When I replaced the pads/rotors on my 73 Regal (front) the left side squeeks very loudly when I push on the brakes. I used brake cleaner to clean the rotor twice now. The right side works fine. Any ideas? MARK
metalic pads..?? did you cut the rotors..? sometimes metalics will do that...break in the pads a bit or slap them pads off and give it a few quick strokes with some sand paper...just a lil bit
CUT THE ROTOR!! :rant: :rant: :laugh: always cut rotor when putting new pads on..... cut both sides and call me in the morning.... left side is your lucky side... :laugh: :laugh: how many miles you drive on the new pads and uncut rotors?? if its small time...just give em a level sanding ...just a bit.. if its a few weeks ...get new pads ..
while on the subject of brakes.... imo... I find organic pads a better trade off then these many types of metalic /semi metalic and carbon high performance types.....the organic are easier on the rotors... I would rather change pads 4 times on one rotor(including cuts) than change 4 rotors on 1 set of pads...from my experiance also pay attention on rotos and drums...try to pick up only ones made in USA or Canada...the made in Mexico ones are cheap-cheap
you bring your rotor to average parts store or a brake shop and they give a fine cut (layer off) on each side of rotor...a fresh surface and an even straight/true surface for your new pads ...always done on all brake jobs....thus is a must for proper brakes .. but you can only cut so much before its time for a new rotor...the thickness is stamped on the rotor usualy about $10 each rotor I myself also cut even when instaling brand new rotors..I have seen many that are new but not true OUT OF THE BOX... the rotor is put on a lathe and cut on both sides at same time also drums are cut as well.... for reference.. http://www.aa1car.com/library/brakefix.htm
Imho Started a REALLY LONG messagel about this but the short answer: You most likely got pads that don't have the soft metal "shim" on the back faces. Most of the auto parts places sell a self adhesive anti-squeek insulator shim you can put on the backs of the pads. You can also take a pop can and in about 2 min with some tin snips make your own. Most disk brake noises are the hard steel pads chattering against the cast iron caliper or steel piston. If you fab your own "shim" be careful not to interfere with any of the locating tabs. The goop in a tube stuff does the same thing but usually doesn't last long. Go buy the insulators, pull the calipers, pop the insulators on the backs of the pads. The noise will go away. regards
Oh, I always called that "turning" the rotors. The old ones were too far gone to turn/cut. I didn't think about doing that to the new ones. Ken, I'll get the shims. I just did the brakes on our van and made sure I put the shims in. I don't know why I didn't think about getting them for my car.
Btw Any of you out there with 4 wheel disks want a really good scare???? Get all 4 rotors turned without dressing them a bit with sand paper or scotchbrite. Then put new pads at all 4 corners and go try for a hight speed stop. Disk brakes are all about surface finish of the rotor and you will probably get a good look at the air-bag for about 1/2 a second. When I worked at the Chevy dealer the transmission guy was complaining about the lack of "gravy" work he got so they gave him a 4 wheel brake job on a Lumina. He turned all 4 rotors like he should have, installed the new pads all in about an hour (paid about 3 hours so he was getting his gravy). The car stopped ok in the lot so he took it for a quick spin around the block. About 10 min later he snuck in the back entrance to ask me what he might have done to the brakes... Seems he was doing about 40 down the hill and when he went to stop at the light he slipped right through with both feet on the brake pedal and finger prints still clearly imprinted on the steering wheel. I explained the importance of surface finish to him while we put it up on my rack and pulled all 4 wheels back off. Got out my trusty die grinder with a fresh scotch-brite cookie and about 10 min later he was on his way around the block and returned with a smile. Back in the 90's Delco recommended a non directional surface be applied to the rotor after turning with a fine grade of sand paper (foget the exact grit). We had the sanding disks in the body shop but the cast iron would eat them up so quick it was worthless. The coarse scotch-brite cookies though worked like a champ and were my favorites. regards
