Squeaking Brakes

[Ooooner]

I have replaced my front rotors with new ones, replaced the pads with ceramic pads and rebuilt the calipers. Now, when I apply the brakes, there is a squeaking noise. What can be done to eliminate the squeaking? Someone said that I could take some very fine sandpaper and go over the new rotors and it should stop. Sounds fishy to me!
Anyone with any thoughts? As always, thanks for everyone's input!

[opelbits]

If they squeak when the brakes are applies, as opposed to all the time, you might want to give them a little time and miles. I replaced my old rotors with new ones (Brembos from Tirerack). I reused my pads as they were fine.
They began squeaking within a few miles. The more I drove them the more they squeaked. This is apparently my pads bedding in to the new rotors. After awhile, the squeaking stopped. I guess whatever profile the pads had from the old rotors had to be worn away until I had nice full pad contact.

If this is not the case for you, you might try sanding the corners and edges of your pads. Give them a slight radiused edge where they contact the rotors. It doesn't take much really.

Are you using shims? Stock brakes? '75 brakes? Or?

[BQS4]

Roy;
There are some thin metal plates, that mimic the pads shape, they slide in behind the pads, between the pad and the piston, they will stop the squeak. Or you can get this gooey stuff from the parts storethat you smear on the back of the pads. Basically it glues the pad to the piston and stops the squeak. Sanding the pads does stop the squeak, but only till they smooth out again.

[Ooooner]

Yes, I am using stock brakes and I did put the shims in place. Just like you had mentioned, it started to squeak after only a few miles. I may just try to stick it out for awhile and see if it runs itself out. If that doesn't work, I will try some of your other ideas.

[hrcollinsjr]

Roy, as previously mentioned the shims are supposed to help. If it really worries you buy some of the "goo" and place a little between the shims and the backs of the pads. Did you replace the retaining hardware when installing the new pads?

Harold

[SpringGT]

Originally Posted by Ooooner I have replaced my front rotors with new ones, replaced the pads with ceramic pads and rebuilt the calipers. Now, when I apply the brakes, there is a squeaking noise. What can be done to eliminate the squeaking? Someone said that I could take some very fine sandpaper and go over the new rotors and it should stop. Sounds fishy to me! Anyone with any thoughts? As always, thanks for everyone's input!

Did you clean the new rotors with solvent prior to installation?
Most of the new rotors that I have bought recently have had a laquer (or some type of) protective coating on them, I presume to prevent rust formation until they are sold. I had to wash the rotors in lacquer thinner, as the coating felt soft enough to possibly glaze the pads if left intact.

[Mike Preble]

Ear plugs. My wife said it worked for my snoring!!! LOL

Mike

[Ooooner]

Originally Posted by SpringGT Did you clean the new rotors with solvent prior to installation? Most of the new rotors that I have bought recently have had a laquer (or some type of) protective coating on them, I presume to prevent rust formation until they are sold. I had to wash the rotors in lacquer thinner, as the coating felt soft enough to possibly glaze the pads if left intact.

SpringGT,
I did not clean the rotors off and yes, there was some sort of coating on them. That may just be the problem! Thanks... I will clean them off and see what happens.

[Ooooner]

Originally Posted by Mike Preble Ear plugs. My wife said it worked for my snoring!!! LOL Mike

Good idea, Mike! If you can't hear it and the car stops, what's the difference?

[Ooooner]

Originally Posted by hrcollinsjr Roy, as previously mentioned the shims are supposed to help. If it really worries you buy some of the "goo" and place a little between the shims and the backs of the pads. Did you replace the retaining hardware when installing the new pads? Harold

Harold,
Yep, I replaced all the retaining hardware when I installed the new pads. The shims that came with the new pads had a "peel off" backing so you could stick the shims to the pads before sliding them into place. Worked great! But SpringGT mentioned that there was a coating on the new rotors and I did not clean it off. I will try that and see what happens.

[hrcollinsjr]

Originally Posted by Ooooner Harold, ... But SpringGT mentioned that there was a coating on the new rotors and I did not clean it off. I will try that and see what happens.

Ah, the coating is most likely in/on the pads by now, but maybe not no more than you've driven it.

Harold

[hrcollinsjr]

Originally Posted by Mike Preble Ear plugs. My wife said it worked for my snoring!!! LOL Mike

A pillow works also, it just depends on where it is placed.

Harold

[markandson]

It might just be that the pad material and rotor hardness don't match well. If you put semi-metallic pads on a BMW 325 they squeak like crazy, put the OEM pads on and the problem disappears, but your black wheel syndrome re-appears (personal experience). Maybe your pads are just too hard.

[Ooooner]

Originally Posted by markandson It might just be that the pad material and rotor hardness don't match well. If you put semi-metallic pads on a BMW 325 they squeak like crazy, put the OEM pads on and the problem disappears, but your black wheel syndrome re-appears (personal experience). Maybe your pads are just too hard.

Jeff,
You may be right but I cleaned the "new" film off yesterday. I removed the new pads and cleaned them, too. We'll see if that is it. If not, I may have to go to the OEM pads. Thanks...

[73Manta72gt]

Roy, get a set of greenstuff pads. I put them on all three of my cars

[soybean]

I used the same on mine with no problem as well. Jarrell

[Ooooner]

Originally Posted by 73Manta72gt Roy, get a set of greenstuff pads. I put them on all three of my cars

Helmut,
Were did you get the "Greenstuff" pads? I may just give those a try if these ceramic pads keep squeaking.

[Paul]

Roy
I bought mine from Brake Rotors | Car Brakes | Ceramic Brakes | Disc Brakes | EBC Brakes

But if you go to EBC Brakes - Home of the worlds largest range of brake products you can find all of the dealers and shop around...

You should be able to find them under $40 and some places have free shipping for orders over $50 ...

Greenstuff pads may dust a bit, but it cleans easier than semi-metalic pads. The tiny metal bits will embed in the paint of the rim and are neer impossible to clean

[73Manta72gt]

I'm not sure where I got them but they cost about $30 I haven't really noticed any brake dust from them. The $9ones from autozone & advance produce a lot of dust.