Hayes Disc brake squeaks

[StratGuy]

I just got my hayes hydraulic disc brakes bled at woodside bike shop 3 weeks ago and have only ridden it around the street and now every time i press the rear brake it squeaks like it has no fluid, but i know it does! Any suggestions? Did they use the wrong fluid?whatever?

[crashnscar]

Squeaking wouldnt mean no fluid. It's probably that your pads or rotor are contaminated, OR your pads are worn and you need new ones.

If there was no more fluid then it wouldnt even grab. I doubt that they would use the wrong fluid....

WSBS, if you read this.... Did you use Dot 4? Dot 5?

[StratGuy]

Thanks for the response this is my first pair of hydros. and i dont know much about them and on the website it didnt have any info on if they were squeaking. I bought my bike used and i dont know if the guy ever changed the pads, also how often should you change the pads? I thought it should about every year or so. Thanks much for the info.

[crashnscar]

Changing pads depends how much you ride and how much breaking you do.... just whenever it gets low....

I got a Da Bomb Sputnik framefor sale (hardtail dj frame)... pm me if your interested

[BRacing]

Dot 3 and Dot 4 brake fluid can be used in Hayes brake systems. I would suggest Valvoline in the grey/gold bottle. Cheap, with a very high wet boiling point.

Dot 5 cannot be used in bicycle applications, and should not be used in general cars. It is a silicone-based fluid that does not absorb moisture, has a low boiling point, poor pedal/lever feel, and is just a PITA to deal with. Plus it's very hard to get. It is made for the priceless show cars that never get driven, because they don't see actual use and it won't damage paint or cause rust.

Having said all this, the new DOT 5.1 *IS* compatable with all Dot 3/4 fluids and systems. But it is EXTREMELY expensive, and needs to be changed frequently (IE: weekly).

I have extensive brake fluid experience with racing cars.

-Brad

stratguy1618, would you be interested in trading your hayes hydros for my avid mechanicals? I'd probably include cash too, PM if your interested. You wouldnt have to deal with all the fluid and mechanicals are much easier to deal with, and the avid mechacnicals are practically as powerful and good as hayes.

-Josef

[StratGuy]

Sorry i clelaned them with rubbing alochol and now they stop squeaking, plus i already have a pair of avids laying around so i dont need any more. Sorry