Brake Squeak [Archive] - Pontiac GTO Forums: Pontiac GTO Forum

: Brake Squeak


Supernoma
09-26-2004, 09:46 PM
Seems whenever I go to stop my front brakes squeak alot. Im not sure if they coat the rotors to protect them during shipment (and the dealre neglected to clean them off).

Any possibilities to a cause of the excess noise?

Nocturn
09-27-2004, 12:59 AM
Could be the pads are worn down, or if they arn't warmed up yet. You can get some performance pads that will not squek as much also.

digitalgod
09-28-2004, 02:06 AM
It could just be the brake pads are glazed. This happens a lot with new pads. Its estimated that 90% of new pads are not properly broken in. What happens is resins in the pads are subjected high brake temp or even regular brake temperatures and quickly boil out to cake on the pad and even rotor surfaces.

The actually suggested breakin requires equipment that almost no one has. There is a system called 30/30/30 that is the next best thing for the general wrencher. If you have the work done by a brake shop or mechanic I would check to see how they break in new break pads and if its wrong, straighten them out because looking for a shop that does it right could take a very long time.

Nocturn
09-28-2004, 03:32 AM
Do you know the way to properlly brake in a new set of pads? I am curious to know so I miht be able to help a few people out.

digitalgod
09-29-2004, 01:00 AM
Find a nice quiet road nearby because this won't work in bumper to bumper (In some areas it would get you shot). Drive using the brakes as little as possible (don't tailgate) and avoid putting the brakes on hard. Accelerate to 30 MPH and brake using a moderate brake pressure (compared to how you would stop at a stop light) to complete stop. Wait 30 seconds to allow the pads to cool. Repeat 30 times . Let brakes cool down completely.

This allows trapped gases to escape slowly and provides sufficient heat to catalyze the resins without boiling them to the top of the pad forming a hard glazed surface.

The second step for long brake life is to treat the brakes with respect for the the first 400 to 500 miles so the pads can set properly with the rotor. If you are planning on burning the pads up road racing you can pretty much ignore this step.

Nocturn
09-29-2004, 01:11 AM
OUCH, that sounds time consumming...

simple_tek
09-29-2004, 11:32 AM
you might wanna check your rotor for any scraches !!!