New Brake Pads Screech like an Owl

[edro]

I recently replaced my rotors and brake pads.
Now, my brakes screech like crazy. They work fine, and there is no vibration... they are just loud as hell.
I have hit my brakes hard, to try to break them in, but they do not get any more quiet.

I bought the cheapest possible brake pads, so I am guessing this is my problem.
$22 @ Napa Auto

I have read that ceramic pads will not screech, but they are $60 per pair.
I guess $60 is worth it if I can guarantee that they will not screech.

Anyone have any input? My old brakes didn't screech.

Moved from Off Topic.
Sr Moderator allisolm

 

[Sea Moose]

your might have a stone caught?


go ceramic

 

[edro]

Aw crap! I now see that they sell Regular Rotors and Premium Rotors, and the price difference is $15ea.
One post on another forum says that ceramic pads need higher quality rotors or they will eat through cheap rotors quickly.

 

[sao123]

gee if only we had a forum for car questions

oh wait...

 

[Gibson486]

Originally posted by: edro
Aw crap! I now see that they sell Regular Rotors and Premium Rotors, and the price difference is $15ea.
One post on another forum says that ceramic pads need higher quality rotors or they will eat through cheap rotors quickly.

not really, that would be true if you resurfaced the rotor...and those cheap rotors will probably warp soon enough anyways.

 

[Paperdoc]

Many brake systems have metal shim plates between each brake pad and its backing (piston surface or fixed caliper backing) that serve the function of reducing high-frequency vibration (aka squealing). Does you car use them? Did you replace them? Linked to that, did you replace (or at least re-install old ones) the little springs that push the pads apart when the the brakes are NOT being applied?

Other possibility is some contamination of the brake pad and / or rotor surfaces. Wet brakes squeal, but will dry out quickly because of heat. But if some other material like brake fluid, grease, etc gets in there, it may not dry out. If you think your brakes may have such contamination, you might try disassembling them and cleaning off the metal parts (like the rotor surfaces) with Brake Part Cleaner. But do NOT get the brake pads wet with this stuff - MAYBE OK to wipe them lightly, but that's all. And do this only outside with lots of ventilation. Most Brake Part Cleaners are toxic and flammable.

 

[pontifex]

i had my brakes and rotors replaced recently and the guy that did it sprayed both with some kind of brake cleaning fluid. he said it removes some kind of oil or something that they put on them to prevent rust while on the shelf and you need to get rid of that.

 

[BoomerD]

Disk brake squeal is usually just vibration. Use quality parts, (not the cheapest you can find) clean the disks and pads thoroughly with brake cleaner before installing, use new anti-chatter springs if your car has them, and I also coat the backs of my new disks with an "anti-chatter" spray that makes a big difference.

http://www.crcindustries.com/a...tail.aspx?PN=05017&S=N

BTW, this thread belongs in the garage.

 

[The-Noid]

Most high performance brakes will squeal much louder than normal brakes.

Every high performance car I have had squealed much louder than normal cars.

 

[skyking]

The noise is caused by the pad moving over the caliper and piston. Get some of the special brake compound or that spray boomer has linked, take the brakes apart and put it on the back of the pads. Problem solved.

 

[edro]

Originally posted by: BoomerD
Disk brake squeal is usually just vibration. Use quality parts, (not the cheapest you can find) clean the disks and pads thoroughly with brake cleaner before installing, use new anti-chatter springs if your car has them, and I also coat the backs of my new disks with an "anti-chatter" spray that makes a big difference.

http://www.crcindustries.com/a...tail.aspx?PN=05017&S=N

BTW, this thread belongs in the garage.

Wow...so you just spray the back of the pad with this magic spray?
And I do not remember seeing any kind of spring on the brake pads.

 

[edro]

Exploded View of Brake Assembly

I wonder if those Inner and Outer shims are for vibration reduction?
Because I don't have those shims anymore.
I vaguely remember throwing them away like 5 years ago when I replaced the brakes.

 

[edro]

I ended up buying $55 ceramic brake pads and Napa took back my old ones.
The new ceramic pads are completely silent.
FYI, the ceramic pads look pretty much the exact same as organic pads, but they have more fibers and some of the fibers are copper.