Date:         Sat, 18 Jan 2020 10:37:43 -0500
Reply-To:     Steven Shelton <shelton4@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Steven Shelton <shelton4@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Brake Squeal
In-Reply-To:  <CANEuo0gjYdr7DZ8VSk34=pcVwcbY85gkShWi5Dz1cEXZr-jKWg@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"

Fortunately, I have managed to save the shims. I did manage to put some in
backwards once and flatten the tabs, but bent them back.

I've never seen these shims for sale and often wondered why someone with
connections to an aftermarket manufacturer hasn't had some made. I wonder
if anyone on this mailing list meets that description?

On Sat, Jan 18, 2020 at 10:12 AM kenneth wilford (Van-Again) <
kenwilfy@comcast.net> wrote:

> Just to add to what Dennis has said, many of the early Vanagon brake
> calipers are missing the shims.  I have replaced the pads on these early
> vans many, many times and only occasionally are the original shims still
> there.  I don't know if they rust away or if mechanics think they are part
> of the old pads, but they get discarded.  If you are having squealing
> issues with the early brake system (80-85) you might want to investigate
> this.  As a mechanic, it stinks that you can replace everything with high
> quality parts, and still have an occasional squeaking breaks, or even an
> extremely annoying squeak.  The customer isn't happy because it is annoying
> and they think something is majorly wrong.  You know that there isn't but
> it is hard to explain it to them since the noise is embarrassing them every
> time they come to a stop sign.
>
> Ken
>
> On Sat, Jan 18, 2020 at 9:36 AM Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com>
> wrote:
>
> > Disc brakes can make noises for a number of reasons and note all of them
> > are reasons for concern. Although they should be checked.
> > From the engineering perspective one needs to understand that the major
> > challenge for disc brakes is that the surface speed of the rotor as it
> > travels past the pad is not the same from the middle to the end. This
> sets
> > up all sorts of challenges from consistent pad and rotor wear to
> > controlling vibration. Add that the rotors can warp even slightly, there
> > will always be some bearing play and changes in the rotor friction
> surface
> > and the transfer of pad material to the rotor and one understands how
> > keeping brakes quiet can be a challenge.
> >
> > For the most part the squeaks actually come from the pads vibrating and
> > moving in the calipers. So after the beaing and rotor surface-runout is
> > eliminated as a problem you then move to the pad choice and mounting
> > hardware. For the early 2 piston calipers the fit of the pad the pad is
> > captive in the caliper casting. As these calipers are old, and have been
> > rebuilt, (bead blasted, filed, ground etc.) the housing are likely worn.
> > This leaves vibration shims between the pad and piston and the hold down
> > springs on top as your only options for vibration control. Anti squeal
> > stuff can be added between the shim and pad to also help.
> >
> > Dennis
> >
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com> On Behalf Of
> > Steven Shelton
> > Sent: Saturday, January 18, 2020 9:23 AM
> > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> > Subject: Re: Brake Squeal
> >
> > I should have mentioned that I have Ate calipers.
> >
> > On Sat, Jan 18, 2020 at 9:01 AM Spencer Allen <soxndubs1951@gmail.com>
> > wrote:
> >
> > > On my 85 it was a dragging caliper. When I had the van serviced the
> > > mechanic freed it up and no more squeak.
> > >
> > > On Sat, Jan 18, 2020 at 7:49 AM Steven Shelton <shelton4@gmail.com>
> > wrote:
> > >
> > >> I've gone about 7,500 miles since replacing the front brake pads and
> > >> rotors, and the driver's side has started squeaking. It's silent when
> > >> I first start driving, but after a while, I assume when it gets
> > >> warmed up, it starts a squeak-squeak-squeak. If I tap the brakes it
> > >> stops, sometimes even after I let off the brake pedal and sometimes
> > >> not. The Samba has a long thread on possible solutions to the
> > >> problem. Do these symptoms help isolate the cause on my 1985? What
> > >> exactly is happening when disk brakes squeak like that anyway?
> > >>
> > >
> >
>
>
> --
> Thanks,
> Ken Wilford
> John 3:16
> www.vanagain.com
>