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Thread: Low speed brake squeal after installing new pads and rotors

  1. #1
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    Low speed brake squeal after installing new pads and rotors

    I just installed new Porterfield R4-S pads and new Zimmerman z-coated rotors. I followed the Porterfield install and bedding process to the letter. I have a squeal from my right front brake. It only happens at low speed, 10mph and lower and with light pedal pressure. There is a very thin fine grove forming on the rotor. I'm guessing this is where the pad and rotor are having it's problem. I removed the pad to see if anything was was on it. There wasn't. I redid the Porterfield install process again on the rotor.

    I have maybe 100 miles on these new brakes. Do you think this is something that will go away after I put some more miles on them? If not, what else should I do?

  2. #2
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    did you apply 'anti-brake squeal' to the calipers?

  3. #3
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    Quote Originally Posted by cngizbleevng View Post
    did you apply 'anti-brake squeal' to the calipers?
    Yup....

    Porterfield includes with the pads a kit for anti squeal. A powder you mix with water to demagnetize and wash the rotors. Then a spray for the rotors...not sure I know what it does. There's also a paste for the guide pins and the piston. All of which I did.

  4. #4
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    So you put this paste between the piston and the pad's backing plate? I just use high temp ("wheel bearing" or "brake") grease.
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  5. #5
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    Its been my experience that Porterfield pads fit a little loose in the calipers. You didn't mention anti-squeal on the backing plates of the pads. I'd pull the pads and spray them. I've had good luck with CRC Anti Squeal, but sticky goop is sticky goop.

    My R4-S's would get musical after a weekend at the track, a quick respray usually quieted them down.
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  6. #6
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    Take a sharpie or spray paint and fill that groove to see if you have the groove fixed.
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  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by daven View Post
    Its been my experience that Porterfield pads fit a little loose in the calipers. You didn't mention anti-squeal on the backing plates of the pads. I'd pull the pads and spray them. I've had good luck with CRC Anti Squeal, but sticky goop is sticky goop.

    My R4-S's would get musical after a weekend at the track, a quick respray usually quieted them down.
    No, I did not put it on the backing plate of the pad.....I'll do this on the weekend. Thanks for the info.

  8. #8
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    Drive the car for a bit and then feel the router. If it is HOT you probably have a caliper that is not releasing so the pad is not backing off the router.

  9. #9
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    NO!!!

    Do not touch a rotor!!! It will be HOT! Touch the wheel.
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  10. #10
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    It shouldn't be that hot unless your riding the brakes or the pads are dragging. Just compare the heat to that of the other front brake.

  11. #11
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    Aren't you suggesting to him he has a dragging pad?

    OP, Make a habit of not touching your rotor with your skin, especially greasy or oily skin. Same rule to halogen lamps, they're really hot and you shouldn't touch them.
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  12. #12
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  13. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by Car54 View Post
    Aren't you suggesting to him he has a dragging pad?

    OP, Make a habit of not touching your rotor with your skin, especially greasy or oily skin. Same rule to halogen lamps, they're really hot and you shouldn't touch them.
    I have a pyrometer....

  14. #14
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    Quote Originally Posted by erbillingsley View Post
    It shouldn't be that hot unless your riding the brakes or the pads are dragging. Just compare the heat to that of the other front brake.
    I'm not riding the brakes. If anything I'm not using the brakes enough...the squeal is quite loud for only going 10mph.

  15. #15
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    The squeal is a high frequency metal-on-metal vibration. 90% of the time it's between the inner pad and the piston, the other 10% it's the outer pad and the caliper fingers. Just a dab of high-temp grease on those contact points and it'll go away. Guaranteed or your money back.
    I like the unicorns.
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  16. #16
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    Josh, do you grease your track pad backings?
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  17. #17
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    Quote Originally Posted by Car54 View Post
    Josh, do you grease your track pad backings?
    Yes I do.
    I like the unicorns.
    '99 Z3 Coupe - Jet Black/Black (1-of-114)
    '99 M Coupe - Estoril Blue/Black (1-of-82)
    '03 540iT - Sterling Gray/Black (1-of-24)
    '16 Z4 sDrive35i - Estoril Blue/Walnut (1-of-8)

  18. #18
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    Quote Originally Posted by JoshS View Post
    The squeal is a high frequency metal-on-metal vibration. 90% of the time it's between the inner pad and the piston, the other 10% it's the outer pad and the caliper fingers. Just a dab of high-temp grease on those contact points and it'll go away. Guaranteed or your money back.
    That's the sound I have....metal on metal. We smeared the piston but not the back of the inner pad. We'll do it this weekend.

  19. #19
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    I just replaced my rear brake pads and rotors. I coated everything with anti-squeal goop, but still had a slight squeal at low speeds. I was going to reapply the anti-squeal stuff, but the noise went away after about a week.

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