Fixing Squeaky Brakes On Your Electric Bike: A Step-By-Step Guide

Squeaky brakes on an electric bike can be caused by a number of issues, including contaminated brake pads, oil, dust, and grease build-up, or glazing of the rotor. The most common solution is to wear off the top layer of the brake pads, which can be done by lightly tapping the brakes while riding or using sandpaper. Regular cleaning of the rotors or wheel rims with an oil-free disc brake degreaser can also help prevent squealing.

Clean your rotors or wheel rims with a disc brake degreaser

To fix squeaky brakes on an electric bike, you need to clean your rotors or wheel rims with a disc brake degreaser. This will help keep your brakes in good condition and prevent squealing.

To do this, you should use a specific oil-free disc brake degreaser. Spray the degreaser onto a clean cloth and wipe down the rotors or wheel rims. Make sure to cover the entire surface and remove any built-up oil, dust, and grease. You can also use a small brush to get into any hard-to-reach areas.

It is important to note that you should not use WD40 on your brakes. While it may seem like a good idea to use a lubricant to reduce the squealing, WD40 can actually reduce friction where it is needed and can break down and destroy electric bike brake components.

In addition to cleaning your rotors or wheel rims, you may also need to clean or replace your brake pads. Over time, the factory coating on the brake pads can build up and cause squealing. To fix this, you can lightly sand the brake pads with fine-grade sandpaper until the surfaces are shiny and free of any visible contaminants. This will help to wear off the top layer of the brake pads and remove any contamination.

Sand your brake pads with fine-grade sandpaper

If your electric bike brakes are squealing, it's likely that there is a build-up of oil, dust, grease or other contaminants on your brake pads. To fix this, you can sand your brake pads with fine-grade sandpaper.

First, you'll need to remove the brake pads from your bike. Use the mini multi-tool included with your bike to remove the front calliper. Unscrew both bolts and carefully remove the calliper. Then, remove the bolt on the calliper with a 3mm Allen key. Remember not to touch the brake pad surfaces with your fingers.

Now you can begin sanding. Use a piece of fine-grade sandpaper to sand the brake pads until the surfaces are shiny and free of any visible contaminants. Keep going until the brake pads are smooth and even, with no rough patches.

This process will help to remove the top layer of the brake pads, which is often where the contamination occurs. As you ride your bike and use the brakes, the brake rotor and brake pads will naturally touch each other and create friction. This friction can cause the brake pads to heat up and burn off any remaining contaminants.

It's important to note that this solution is for contaminated brake pads. If your brake pads are glazed or if you're experiencing other issues with your bike, such as gears that won't shift, you may need to try a different approach or consult a professional.

Avoid touching the brake pad surfaces with your fingers

When fixing squeaky brakes on an electric bike, it is important to avoid touching the brake pad surfaces with your fingers. This is because oil, dust, and grease can build up on the brake pads and rotor, causing squealing. To prevent this, use a mini multi-tool to remove the front calliper and a 3mm Allen Key to remove the bolt on the calliper. Only then should you remove the brake pads.

Once the brake pads are removed, it is important to sand them with fine-grade sandpaper until the surfaces are shiny and free of any visible contaminants. This process will help to remove any built-up oil, dust, or grease and should resolve the squealing noise.

It is worth noting that the factory coating on new brake pads can also cause squealing. This coating needs to "burn off" through a process called bedding in the brake pads. As you ride your electric bike, lightly tap the brakes instead of fully locking on, and over time, the factory coating will wear off, reducing the squealing noise.

By following these steps and avoiding direct contact with the brake pad surfaces, you can effectively resolve squeaky brakes on your electric bike.

Lightly tap the brakes when riding to bed in the brake pads

If you're experiencing squeaky brakes on your electric bike, it's likely due to contaminated brake pads. This can be caused by oil, dust, and grease building up on the pads and rotor. To fix this, you'll need to lightly tap the brakes when riding to bed in the brake pads.

Bedding in the brake pads is a process that helps burn off the factory coating on the pads. This coating can cause the pads to slide against the rotor, resulting in that intense squealing noise. By lightly tapping the brakes, you allow the factory coating to gradually wear off, reducing the noise.

It's important to note that you should avoid fully locking the brakes during this process. Instead, gently tap them to slow down or stop. This will help prevent the pads from becoming contaminated again.

To further reduce the chances of contamination, make sure to regularly clean your rotors or wheel rims using a specific (oil-free) disc brake degreaser. This will help keep your brakes in top shape and reduce the likelihood of squealing.

If your brake pads are severely contaminated, you may need to take additional steps. This can include removing the brake pads and sanding them with fine-grade sandpaper until they are shiny and free of any visible contaminants. However, always remember to avoid touching the brake pad surfaces with your fingers.

Don't use WD40 on your brakes

If your electric bike brakes are squealing, it's likely that there is contamination on the brake pads. This can be caused by oil, dust, and grease building up on the brake pads and rotor. To fix this, you should remove the front calliper and brake pads, and then sand the brake pads with fine-grade sandpaper until the surfaces are shiny and free of any visible contaminants.

Do not use WD40 on your brakes. WD40 is a lubricant that reduces friction, which is the opposite of what you want for your brakes. It can also break down and destroy ebike brake components. Instead, use a specialised product like a disc brake cleaner or chain degreaser to clean your bike.

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