J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

Why do my brakes squeal, back and front, have tried cleaning the braking surface with meths, new brake blocks, adjusting but they still howl, its just a crappy ancient Diamond back with centre pull brakes, they work ok but cant stand the noise !

Butkus

Your brake pads might be 'toed out' meaning the rear of the brake pad hits the rim before the front. They should be the other way round - 'toed in'. Make sure the front of the pads hit the rim before the back. It should only be by the smallest amount, but by doing this the pad will be dragged into the rim as it rotates.

This should be fairly easy to do by loosening the bolt holding the pad in place. Hold it in place - toed in - then tighten it up.

Hope this helps!

r32

A small piece of card placed at the back edge of the brakes may help you set them up. Some new pads have a small ridge at the back to aid set up, this wears quickly and you have correct setting. But to them in and you should see a big improvement.