Squealing Brakes

Hi All,

I replaced my knackered front calipers about 15 months ago for some new ones (aftermarket ones from Island 4x4, but they seemed to be fine). Replaced the pads at the same time obviously.

After about 9 months I noticed the front brakes were squealing once I'd driven a few miles (due to heat build up presumably). This got worse and worse so I changed the front pads this summer - not strictly necessary, but the rubber anti-squeal backing on the pads had been peeled off so I thought it prudent. It did stop the squealing immediately.

Noticed the new ones (Unipart) had a chamfer on the leading and trailing edges which I don't remember the previous pads having (Mintex).

Anyway, all's good until last week when I had to take a rapid 25 mile run down the motorway (69-70mph obviously Officer...). Noticed the brakes were squealing again at the end of the journey. Parked up for 30 mins and when I set off again the squealing had stopped.

Am I missing a trick when I fit the pads: clean brake dust off calipers and carriers, a smear of copper grease on the edges of the pad backing where they slide into the caliper carriers (snug fit but doesn't requre a hammer to get them in), all bolts to specified torques, make sure pads are seated square, bed them in for the first 300 miles etc.

Noticed I get a lot of brake dust build up on the front wheels pretty quickly, but I've always assumed that's because I have a heavy car which works the front brakes pretty hard.

Any pointers welcomed...

Cheers,

Malcolm

some pads squeal buying better usually helps ebc for instance but dont put track pads on for normal driving or they will be noisy

Agreed - seen that before but these are standard spec pads and Mintex is a pretty good brand to the best of my knowledge. I'd always been under the impression Unipart were OEM spec..? Certainly they weren't cheap from Partco..!!

Cheers,

mintex are good but some squeal quality isnt what it used to be

If they have not got it file a 45 degree 5mm chamfer on leading edges.

Might try something else then...

However, I almost had a bad experience with EBC Greenstuff's in about 2006on my first Vitesse Sport...the pad material was coming away from the backing plate after about 15-18 months (pads were perhaps half worn).

I spotted it before the material had actually completely detached from the backing plate (3 out of 4 pads from memory). Although I didn't drive like an old lady in it, I definitely didn't cook them (once or on a regular basis).

A few others on the various Rover forums had seen similar with EBC pads and the (minority) consensus seemed to be the pads work fine when new and as track-day pads on a lightly used and garaged car but aren't really made to the same standards of durability as many others and so can fall apart over time especially when subjected to normal road conditions (water/salt etc etc).

I'd fitted the bigger disk set-up from a Mk1 827 (but with EBC spotted and grooved disks) and I concede that might have been a contributary factor.

Any known good brands of pads I can start shopping around for? Mintex, Unipart and EBC are off the list for all reasons in this post and prior posts.

Cheers,

The current ones came with a chamfer Wammers...might check it's not been worn off though (be surprised after perhaps 3k miles though!!).

Cheers,

ap lockheed ,you can get poor examples of any part ,i have to reavaluate often on my and other experiences,but i have found discs when changed stopped it on some ,and is true what you say about often stood car different

malcolm_durant said:

The current ones came with a chamfer Wammers...might check it's not been worn off though (be surprised after perhaps 3k miles though!!).

Cheers,

Click to expand...

Standard practice on squeaky pads or shoes to chamfer them on leading edge. Copaslip on metal to metal contact points.

I tried all the pads EBC included, but didn't manage to cure my squeal until I fitted drilled discs .