Park brake squeaking

[CNE]

First, I love my Exmark 52" 23 Kohler. But, after about only 15 hours of mowing, the right park brake shoe started squeaking really loud. It will bug the crap out of you in a short time. I asked the dealer if there was something I could do instead of returning the mower for repairs. He told me that it probably just needed adjusting and to back off the tension a little. I backed it off a little at a time until it stopped squeaking but then it was too loose to hold the mower on that side and the mower twists on the trailer. I tightened it back up just a hair and now it squeaks again. It's almost like the shoe is not round and it rubs on the hub all the time. Is this a common thing and will they replace it under warranty or will I have to pay for it? It has about 50-60 hours on it now.

[eXmark]

CNE,

We've gotten a few of these comments and have done some testing but don't really have a good answer yet.

Is it warranty? I don't know. We'll probably need to have the dealer take a look at it and see what he finds. If there's something wrong with the band or the hub there's a good chance. If it's got a rock imbedded in the band then it's obviously not.

Thanks

Terry

[CNE]

I've looked at the band and there is no debris between it and the hub. The left side is visibly more round shaped than the right. It doesn't rub the hub like the other side. that is what is causing the noise, is it rubbing constantly and getting hot. There will actually be brake dust on the outside of the wheel after a few hours of operation. I'll take it back to the dealer, it's due for service again anyway. I just don't think I should have to pay for it to be fixed when it's been doing it since almost new. You can tell by the low hours, it didn't get used much this year.

[Ryan2]

This sound crazy, but you need to lubricate it. Spray some pb-blast or wd-40 between the brake and the drum. This will stop the squeak and the brake will still work fine.

[eXmark]

Ryan,

I probably wouldn't recommend spraying anything on the brake band.

The oil on the brake band could greatly decrease parking brakes ability to hold the mower in place when parked on an incline.

Thanks

Terry

[65hoss]

Its a fairly common situation and I know for certain that eXmark is looking into it. Hopefully a fix will be ready soon.

[Ryan2]

Yeah, I know it's not the BEST thing to do, but this is the only way I found to stop the noise. Guess this is for those desperate situations.

[Mike (MLC)]

Had same problem I took the band off and grease the inside holes of the band put it all back together and no sqeaking.

[65hoss]

I agree with Ryan about desperation. It can sometimes get so loud and annoying. Its really bad if people are around staring at you.

I must say, that all winter doing leaves I haven't heard it a single time.

[MikeLT1Z28]

now that you mention it, the last time i heard it was at the church right before leaf season. cold weather making it contract and clear the hub?

[CNE]

It's pretty embarassing when you're on a brand new $7,000 mower with a new business and your equipment is squeaking so bad dogs are running away.

[Ryan2]

Yeah, definitely can't brag on a screamin' mower!!!!

[justmjc]

Oh this sounds familiar. Call up your dealer and they should be able to walk you right through this if you can picture it.

It took me about 15 min for trial and error testing adjusting the lengths of the rods pulling on the brakes. Then I adjusted the main rod to the handle. Sorry it's not specific but if you look inside, you'll know what to do.

[justmjc]

Ah, the sqealing. Take 15 mins trial and error to adjust. Adjust your rods and the main rod to the handle. Call your dealer and they can walk you through on the phone. Pretty easy to do.

[CNE]

I've adjusted the rod to the band and the rod to the handle and like I said in the earlier post, if you back it off enough to stop the squealing, it won't hold the mower on the trailer. It is a very simple adjustment but it doesn't work. I am convinced there is something wrong with the band itself. It rubs only in one place around the band. the other side is loose all the way around the band. Something is wrong there.

[Quality Cuts PLS]

I had that problem with a 60" Lazer. We found that the attachment point of the brake band was not moving freely on the mounting pin. We cleaned and lubed the mounting points and ends of the brake band. Problem solved.

[eXmark]

Guys,

Sorry I haven't been responding to each post.

We are looking at the issue however we do not have an quick fix at this time. I'll let you know what we find as soon as we know something for sure.

Thanks,

Terry

[Rob T]

2003 Lazer Xp, same problem. I've been spraying wd-40 on it. lasts about a week and then the noise is back.