Brake Squeal WTD?

Mac McMacman · Post by **Mac McMacman** » 13 Oct 2010, 11:09

I changed out my caliper, pads and rotor last week and noticed a similar squeal sound coming from my drivers side front. The squeal mainly started after a few miles, but would not quit unless I was breaking my '97 850. I just took it all apart again and put it back together then test drove it. After about 8 miles the squeal started again, so I immediately came home and pulled the wheel. The rotor was smoking hot! I called the auto parts store and they will have a replacement caliper for me today at 3:00. The rebuilt Cardone caliper was definitely sticking. I'll let you know if this solves the problem when I replace it. Hope this helps.

Post by **patrioty3k** » 13 Oct 2010, 15:30

What was your final outcome 'Mac McMacman'? I'm still dealing with the squeaky front drivers side only pads!? I'm now on my 3rd set of pads....using ceramic w/ the "ceramic lube" of course...maybe I have to take the rotors off and power sand the glaze off now? I do have new rotors,the ceramic pads,and actually a rebuilt volvo caliper......btw I have 2 sets of front brake pads for sale...cheap, a Napa brand and a Mintex Red brand.....let me know!

Mac McMacman · Post by **Mac McMacman** » 13 Oct 2010, 19:29

Welp, the caliper may have been sticking and was replaced, but the squeal was not fixed with the change in caliper. As others have noted, it now MUST BE CRAPPY BREAK PADS causing the problem. I talked to the guy at the auto parts store where I purchased them and even he admitted that the pads were JUNK (Advance Wearever Silver Semi's). So I'm spending the extra cash and going with the better quality pads. Since everything else in the brake system has been replaced on this axle (including the axle) the pads have to be the problem.

Mac McMacman · Post by **Mac McMacman** » 13 Oct 2010, 19:33

One thing that the parts guy mentioned is that the "newer" pads no longer require silicone grease on the backs of the pads when installed. He said that there is a coating on the back of the pad that keeps the pads from squeaking in the caliper. He also mentioned that if you do apply grease to the backs, it will CAUSE the pads to squeal. Has anyone heard of this?? Patriot, this may be causing your squeal problem, so try to reinstall them without any lube on the backs. Hope this helps.

Mac McMacman · Post by **Mac McMacman** » 14 Oct 2010, 09:03

I changed out the pads and went with the Wagner Pads (Mid-Priced). They look the pads that Kuhnman described above out of the box. They have a coating on the metal back that says that they prevent noise and the salesman advised me to not apply anything to the backs of the pads when installing. Took a test drive, and I can't believe it. NO NOISE AT ALL! I am really surprised that the pads have such an impact on the sound performance. I'm convinced, no more cheap pads for this guy. Good luck and thanks everyone for sharing your experience. Hope this helps "Pat".

Post by **vjaneczko** » 14 Oct 2010, 10:55

If it helps anyone, I installed Zimmerman cross-drilled rotors and Akebono pads on the front wheels a few months ago. Plenty of brake grease on the contact points and I've never had a squeal. Didn't have to sand anything off of the pads. It was pretty much "set it & forget it". Well worth the $$.

Post by **jblackburn** » 14 Oct 2010, 11:02

^^^I'm doing the exact same combination this weekend. When I first got my car, it squealed like CRAZY from whatever pads were on the rear of it. I took them off and put OEM ones back on - no squealing until they wore out again. I'm hoping for the same results with the Akebono's - this will be my first time doing them on the front of this car. 60,000 miles on a set of brakes is pretty good

Post by **Red-Arrow** » 15 Oct 2010, 06:50

Something like 60% of all brake squeal is down to not having shims. in addition the use of a high quality copper grease is recommended on the rear of all break pads and caliper pots as well as a lick of copper grease on the carrier for the pads.

If you run metallic pads then learn to love the squeal is my advice

Also remember that brake squeal can just be an indicator of wear in the pads themselves. The rear end on my Volvo squeals and its just a metal tab making contact with the disc. Harmless sound right now but as the tab gets smaller the sqeal will get higher pitched and louder.

Scott_850T-5 · Post by **Scott_850T-5** » 15 Apr 2013, 12:05

So I just rebuilt both sides on the front of my 97' 850 T-5. Car is stopping on a dime, smooth no pull, beautiful. But...when driving, no matter what the speed, the slightest turn of the wheel to the left and the brakes begin to rub and drag (on the front left only). I took the whole thing apart twice, checked gaps everywhere and its all good. caliper is functioning properly etc. I'm wondering if this means it must be a line/fluid issue? Could it be ther is a 'pull' on the line and this is causing the caliper to close slightly, which in turn is causing the noise? its not a squeal, its a rotational dragging noise. I'm using OEM pads(paint cleaned off the sides), OEM new calipers, new OEM rotors, new flex lines on both sides all bolts are torqued properly. Wheel bearings are good, I cleaned all mating surfaces prior to assembly. I'm stumped, got any ideas?

Thanks,
-Scott

Post by **vjaneczko** » 15 Apr 2013, 12:17

Few questions pop into my head;

How many miles have you driven with the new setup? Might just need to bed the pads. Some believe in this practice, some do not. I'd think that after 20 or 30 miles of city driving, you'd be good to go.

Anther thought is the fluid; did you flush the fluid completely? I learned (here, no less) that it's a good idea to completely flush the fluid every three or four years.

Is the plastic wheel well liner in good shape and connected properly with rivits & plastic nuts?

Brake Squeal WTD?

Re: Brake Squeal WTD?