squealing noise + S2 brakepad question

[shangani]

Hi all - over the past few days, my car has been making an annoying high pitched squealing noise from the front left at very low speed. A dab on the brakes stops it immediately. I never hear it under braking. A few questions:

1) any idea on the diagnosis

2) My pad will need replacing soon. Any recommendations on standard S2 crossdrilled disks. Specifically are the pagid RS14's worth the money?

3) How hard is it to replace pads for a numptie - I do know how to take the wheels off (though the car is a pig to drive without them )

4) Anyone painted there calipers (while the wheels are off) - I was thinking of a touch up but can't decide whether to keep them black or go a sort of laser blue like the car.

Any advice would be great. Thanks.

[cheekymonkey]

1) could just be the pads rubbing ever so slightly, this is more likely with the weather we've been having too, mine make some really nasty noises until i grind off all the crap that's built up.

2) not sure about that

3)don't attempt it if you don't know what your doing as brakes are a pretty essential part of your car and getting it wrong could be very, very costly! if you have a mechanical minded friend get them to give you a hand and learn on the job with someone who knows what they're doing. Also go easy on the new pads for the first 100 miles or so to let them bed in nicely

4)there's more here www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=190631

>> Edited by cheekymonkey on Sunday 6th November 11:45

[bher]

2/ Dealer told me they were noisy. I asked "Really?" He is selling them and said "for everyday use and some track days, YES... " So I am waiting for something else (Goodbridge braided hoses??)
4/ and also on www.grouplotus.com/car/car_sport_partlist.php?page=43&category=1

[hbaumhardt]

1. Disk warped (could be skimmed), pads worn out/cracked ... findout when its jacked up.

2. OEM disks are fine to keep; RS14 black for hard track use, RS42 blue for regular track use (I'm sure someone will be along with more inexpensive non-track Mintex/Greenstuff/RedDot recommendations soon). If your investing in Pagid then consider fitting Goodridge s/steel hoses and dont forget to change the brake fluid every year if tracking.

3. Its already been said; if your not sure, dont mess about with them. I changed my brake fluid once and the car was undrivable !

4. Have seen folks make a complete buggers muddle hand painting calipers (chav-tastic !), normal paint flakes off with heat. To do right I beleve it needs special paint cured in an oven.

[shangani]

Thanks Hbaumhardt (and bher & cheekymonkey) - I appreciate the advice.

1) Discs appear fine - pads need replacing soon - I am doing the lotus trackday at Bedford on the 10th Dec (I see you are also down on the list - look forward to meeting you)

Brake Fluid has been recently changed and I already have the S/S hoses. I am not a hardcore tracker - would RS42's be a better bet for fast road driving with the odd trackday or are RS14's ok (even when cold?) There is only about £20 difference.

4) Re the calipers - I might just refurbish the existing black which is looking really tatty.

Thanks a ton



>> Edited by shangani on Monday 7th November 13:55

[hbaumhardt]

See you at the LOT exclusive day ! Mmmm, may also be going last minute with RMA on the 19/11 as well since there is no such thing as enough ...

Looks like you'r local so for unbiased opinion on pads talk to Steve at www.swlotus.com (then get him to supply & fit). He correctly diagnosed RS42's for me as they are good on track (no fade after 30 mins on track) and apparently better than RS14s from cold esp. in the wet for those early morning commutes to the office.

Have a quick search in this forum <all the words> "pagid mintex" for some more dialoge.

[gooby]

It will not be warped discs, with warped discs you get vibration not squeking.

With low pads you get grinding and on pads with a wear indicator you get a awful shrik / squeak when the pads are getting low.

The most common cause of squeaking is a problem with anti squeal shims, they can move and become ineffective or corrode and become ineffective.

If you know the pads are low then it is probably the wear indicator starting to give thier warning.

[hbaumhardt]

gooby said:

It will not be warped discs, with warped discs you get vibration not squeking.

Ah, Mr Gooby but I must disagree; mostly, but not always ! I had low speed eek eek eek squeeking on a front disk after a hard day which was sorted with a skim using the same pads.

[shangani]

There is no squealing under braking - only at low speed with foot off brake. Dab of the brakes - noise stops. No juddering under braking either.

Thanks for the advice re steve - phoned him and will likely fit Rs42's

[gooby]

hbaumhardt said:

gooby said: It will not be warped discs, with warped discs you get vibration not squeking. Ah, Mr Gooby but I must disagree; mostly, but not always ! I had low speed eek eek eek squeeking on a front disk after a hard day which was sorted with a skim using the same pads.

Ah but you would also have an uneven braking responce! (and vibration under braking!)

[bogie]

RS42s are fine for 99% of people....dont think you will notice the benefit of RS14s unless racing and upgraded discs too..they also squeal a lot on the road

[hbaumhardt]

gooby said:

Ah but you would also have an uneven braking responce! (and vibration under braking!)

Yes a little pull and shimmy, but not so much as it all only happend at low speeds and was masked by the squeek. A good diverson from contract hunting, but I think we have done this one to death now

[rixge]

gooby, What characteristics would there be with a rear warped disk ?

Rick.