Brake Noise

[xbongox]

It seems as though every time my brakes start warming up from driving/stopping, my brakes squeek and when i push down the brake pedal when im stopped, they make a clicking/creeking type sound? I bought my 05 sti about a week and a half ago, and im trying to debug all the noises that shouldnt be. The brake pads are brand new (not oem tho) and the brakes work amazingly, but i just dont know what that damn sound is. Anyone have this problem before or know of a solution?

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[chapstien]

Some pads make noise.

[nairbmik]

Yeah, what pads are they?

[xbongox]

I cant tell just by looking at them, I just know that they arent the OEM pads. I could understand if they just squeak as your stopping, but it's just the noise that it makes when your at a full stop and press/release the break.

[Landman]

Well allot of higher quality pad do have a tendency to do a bit of squeaking.

If some one replaced the pads with out the spaces on the back side of the pad could that create some "paly" in the pads and pistons for weird nosies to take place during use? Just a though and could be an easy mistake to make. ALSO if the pads were not greased on the back of them between and the pistons could that cause problems/sounds?

[Java Black Pearl]

Originally Posted by xbongox

I cant tell just by looking at them, I just know that they arent the OEM pads. I could understand if they just squeak as your stopping, but it's just the noise that it makes when your at a full stop and press/release the break.

Obviously with out seeing or hearing in person I can't tell what your issue is, but the 'symptom' you described sounds similar to what my Hawk HPS pads do, especially when I am on a hill and release the brakes when it is cold out.

[Landman]

Originally Posted by Java Black Pearl

Obviously with out seeing or hearing in person I can't tell what your issue is, but the 'symptom' you described sounds similar to what my Hawk HPS pads do, especially when I am on a hill and release the brakes when it is cold out.

I use Hawk HPS pads and have none of those issues. Could incorrectly bedding in brakes cause things like this?

[al82]

If the brake pads are ment for racing and autox then its going to make noise, its just how some pads are. Since you just bought the car i would recommend you change the engine oil, tranny fluid, brake fluid and maybe the pads if you want.

[xbongox]

Yea, when i first heard it, I pulled out the pads and found out that the person who owned the car put 3 shims on each pad for the front. I removed the extras and gresed it up like normal and put em back in. It didnt help the noise, but it definitely was something that didnt need to be there. I'll try changin the fluids this weekend and see if that makes any difference. Ill also see if i can take a video of some sort sometime today and post it up on youtube so i can link it here, this way i can get everyone to hear exactly what the noise is.

[Java Black Pearl]

Originally Posted by Landman

I use Hawk HPS pads and have none of those issues. Could incorrectly bedding in brakes cause things like this?

I installed the fronts - bedded them in. Installed the backs six months later - bedded them in. I even re-greased all the hardware. All to no avail, I have just accepted the faint squeel when I am on a decline and have to release the brakes slowly to allow the car to inch forward as a characteristic of the pad.

[arrrwhyy]

Sorry nooby question.. if the higher performance pads tend to squeal a lot, when would you know to change them out? I thought it was time to change pads when they squeal?

[Java Black Pearl]

Originally Posted by arrrwhyy

Sorry nooby question.. if the higher performance pads tend to squeal a lot, when would you know to change them out? I thought it was time to change pads when they squeal?

My squeal is faint and only my I am on a steep decline and have to release the brake slowly.

When you have worn your brakes down to the squeal tab - the squeal for the most part will be constant when ever you brake.

On my '04 WRX even with the wheel still on you can pretty much get a clear look to see how much pad is left and how close to the squeal tab you are.

[mtbiker278]

If it's an older car you might look into replacing the pad retaining hardware. After so many heat cycles and pad changes I think they don't hold the pad as firm. Plus it's only a couple bucks at a local parts store.

[the suicidal eggroll]

Originally Posted by arrrwhyy

Sorry nooby question.. if the higher performance pads tend to squeal a lot, when would you know to change them out? I thought it was time to change pads when they squeal?

On a lot of cars you can see how much pad material you have left without even taking off the wheel.

[tedward88]

^^ that and when the pads are gone, there is excessive shaking coming from your steering wheel, also sometimes you can feel it when your stepping on the brake pedal

[mtbiker278]

Originally Posted by tedward88

^^ that and when the pads are gone, there is excessive shaking coming from your steering wheel, also sometimes you can feel it when your stepping on the brake pedal

^^^ At this point you might have marred up your rotors. Visual inspection is probably the best. It can be done with the wheel on, but you'll only see the outside pad. If you have the time, I'd do a wheel off inspection. If for whatever reason you had a sticky slide pin, or piston the inside pad would wear faster. I would assume this is the reason why those screech clips are on the inside of the pads.

If the pads are worn down a bunch (<1/8-1/16"), it's probably a good idea to replace them. Cheaper to replace pads upfront than it is to replace rotors and pads later. Also if the pads are unevenly worn inside to outside, you'll probably want to have the calipers inspected and lubed.