muc Off sprayed all over discs and calipers and then ride or push it around a bit operating brakes. Then rinse. Works well for me.
Shimano calipers are notorious for leaking oil.
I used to get this effect, where you put them in the shed working g perfectly, and get them out and they are as described, frequently.
I've fixed mine by replacing with hope. No problems since.
Squirt some water on the disc and pads?
Sounds like contamination, leak or air bubbles.
Tempted to do the same..
Home after a 2wk holiday and rear XT was useless and squealing like a pig.... cleaned up disc with soap, a green pad and replaced disc pads. So far so good.
what Hopes for a big lad heavy on the brakes?????
I'm using tech x2 calipers which have been fine with 200mm front rotor. I'm no skinny racing snake.
Tdog - here you go
In my experience, Deore brakes don't last long at all before the pistons leak and they are ready for the bin. The leaks are hard to spot but if you see oily residue in the pad area not long after a clean up then that's likely to be the problem. Poor power & howling often caused by contaminated pads. You can temporarily improve things a little by cleaning pads & discs with IPA. XT can squeal as well but I've not had the piston leak problem (yet)