Date: Sun, 8 Sep 2002 11:15:36 -0700
Reply-To: Doktor Tim <doktortim@ROCKISLAND.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Doktor Tim <doktortim@ROCKISLAND.COM>
Subject: Solving disc brake noises!
In-Reply-To: <B9A0CE86.86A8%dave@sparkplug.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed
Steps to follow for noise free disc brakes.
1. Verify surface condition or rotors. As long as there are no sharp edges
they can be reused. NEVER turn rotors. If they have glazing or rough or
sharp edges in any way, replace them.
2. Verify rotor thickness. If they are within 1/2 mm of minimum, replace them.
3. Use a wire brush and brake cleaner to get the calipers clean. Primarily
the side slots the edges of the pads ride against.
4. Use Textar, ATE or VW pads. Never use metallics. Non-metalic PBR Deluxe
pads also are OK.
5. With used rotors, use a file to bevel the upper and lower edges of the
pads so they will not ride on the wear ridge of the rotors.
6. Use 80 grit emory cloth to scour the surfaces of the rotors. Helps the
pads break in.
7. When trying to solve noise and reusing worn pads, scour the friction
surface to take the shine off them.
8. Use the special Sta-Lube synthetic brake grease (high temp
non-migrating) on the metal sides of the pads, the top of the pads where
the spreader spring rides, on the retaining pins, and on the back of the
pads where they contact the caliper pucks and/or frame. If backing plates
are original for the application, put a film of this special grease on both
sides of the plates. You need more than a thin film, but certainly not gobs
of lube. Be very careful not to get any of this lube anywhere on the
friction surfaces.
9. Break in new pads properly. Drive at 50mph. Use the brakes to quickly
reduce speed to 30mph. Drive a half a mile to cool the brakes, then repeat
10 times. What this does is heat the pads sufficiently to drive off the
adhesive volatiles holding the fiber matrix together without overheating,
and mate the new pads to the rotors.
10. Flush and bleed the system yearly with DOT 4 fluid. This will stop flex
hoses from swelling and caliper pucks and master cylinders from sticking or
leaking. Don't forget to flush and bleed the clutch as well for the same
reason.
In hundreds of brake jobs over the past 10+ years, I've only had two come
back for squeaks using this procedure. One was a case where the rotors
were worn to a point just a hair wider than minimum. The other was a case
where the vehicle was being driven daily on a very dusty road and dried up
the lube.
At 09:53 AM 09/08/2002, you wrote:
>As a side note, can anyone recommend a brake pad brand with might help
>reduce the annoying LOUD squeal I get when my brakes get hot?
