Squealing noise from the front disc brakes

I have an annoying squealing from the front discs that comes and goes when I apply the brakes.
Some days no squeaking, other days it happens all the time.
I thought the pads might be worn out, but there's plenty of meat left on both sides.
The discs seem to have a glazed look to them.
I dressed the discs with 600 grit w/d sand paper and the squeaking went away, but now it's coming back.
Do I have cheap pads?
What pads do you use?

Thanks

Dave

Don't they make anti squeal stuff that you can throw on the pads?

Yup ....you can buy an " anti squeal" product at any auto parts store that gets applied to the back side ( metal) of the pads
Seriously , I have seen this applied on the pad side of the pads !

Alan M

Or take the pig out of the trunk...:o)

Their are so many kind of disc brake pads on the market now, It's very confusing to know what is best for any car.

Metalic, Semi metalic, Ceramic, Simi ceramic, just to name a few.

Would like to have your input on these, and any others. that are very good.
(Message Edited 10/6/2003 7:53:36 AM)

My new front disk kit was really squeeky.
On a tip from this forum I bought the anti squeel adhesive backing from pelican parts.

It was a $12 fix.
Amazing.

There is no apparent reduction in braking power.
And now people dont cover their ears when I brake.

I believe the squeeling is caused by a rapid vibration when the brakes are applied. The anti-squeel is an adhesive that keeps the pads from vibrating against the calipers. If we knew what the adhesive was we could just buy the adhesive...that's probably cheaper. My guess is silicone won't work.

The PelicanPart productI recommended is a piece of thin plastic backed by adhesive. The piston wears a groove into the plastic and that prevents it from vibrating. I have used this stuff for years and it simply works. You cut to the shape of your pad, peel off the adhesive liner and stick it on the back of your pads. It is that simple.

I do not work at Pelican Parts.

Mike

There is an adhesive you can use. Permatex "Disc Brake Quiet" is a gooey
stickey blue stuff that sticks the pad to the piston. Seems to work.
I think you can find it at the usual auto parts stores.

BD

Thanks to all who responded,

Will try the anti-squeal product, also took the pig out of the trunk, but now the car doesn't handle as well, any ideas?

Dave

Put the pig back in the trunk and tape its mouth shut?

So have you played with the A/F meter I sent you yet? Any positive jetting results? Is Hawaiian air heavier than continental US air?
(Message Edited 10/7/2003 12:33:25 PM)

OK, pig's back in the trunk w/mouth taped, car handles fine again.

Will be installing anti-squeal product this weekend. Thanks for the recommendations.

Regarding the A/F meter - hooked it up no problems, it takes ~35 seconds to warm up - once warmed up indicated a ratio of 12.5:1 or higher? (blue light= highest rich indication), when I let the clutch out and took off slowly ratio dropped momentarily to 14.7:1, car "lean sneezed" a few times as it always does when cold, then went back to blue. Stayed at blue level the whole drive except when decelerating - then dropped down to 15.5:1.
Pulled over and screwed in mixture screws to the point where it was idling at leaner than lean best, and the meter indicated a ratio of 14.7:1 - while driving at this mixture the engine sneezed quite a bit and popped upon deceleration.
It would appear that the meter may be understating the richness, since the car doesn't perform well at 14.7:1.

Regarding Hawaiian air being heavier than "mainland" air, Hawaii, as I'm sure you can appreciate is a very humid place; my car runs very different from day to day depending on the humidity level.
My car runs worse on very humid days, but adjusting mixture screws is so easy, it's no big deal.

Dave


(Message Edited 10/8/2003 8:52:31 PM)

OK - it's important to make sure you have the right spark plugs, ignition timing, float levels, carbs sync'd, and full operating temp before checking with the A/F meter. You should not have to diddle with your idle mixture screws once they are set. Sounds like your idle jets might be one size too lean?

I always had assumed that the brake noise usually came from the surface of the pad contacting the rotor.....from what I think you guys are saying is that it actually comes from where the pad attaches?

The antisqueel keep the pad from vibrating from either surface.

Mike

Mike, found an anti-squeal product like the one Pelican Parts sells at a local auto parts store.
Installed them today, works like a charm!!

Thanks for the advice.

Dave

Porsche was once quoted in a car mag as stating that Americans complain too much about Squeaking brakes.

Eric,

Me thinks that its the right seater that complains and we go along to keep them happy, Bruce

Bruce I hope no one was peeking over you shoulder. when you typed that. it could lead to disaster. Or a nite in the dog house.

Barry,

You know the first time, and only, I took the wife for a ride, the first comment was that there was a slight squeel from the discs in front. But I'm used to this now, beside she has better hearing than I,(didn't have my hearing aids in). She reads my incoming and outgoing mail anyway so it would be a puzzel to which e mail I'm in the dog house for. Anyway, We've been living in the same house for 38 years now and she still tolerates my whims. I even kinda think she is liking the way the Speedster looks now!

Bruce, PS, just got the center counsol from JC Whitney this afternoon, first impression of it is, Cheap, but I haven't placed it in the car yet, guess you can't expect much these days for $26.95.

I was on thesamba forum and those guys are recommending a small chamfer on the leading edge of the brake disc to stop squeeling. I think I will try this next to see if it works. I have to do the backs on my 911 next weekend.

Mike