What is up with my brakes...any advice would be great

[ScottArizona]

Hi all, I've got a problem with my brakes that I hope someone can help me diagnose.

About 4 months ago I changed my front rotors (zimmermans) and pads (advertised as mintex red box on ebay...but who knows?). I reused the old caliper bolts, pad tensioners, retaining pins, and vibration dampners (yes, I'm a cheapo). The brakes worked fine thereafter, but the squealling was unbearable, so I sprung for some fresh vibration dampners, which seemed to help a bit.

Now, the squealing is still present, although somewhat decreased, when I bring the car to a stop. What gets me, however, is that they also squeal lightly WHEN I AM NOT APPLYING THE BRAKES when I turn slowly at low speeds (its probably doing it during high speed turns as well...its just that I can't hear it when I'm going fast). I can also sometimes hear the squeak when I am going slowly in a straight line...but this is not as frequent. It is almost like the pad is dragging. I thought it might get better as time passed and the pads got worn in, but the problem seems to be getting worse. I guess it could also be that my rotors are warped...but I was pretty careful to follow instructions when I bedded them in (no hard braking at first, etc....).

I can handle squealing when I come to a stop, but squealing when I am not even braking is just too much. Any advice would be great. THanks, Scott.

[Izzy]

Hey Scott, got something for you, may help. Centering the calipers over the new rotors. Here is the process I followed, I replaced rotors this weekend too, and calipers a few weeks ago. Works for me.

1. With wheels off and car secured, loosen the caliper bolts, back them out about 4 turns from hand tight. Test to see if you can jiggle them a bit by hand.

2. Turn iginition on. I like to turn the engine on myself, but may not be necessary.

3. Have someone pump the brakes, make sure they are tights and hold the brake down

4. Get the caliper bolts tight now, 64 ftlbs or whatever it is (I forget the exact number for the purists out there)

5. Engine off, replace wheels and go for a drive.

Anyway, I did this with new calipers, old rotors, old pads and it was fine. Then again with new rotors, old pads and no problems. I reuse the vibration dampeners, no new ones. The adhesive melts on a good track day anyway, so no big deal. I also run the Mintex redbox from ebay for normal street driving, they are more than fine. I use different for track.

Anyway, no squealing.

Hope it works for you. How's that tranny holding up?

Izzy

Edited September 4, 2007 by Izzy

[ScottArizona]

Hey Izzy! You always come through with great advice, Thanks. If you are ever down in Arizona, you better send me a pm so I can treat you to a dinner! Anyway, thanks for the suggestion, I will probably give it a try this weekend. Believe it or not, the tranny is holding up great. Car has been a blast lately. I added the plenum and although not earth-shattering in terms of the difference, there is definately a little bit more "umph" at the upper end of the rpm range. I just bought a three-spoke wheel I'm excited to install (once I source a nice used airbag that is). Talk to you later. Scott.

[Izzy]

You are very welcome. I will wait until the winter before venturing out to the desert though.... Seriously, let me know if the trick worked on your car. I got from one of the local Porsche guys here.