A squeaky piano pedal is usually caused by friction somewhere in the pedal, trapwork, or damper system. Three common areas to investigate are lubrication points, worn or missing bushings, and friction between case or pedal components. The key is to isolate the parts of the system until you can determine exactly where the unwanted noise originates.
Is the Squeak Actually Coming From the Pedal?
There are three things piano technicians are going to get asked about all the time in a customer's home.
The first is obvious: Can you tune my piano?
But then come the other two.
"While you're here, there's a squeak in the pedal."
Or:
"This key keeps sticking. Can you take a look at it?"
Tuning, pedal issues, and basic key repairs are some of the most common things you're going to encounter in everyday field service.
And here's something worth remembering: if a customer specifically mentions something, pay attention to it.
They may have scheduled a tuning, but that squeaky pedal they've been listening to for six months might be the thing they really want fixed.
Pedal systems can feel intimidating because there are a lot of moving parts. But when we're troubleshooting pedal squeaks, buzzes, rattles, and creaks, I like to start by looking at three main areas:
Lubrication. Bushings. Friction.
Let's look at each one.
What Causes a Squeaky Piano Pedal?
Before you start fixing anything, you need to determine where the noise is actually coming from.
One of the best things you can learn as a piano technician is how to isolate a problem.
A customer says, "The pedal squeaks."
Okay.
But what is actually squeaking?
Is it the pedal itself?
The trapwork?
A pedal rod?
A spring?
The action?
The damper system?
A bushing?
Or is pressing the pedal causing part of the piano's case to flex and make the noise?
Instead of treating the entire pedal system as one mechanism, start isolating individual components and see when the noise appears and disappears.
That's going to tell you where to look next.
Does the Piano Pedal Need Lubrication?
Lubrication is one of the first areas I look at when troubleshooting a squeaky piano pedal.
There are a number of moving contact points throughout the pedal and damper systems. As parts move against one another, those contact points can become a source of friction and noise.
One very common area is the pedal rods.
At Artisan Piano Services, lubricating appropriate pedal rod contact points is something our technicians routinely check during service. A little friction between a metal pin and a rubber or other contact surface can create a surprisingly annoying squeak.
Other potential lubrication points can include:
- Pedal rod contact points
- Damper lift rod pivot points
- Damper lever contact points
- Damper lever springs
- Pedal springs and pivot areas
Some of these are simple to access. Others may require removing the action or other components to properly inspect what's happening.
The goal isn't to start putting lubricant everywhere.
The goal is to find the friction point first.
What Lubricants Do Piano Technicians Use?
This came up during our live discussion because there isn't just one "piano lubricant."
We use several different products depending on the application, including products such as Super Lube, Protek CLP, McLube, and dry lubricants such as Teflon powder. Learn more about the Lubricants that techs use here.
And they don't all belong in the same places.
That's an important distinction because pianos contain wood, felt, leather, metal, plastics, finishes, and other materials. Knowing which lubricant to use and where to use it is an important skill of its own.
In fact, that's enough of a topic for an entire class.
WATCH OUT: Don't assume that because something is a lubricant, it's safe to use inside a piano. Products such as WD-40 and general household or automotive lubricants can cause problems when used in inappropriate areas.
Can Worn Bushings Cause a Piano Pedal to Squeak?
Absolutely Once lubrication has been considered, the next thing I look for is a bushing problem. Anywhere you have metal moving against metal, there is potential for unwanted noise.
Piano manufacturers use materials such as felt, leather, rubber, plastic, or specialized bushings to separate moving components and prevent that metal-to-metal contact. But those materials don't last forever. They can become:
- Worn
- Compressed
- Hardened
- Loose
- Broken
- Completely missing
Once that protective material deteriorates, you may start hearing a squeak, buzz, rattle, click, or creak.
This is especially important on older pianos. You may look at a bearing point and think, "There's already felt there." But look closer.
That felt may be so compressed or worn that it isn't doing anything anymore. Adding or replacing the appropriate bushing material can sometimes eliminate a noise that has been driving the customer crazy.
Pedal rod connections, swing arms, pivot points, and pedal anchors are all areas where technicians may encounter worn bushings or barriers.
Could the Squeak Be Coming From the Piano Case?
Here's the third category, and this one can fool you.
The pedal might not actually be squeaking.
Pressing the pedal puts pressure on other parts of the piano. In some instruments, especially those with more flex in the pedal board, that pressure can cause case parts to move against one another.
