DB12 Squeaking Brakes

[Stark999]

So, within the first few days of taking delivery of our new DB12 Volante we noticed squeaking brakes (which I have had on my Vantage previously). Now the dealer then said, the car has been stored so just run the car for a while and it will be fine, and give the wheels a good jet wash, which we did. 2000 miles later and still the same issue.

So in it went to the dealership - and via AM Customer Service, i got a letter to say, that there was an AM Engineer at the dealership that day and yes they found an issue with the rear pads and they had become contaminated. They advised us not to wash the alloys with acid cleaners which could damage the pads etc, and as a goodwill gesture they would replace them BUT if this happened again, it would not be covered.

I WAS NOT HAPPY!! Because this was reported when we got the car and hadn't even washed it, and I have had my car washed twice in the meantime by a professional detailer who only uses soap and water on them. I also forbid the dealer from washing my car when they have it.

Suffice to say I wrote back a very harsh letter to say that if this happens again, i will be taking the car back to them and if they want to try and prove its my fault, good luck to them, as i have enough proof to show that this is their issue and not mine.

They also said it has never happened on a DB12 before. They admit it on the Vantage and DB11, I then said, isn't it funny that it has also been squeaking on the courtesy DB12 that we have at the moment....

[skhannes]

It is interesting to note - In the DB11 Owner's Manual there is this excerpt:



I do not have access to a DB12 owner's Manual, but unless the brakes between the two models are different, very different, why would the DB12 not squeal or have this message too.

[skyebear]

skhannes said:

It is interesting to note - In the DB11 Owner's Manual there is this excerpt:



I do not have access to a DB12 owner's Manual, but unless the brakes between the two models are different, very different, why would the DB12 not squeal or have this message too.

"Feature, not a bug."

[bogie]

Many times when Ive had squeaky brakes, just bedding them in again has helped. Over time and thousands of miles of light regular road use they glaze over and can start to squeal again. Its just the combination of pad/disc.

Redpants has a good guide

https://www.redpants.lol/diy-brake-pad-bedding

Although I would imagine that the dealer should be following the bedding in instructions after fitting any new pads and/or before customers picking a new car up.....

[LTP]

skhannes said:

I do not have access to a DB12 owner's Manual, <snip>

You do now. Just select the model year (24MY or 25MY)

https://www.astonmartin.com/en-gb/owners/owners-gu...





click on the images to expand

[skhannes]

Thanks for the site. I downloaded the owner's manual for the DB12...

....And there it is. P5.29



Aston states - the brakes can and will squeal.

[ProfLumen]

As has been stated, all Aston brakes squeal, including the carbon ceramics. A think a build up of brake dust exacerbates the problem, so jet washing can help. My own technique for effecting a temporary cure is to carry out repeated heavy braking from speed (when safe to do so, of course). This will stop the noise for a while.

[Stark999]

Well that’s a response in the manual to cover themselves

[Jay_Davis]

bogie said:

Many times when Ive had squeaky brakes, just bedding them in again has helped. Over time and thousands of miles of light regular road use they glaze over and can start to squeal again. Its just the combination of pad/disc.

That's been my experience in the past too. However, that doesn't seem to be the case with my 2020 Vantage (steel brakes). No matter what I do, they just squeal as badly a car with racing pads on them. At this point I've given up until its time to replace the brakes, then I'll see what kind of options I can find that might be better.

[skhannes]

My DB11 V12 brakes do not squeal or squeak....EVER.

It is BC I changed brake pad compositions.

I don't track the car...EVER, so I do not need competition brake pads. My car is a GT and will never be tracked. I do not live, day to day, with an annoying sound and the car suits my needs.

[Crumpet]

I think the general consensus on DB11 was to replace with Porterfield pads.

There’s no excuse for the squealing brakes; other manufacturers offer better performing brakes with no noise. That being said, the noise never really bothered me, despite being ever-present.

[BiggaJ]

Never had it on my Vantage of old but do have it on my current 2019 car ... I just live with it, it doesn't bother me at all.

