Intermittent rubbing of the bicycle disc brake each turn of the wheel usual indicates that the disc brake rotor is bent or is “out of true.” If we look down at the rotor, we can see it rub against the brake pad as we rotate the bike wheel. Let see how we can fix this.
Before you begin working on the disc brake rotor, release the quick release or through axle and make sure the wheel is fully seated in the drop outs and the quick release or thru axle is tight. Next make sure the rotor bolts are tight, being careful in that the rotor is very sharp. Also check that the bolts of your mounting hardware are tightly in place. If this doesn’t solve the problem, the rotor may be bent. This could be a result of “overheating” when the brakes are constantly applied or the result of a crash.
DIY: Try to get a good look at the rotor between the brake pads and also listen. If the rotor is out of true, you’ll see and hear the rotor intermittently hit the brake pad. Here’s how to true the rotor.
It is important to keep the rotors free of any grease including that from your hands so I suggest using some nitrate gloves. To straighten the rotor, we’ll need several items. A black marker pen and either an adjustable wrench or something like the Park Rotor Truing Tool which we have here. If you use an adjustable wrench or plumbers wrench, make sure it’s clean and free of grease and grime.
Mark the rotor (away from the part that come in contact with the pads) with the marker to keep track of where it is rubbing. Use your Park rotor truing tool or adjustable wrench to bend the rotor ever so slightly away from the pad where it rubs (either inward or toward you). Keep working you’re way around until the rotor applying very light pressure with your tool.
Work very slowly, noting where the rotor is rubbing and use just a very minimal pressure to just slightly bend the rotor. Note the markings so after a test spin, you can go back to the same area (or another) if necessary. Repeat until the rotor no longer makes contact with the pads.
If you can true the rotor or if it’s really ”wavy,” you may have overheated the rotor or it got severally bent due to a crash or from a rock and you should probably replace the rotor.
Checking bicycle noise can lessen wear, prevent on the road disasters, and improve performance. It should also be part of your maintenance routine.
This break noise Can both be annoying and can affect Breaking performance so we’re going to Address some of these issues in upcoming Videos here’s our first one Intermittent rubbing of the rotor of the Disc brakes against the disc pads each Wheel rotation let’s listen closely Usually signifies that the rotor itself May be out of true just like a wheel can Be out of true I put a white sheet underneath the bike So we can get a good look at the rotor Centered between the pads but as I turn The wheel You can see it’s now hitting The left PAD as I turn it further See it appears to be centered Turn it a little bit further here it Appears to be hitting the right side of The pad that’s what makes the noise Before you begin working on the rotor Take the bike out of the stand Release the quick release if that’s what You have on there make sure the Wheel is completely centered in the drop Bounce tighten the quick release if you Have a through axle make sure that it’s Nice tight make sure the bolts that hold The rotor in place Are tight Ening the bolts and centering the wheel May solve your problem if not time to See if we can true the rotor blade
Itself It’s important to keep the rotors free Of any grease including that from your Hands and we suggest using a nitrate or Latex gloves whenever you’re working on The rotor In order to straighten our True the rotor one can use a crescent Wrench preferably if you have one Smaller but it has a nice smooth inner Surface When you’re grabbing the rotor you’re Not going to leave some kind of Indentations Or you can use a park rotor truing tool This is a tt2 Has two parts one for fine adjustments One for more Greater adjustments of the rotor and Finally Sharpie Marker in order to Mark the rotor and Know where you are what’s hitting and be Able to go back to that point just like We use it on showing a wheel With your indelible marker you can mark The rotor for future reference Staying away from the area that contacts The pads Etc all the way around we’ll show you How to use these markings later in the Video Find yourself a good position where you Can look down sitting on a stool at the Rotor between the pads put the sheet
Down so I can see it a little bit easier I’m going to use my Park Tool And the as I rotate the wheel I look for Areas that appears to have some contact With the pad Right in here So I’ll move this a little bit this area And I’m going to gently Use the tool to or your crescent wrench Whatever you have to gently push it away From the pad don’t use a lot of force do It very gently and continue wherever it Seems to be hitting Working your way around solely if it’s Hitting that bad sitting on this side We’ll move the rotor but again Easy gentle Movements until the pad Until the rotor appears to be centered Between the pads all the way around You can also use the numbering on the Outside while you’re looking and Listening can spin the wheel right about In here Right there I’m getting a little bit of Rubbing on the outside left hand pad This is corresponds to number six So I’ll take my Straightening device in this case the Park Tool and I’ll bend it just hitting On this pad so I want to bend it away so I’ll just slight Spin again Still rubbing on number six
Right there Again I’m going to bend it away from The left hand pad towards the center of The wheel Now keep working on that solely as well As any other points that seem to rub Using light pressure until I get it Chewed and straightened If the rotor is more severely bent I can Use this end which you can see when you Apply it to any part of the rotor will Give you more torque and allow you a Greater degree of bending I don’t often Use that try to stick when I can with The longer Edge and small amounts of Pressure on the rotor Okay let’s watch and listen closely Looks like it’s centered well and I Don’t hear any noise If the rotor is severely warped or bent This method may not work and you may Have to go ahead and replace the rotor a Good subject For an upcoming video Have you tried chewing the rotors or Fixing disc brake noises problems if you Have please comment below and let us Know Please subscribe to keep up with our Latest videos this is Tony at Tony 10 Speed safe cycling