Suddenly you hear:
Creak. Creak. Creak.
It sounds like a pedal problem because it only happens when you press the pedal.
But the pedal mechanism may be working perfectly.
The actual noise could be coming from the pedal board flexing or from finished case parts rubbing against one another.
This is why diagnosis matters so much.
If you lubricate the entire pedal assembly when the noise is actually coming from two case parts rubbing together, you haven't solved anything.
How Do You Find Where a Piano Pedal Squeak Is Coming From?
Isolate and troubleshoot.
This was one of the biggest points that came out of our discussion. If you have a noisy pedal, begin separating parts of the system. For example, what happens when you operate the pedal with the action removed? What happens when you move the dampers by hand? Can you move the damper lift rod independently and reproduce the noise? Does the squeak only appear when the entire system is assembled and under pressure? Those clues matter.
One technician in our discussion described a pedal that wouldn't squeak when the action and trapwork were tested independently. The noise only returned when everything was put back together.
That's a clue.
When the entire system is assembled, different components are put under pressure and begin interacting with each other.
Instead of randomly changing things, follow the system from beginning to end and look for the point where the noise begins.
That troubleshooting process is something you'll use constantly as a working piano technician, and not just for pedals.
Want to learn more about piano pedal service? Explore more of our lessons, including our guide to Una Corda Pedal Regulation, and keep building your pedal troubleshooting and regulation skills.
What If You Can't Figure Out the Pedal Problem?
Here's another important part of being a technician:
You don't have to know everything.
There are going to be times when you're standing in a customer's home thinking:
"I have no idea what's causing this."
Every technician has been there.
What I don't recommend is pretending you know and experimenting until something works.
It's okay to tell the customer:
"I haven't isolated this yet. Let me do some research, talk to one of my mentors, and come back."
That's professional.
This is also why having a community of other technicians around you is so valuable.
A weird problem that you've never seen before may be something another technician has encountered ten times.
We're all learning from each other.
As we said during the class, we're all standing on the shoulders of giants.
Key Takeaways
- Start by isolating the noise. Don't assume the pedal itself is the problem.
- Think in three categories: lubrication, bushings, and friction between components or case parts.
- Look for metal-to-metal contact. Worn felt, leather, rubber, or plastic can create squeaks, rattles, and buzzes.
- Use the correct lubricant for the application. Different areas of a piano require different products.
- Follow the entire system. Pedal, trapwork, rods, action, and dampers can all contribute to pedal noise.
- Don't fake an answer. If you can't diagnose something, research it or ask another experienced technician.
FAQs
Why does my piano pedal squeak?
A squeaky piano pedal is usually caused by friction somewhere within the pedal, trapwork, action, damper system, or surrounding case parts. Dry contact points and worn bushings are two common causes.
Can you lubricate a squeaky piano pedal?
Sometimes. Lubrication can solve many pedal noises, but you should first identify the source of the friction and use a lubricant appropriate for that particular material and application.
Why does my piano pedal still squeak after I lubricated it?
The noise may not be coming from a lubrication point. Worn bushings, metal-to-metal contact, springs, loose components, pedal-board flex, or case friction can produce similar sounds. Learn more about full grand pedal servicing here.
How do you troubleshoot a squeaky piano pedal?
Start by isolating parts of the system and trying to reproduce the noise. Testing the pedal, trapwork, action, dampers, and connecting components separately can help pinpoint where the sound originates.
What are the most common piano pedal problems?
Technicians frequently encounter squeaks, creaks, rattles, buzzes, worn bushings, loose components, friction points, broken or deteriorated parts, and pedals that aren't operating the damper or action system correctly.
About the Author
David Hayes is the founder of The Artisan School and Artisan Piano Services and has more than 20 years of experience as a working piano technician and rebuilder. He teaches practical tuning, repair, regulation, voicing, troubleshooting, and business skills to the next generation of piano technicians.
Sources and References
Piano Technicians Guild -piano technician education/resources.
Where to buy Lubcrication for pianos, such as Super Lube, Protek CLP, McLube, and dry lubricants such as Teflon powder.
Stuck on a Piano Problem in the Field?
You don't have to figure everything out alone.
The Artisan School's Live Piano Technician Mentoring gives you a place to bring the real problems you're encountering in customers' homes and learn directly from experienced working piano technicians.
Whether it's a mysterious pedal squeak, a regulation issue, a repair you've never encountered, or simply figuring out what to do next, we're here to help you keep moving forward.