[LTP]

I was catching up on this thread (disclaimer - my V8V brakes rarely squeal but, if they do, a quick "Italian tune-up" soon fixes the issue) and a thought struck me. Many are complaining about "Aston brakes squealing", but why? Aston don't make the calipers. Aston don't make the discs or rotors. Aston don't make the pads - I don't believe they even have unique friction material compounds. I doubt the problem is the attachments to the hubs or suspension uprights.

I'm genuinely interested (I feel an internet search coming on) but if anyone actually knows....

[john ryan]

Brake squeal is a high frequency resonance (usually). When I worked on this 50 years ago, the practical solution was to change something. Difficult to change the mass or material of the brake components, and anti-squeal compound on the back of pads is not a permanent solution. Shims with cut-outs can change the centre of pressure, and sometimes work. Italian tune-up can also work for a while. Surface finish of the rotor can also be a factor.
The solution on my V8V was to change the friction material. I use Range Rover pads on the front, with the added benefit of almost no dust. No squeal at all, and no apparent dimunition in effectiveness.
I am rather amazed that so many manufacturers have failed to get to grip with this.

[skhannes]

LTP said:

I was catching up on this thread (disclaimer - my V8V brakes rarely squeal but, if they do, a quick "Italian tune-up" soon fixes the issue) and a thought struck me. Many are complaining about "Aston brakes squealing", but why? Aston don't make the calipers. Aston don't make the discs or rotors. Aston don't make the pads - I don't believe they even have unique friction material compounds. I doubt the problem is the attachments to the hubs or suspension uprights.

I'm genuinely interested (I feel an internet search coming on) but if anyone actually knows....

This is correct, of course. Aston, like all other manufacturers, go to catalogues, in this case the Brembo one and choose a system for the front and rear axle. Other manufacturers can (and do) choose those same catalogue items for their cars. What can vary in these brake systems is the type/compound of the replaceable brake pads.

Aston is and has traditionally been very closed with the information they provide the aftermarket with concerning all replacement parts because they want all replacements to be purchased through their dealer networks (at least very evident in the US/NA marketplace). Regarding the brake pads, Aston assumes every owner will use its products to their fullest potential, therefore, will only specify high performance replacements. With brakes, it is essentially one choice from a couple different manufacturers and is the highest performing item in their lineups.

When researching other car manufacturers that use these same Brembo brake systems, the aftermarket is much richer in choices than only one option from a couple of suppliers. Some of those choices are less optimal performance (as needed in track use), but more focused on wear, dust control, noiseless, etc. So, the noise, the brake dust, the performance can all be adjusted for personal use with some research.

[Simpo Two]

My Aston (DB9) is the only car I've ever owned that has squeaky brakes.

I 'd like low dust and squeak-free. It doesn't seem much to ask of a car that cost six figures new. I seem to have high dust extra squeal brakes.

[CSK1]

The carbon ceramics squeal at low speed on my DBX707 but not on my older V12 Vantage.
You’ll find carbon ceramic disc brakes can be noisy as stated in the owner’s manual.

[bogie]

Ive got carbon ceramic on my V12VS and they are the first Aston brakes I've had that dont squeal ....well at least in the 6k miles ive done so far

The original Pagids in my 2006 Vantage squealed, so I tried EBC. They were better, but from time to time would become noisy and need re-bedding in.

Then on my next 2012 Vantage, I replaced the OE pads with Porterfield. Fantastic, great feel, no dust, no noise. They were still on the car when I traded it in.

For steel discs I would fit the Porterfield pads. For CCMs then I would start with completing the factory bedding in procedure (what the dealer should have done during PDI or after fitting new pads)

[RoNNy379CH]

on our older 2020 Vantage i was went the Porterfield way. Our brand new 2025 squals also.

What I noticed during the change was that all the bearing elements and the backs of the pads facing the brake cylinder were completely lubricated. I coated them with ceramic paste during the change and will do the same with our 2025 model.