Squeaky brakes.

[rmd24]

I have new pads and discs about 2-3000 miles ago. What started out as an occasional squeal at low speed has become an embarrassing shriek at low speed and light pedal pressure. Firmer application and higher speeds are quite silent but I'm getting a bit worried at the number of near heart attacks I appear to be causing amongst elderly pedestrians.
I haven't as yet examined the brakes but I'm pretty certain that the shims would have been inserted correctly.
Is the answer a dollop of Copaslip?

Roger.

[FOX5D]

I put copper slip on my s4 and they still squealed and the problem was one shim missing. Paul Matty's and others couldn't supply but I got a brand new set of shims/pins/clips for not much on Ebay. There is firm manufacturing them but I don't remember the name. I think I looked on ebay under triumph spitfire as they are the same. I do recall passing on the name to Roy in the parts dept at Paul Mattys.

I had a similar problem on my S3 but it was only that one of the shims wasn't fitted properly.

Both cars are fine now so I think it is something that you don't have to accept.

All the best

Jim

[rmd24]

Thanks Jim, when I have a moment (retirement is very busy I can tell you) I'll have a look and if it's a shim problem I'll contact Paul Matty and see if they have managed to source any.
Incidentaly, before coming to France we lived just outside Plymouth on the edge of Dartmoor. I still miss the Moor but not the traffic!

Roger

[rgh0]

You can buy a purpose designed anti squeal compound to put on the backs of the pads ( in Australia it is a pink goo). Filing a bevel on the leading edge of the pads also helps.

cheers
Rohan

[69S4]

Rohan's tip of filing a chamfer on the leading edge of the pad is a good one. It's well known in classic Japanese motorcycle disc brake circles !!!

Do the brakes still squeal in the rain? Mine occasionally squeal when they're bone dry but stop when they get wet. Usually a clean up, a touch of copper slip and flattening the shims in a vice has been enough to stop it.

The pads in my Land Rover come new with some sort of thin "mastic" layer on the back; a sticky black substance about 1mm thick that's obviously an anti squeal solution. The piston indents in it effectively gluing the pad and piston together. I'd guess the aftermarket version would do much the same.

[rmd24]

I'll try some french anti-squeal goo if I can find it, not quite sure of the french for goo. If that fails chamfering the leading edge of the pad sounds good. I can't remember if it happens in the wet, it's such a long time since we had any significant rain here.

Roger.

[FOX5D]

Hi Roger

?7.99 on Ebay-a supplier called Classic Parts Trader selling brand new kits for herald/spitfire (same product used on Elans).

Jim

ps terrible life being retired-I love it!

[twincamman]

I have found that constant and gentle use of brakes causes high spots on the pads . So I take the car up to speed and do 3 hard stops [assuring no one is behind you] this solves to problem and keeps the hands clean for another day ----ed

[rmd24]

Like the sound of that!

[rmd24]

Yep, that worked, 70 mph and three hard stops . Clean hands and no squeaking!

Thanks,

Roger.