Date:         Wed, 4 Mar 1998 08:09:56 -0800
Reply-To:     Mark McCulley <raven@HALCYON.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         Mark McCulley <raven@HALCYON.COM>
Subject:      squealing brakes
Comments: To: vanagon@vanagon.com
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

I recently replaced the front pads and rotors on my 87 syncro Westy. I used
OEM pads purchased from a dealer. After a bit of driving, the pads began to
squeal so I removed them and reinstalled using that gooey blue Permatex
stuff between the pads and the calipers. This didn't really help.

The brakes only squeal after they have warmed up a bit. Driving in the city,
they won't squeal until I've made maybe a dozen stops. Then they squeal
until the van sits and rests and the brakes cool down. Another thing, they
only squeal within a certain range of pedal pressure. Push harder or lighter
than this and they won't squeal. Definately seems to be a resonance sort of
thing.

This is getting annoying to me and my passengers and I'd like to fix the
problem. I have two ideas:

1. Remove pads and install the thin aluminum shims that are designed to
eliminate squealing.
2. Replace pads with pads that are softer and non-metallic.

Any recommendations or advice?

Mark McCulley
87 syncro Westfalia