How to Eliminate ATV Brakes Noise

ATV brakes squeaking, screeching, and grinding are an annoyance and a distraction. They can irritate you and anyone around you. Thankfully, they aren’t usually dangerous. If there is danger involved, it might be the distraction or frustration you feel because of the sound. If you ignore the sound, it might be dangerous to your wallet. This post will tell you how to eliminate ATV brakes noise, rid yourself of this annoyance, and protect yourself from expensive rotor replacements.

Why Do My ATV Brakes Squeak?

That’s the burning question. Simply, it’s usually one of the brake parts rubbing against the rotor. What you have to determine is which part.

Worn Brake Pads

Some brake pads come with a wear indicator that is designed to screech when the brake pads near 3mm so you know it’s time for a change. The manufacturers have actually planned their product on the irritation of noisy brakes, knowing you’ll want to change those brake pads and won’t let them get too low.

Replace the brake pads to stop the noise.

If you have brake pads without this wear indicator or you ignored it, you may hear a loud grinding noise. This is when your brake pads have become so worn that metal is rubbing on metal. You will need new brake pads and probably a new rotor. Those things aren’t cheap, so try to catch the problem before this happens.

Dirty Brake Pads

Brake pads contaminated with debris and small rocks can make noise when they press into the rotor. This will probably sound like a screech.

These brakes might be able to be cleaned. Otherwise, you may have to replace them.

Rusted Rotor

This is particularly likely if you spend a lot of time in the mud or water. If the rotor gets rusty, it can make a noticeable noise. You might be able to remove a small amount of rust, but if you have a lot of rust, you will probably have to take the ATV to a mechanic.

If you try to clean the rotor yourself, make sure not to get brake cleaner on the brake pads. A small amount can be washed off with soapy water, when you catch it quickly. If a large amount ends up on your brake pads or you didn’t remove it, you will need new brake pads because brake cleaner can cause them to swell and come apart.

Brake Hardware

If the brake hardware that rubs the brake pads against the caliper gets old, you can hear a noise. You can notice this on disc brakes and drum brakes.

To fix this, you’ll need new brake hardware.

Lack of Lubrication

Several brake components need lubrication, the brake caliper bracket, the contacts between the pads and the guide pins, the back of the brake pad, and the top of the brake hardware. Copper anti-seize is the ideal lubrication for brakes because it can withstand such a wide range of temperatures.

If this is the problem, you just need to lubricate your brakes. Make sure to only use a small amount of copper anti-seize because it can collect dirt.

Dust Shield

The dust shield behind the rotor can bend and touch the rotor or it can rust. When it does, it makes a scraping sound.

You can clean a lightly rusty dust shield. Otherwise, you’ll need to replace it.

ATV Brakes Noise After Changing Pads

If you start hearing a noise after changing your brake pads, the first thing to consider is whether you added metallic brake pads. These pads are naturally noisy. They are metal rubbing on metal, after all. Otherwise, an ATV brakes noise after replacement can mean the same things as included in the list above. Check it to make sure none of those apply and you didn’t know to look for them.

ATV Brakes Noise from Front End

You may only be hearing a noise in the front because this is where the debris got in, because the front brake pads will wear out first, or because your ATV has inboard brakes that are likely to make noises, particularly when wet.

ATV Brakes Noise from Rear

Noises from the rear brakes can mean you happened to have one of the problems above only in your rear brakes. Certain ATV models are known to have problems with their rear brakes making noises because of an issue in the drive train.

-30%

THOR CamoArmy

STORM SUIT

209.30 $ 299 $

You save:

89.7 $

-30%

THOR Graphite

STORM SUIT

209.30 $ 299 $

You save:

89.7 $

-30% hit

WADEMAN Grey

lightweight waders

139.30 $ 199 $

You save:

59.7 $

-30%

TIMBER DarkGrey

STANDARD WADERS

111.30 $ 159 $

You save:

47.7 $

-30% hit

ENDURO CamoGrey

the most durable

209.30 $ 299 $

You save:

89.7 $

-30% hit

RACHEL Graphite

for women

146.30 $ 209 $

You save:

62.7 $

-30%

AQUAMASTER Red

reliability & comfort

223.30 $ 319 $

You save:

95.7 $

SPEEDMASTER-ZIP Graphite

with central zipper

499 $

-30% hit

ENDURO Graphite

the most durable

209.30 $ 299 $

You save:

89.7 $

-30% hit

MUDWAY NEW CamoGrey

BEST OVERALL JACKET

146.30 $ 209 $

You save:

62.7 $

-30% hit

RACHEL Petrol

JACKET FOR WOMEN

146.30 $ 209 $

You save:

62.7 $

-30% hit

RACHEL Graphite

JACKET FOR WOMEN

146.30 $ 209 $

You save:

62.7 $

-60%

SPEEDMASTER NEW Graphite

BEST OVERALL WADING BOOTS

83.60 $ 209 $

You save:

125.4 $

-30%

SPORTSMAN Blue

BEST VALUE WADING BOOTS

125.30 $ 179 $

You save:

53.7 $

-60%

SPORTSMAN CamoArmy

BEST VALUE WADING BOOTS

71.60 $ 179 $

You save:

107.4 $

-30%

URBAN Blue

BASIC WADING BOOTS

69.30 $ 99 $

You save:

29.7 $

-60%

OUTLANDER Khaki

RUBBER BOOTS

79.60 $ 199 $

You save:

119.4 $

-30%

SUBZERO Black

THERMAL UNDERWEAR FOR EXTREME COLD

55.30 $ 79 $

You save:

23.7 $

-30%

THERMO-S Black

THERMAL UNDERWEAR FOR COLD

48.30 $ 69 $

You save:

20.7 $

-30%

PANTS WAVE Grey

UV-PROTECTION

55.30 $ 79 $

You save:

23.7 $

Explore all