Noisy Brakes

[BillGeek]

Hi Guys

I replaced the front brakes - discs and pads - on my 2.0i Gen3 (no-ABS)around 20 000km ago. (More or less 12'000 miles ) From the day I replaced them, they have been "screeching".

I've checked the "shock plates", (I don't know what you call them, but the thin metal linings between the calliper and the pads) I've replaced them, I've taken them out, added copper compound to the brakes, yet the brakes are still noisy.

They weren't noisy with the previous brakes I had installed, though I'm wondering whether it could be the new discs? They aren't genuine Toyota, though the pads are. (I did bleed the system quite a few times to get rid of the spongey feeling)

Any help would be appreciated!

[bigdaddymak20]

You need to put brake caliper lube on all the spots on the pads that touch the caliper and mounting brackets. Most dont know that the noise is caused by vibration between the caliper and pad. And one question did you clean the new rotors with brake cleaner because new ones have oil on them????

[BillGeek]

I did just that. And after about 100km, I cleaned them again. (Perhaps the second clean might have caused this?) Though I didn't clean it with brake cleaner, I used parafin instead...

The copper compound is supposed to absorb the vibration between the pad and the calliper, though I'll have a look at the "brake calliper lube" that you mentioned.

[bigdaddymak20]

That copper stuff works on the back of the pad but u need lube for the places where the pad slides. Brakeclean doesnt leave any residue. You just dont want to wash any of the stuff you put on the pad when you clean the rotor. Its probably clean from using the brakes now.

[redgtxdi]

Brakes are a tough gig. Sometimes it's just the luck of the draw.

I've tried them all.............and I mean.......THEM AAAALLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OEM pads, cheap pads, ceramic pads, middle grade pads....you name it, I've tried it.

Same thing for rotors. Good, cheap, middle, oem.......been there, done that. OEM is good, but typically the "better/best" at your local auto parts store are good rotors too.

My recommendation to you would be to remove the pads and sand them a bit (evenly) to break the surface. (Something rough like 80grit or 60 grit sand paper)

Then, when you reassemble, I would highly recommend the blue goop.(http://www.permatex.com/documents/td...tive/80729.pdf.) Key to using it is to put some between the shims & pads, but here's how....... After you've smeared it on the back of the pads.......wait about 20-30 minutes to let it set. (tacky & rubbery is ideal) Then......push & smush the shims onto the back of the pad.

On top of that.....be sure to smear brake grease all over the back of the shim. (I also smear it all over the contact areas of the calipers. That's smearing it all over the face of the caliper piston as well as the inside of the forked outer side of the caliper as well. And then install the gooped up, lubed up pads back into their new, lubricated homes..........("Go to your home........are you too good for you home???")

If you've done all of the above that's your best chance of quiet brakes. If they squeal, they squeal. Sure, oem rotors might have helped, but I've had plenty of oem's squeal too.

[Mike Gerber]

I have to agree with redgtxdi. One thing I would add. In additon to cleaning the rotors thoroughly with brake clean to remove any parifin wax that might have wound up on the rotors, I would also clean the surface of the pads thoroughly with brakeclean for the same reason. Then I would sand the surface of the pads as redgtxdi described. Upon reassembly of the pads and rotors, take it as easy as possible on the brakes for the first 100 miles or so. Let the pads seat properly to the rotors.

Mike