What do squealing brakes mean?

[joelk]

Hi there,

My brakes (on my '99 Cebera 4.5 lightweight) have started to make a sqeauling sound when pressed. It doesn't happen all the time but it is loud and has been happenning a fair bit over the past couple of days.

Does anyone know what this normally indicates?

Many thanks,

Joel.

[zefarelly]

firstly it means they work . . . .so dont worry!

squealing is caused by fine vibrations, usually behind the pads there are antisqueal shims (thin bits of bent stainless steel basically) check that they havent been left out for any reason, when I change pads I put a bit of copper ease grease on the back of the pad, this helps too.

[vodkakid]

could also mean you've got no pad left and its time to get new ones

[granville]

Don't worry; mine did it and apparently this is common on the AP Racing stoppers that (certainly were/) are fitted to the model.

Fwiw, I put some ridiculous Pagid pads on my Porker's clamps and it too squeals like King Pig 'imself - bloody awful!

But yep, you knows you is stopping!

[Thom]

derestrictor said:Fwiw, I put some ridiculous Pagid pads on my Porker's clamps and it too squeals like King Pig 'imself - bloody awful!

I hope you didn't keep the stock discs: the pagid are prone to eating standard discs!

What is the pagid colour code you did go for?

[granville]

You got me there, Thom!

A friend worked for Pagid and simply recommended them...I rather blindly accepted his wisdom and the local OPC fitted them during it's last service - they didn't say anything so I trust they're ok!

Must say, stopping power did/has improved but since you raise the query, I shall investigate and get back to you...

Thanks (he says nervously, wondering whether the next retardation will result in a less than suitable response from the anchors!)

[Thom]

You're welcome

When I bought my porker it had just been serviced by a German OPC and it was fitted with "black" Pagids: it was braking very well indeed but 6,000 miles later the discs were so badly worn out they needed changing

[joelk]

Thanks for the advice fellas...

Strangely, I had the car washed earlier today - and for now at least the sqealing has gone away.

...Must try that one on the misses.

[beljames]

Don't often see anti-rattle shims on them nowadays. Take the pads out, lag the backing plate with something like Copper-Ease which might help.

Edited to say - I really must read these posts before I reply (zefarelly...)

>> Edited by beljames on Wednesday 19th February 21:56

[zefarelly]

another cause of squealing is dust, so when its been dry for a long time sometimes they squeal like a piggy . . . .a good wash and or a down pour is often enough.

if your pads are worn down they wont squeal . . .you'll know about it big time, because they wont work very well at all, and you'll feel the unmistakeable metal on metal grinding through the pedal . . . .not nice. doesnt do the discs much good either