Brake Squeal Causes and Cures

Here are some reasons and pointers for you

Firsts of all brake squeal can happen with ANY brake pad, pad type pr brand and on almost any vehicle

Facts are

• Brake squeal always happens within the first 200-500 miles and usually goes away after that
• It depends massively upon brake disc/rotor condition. A used rotor with a lip at the edge or an uneven surface can mean double the time for any noise to stop.
• On automotive cast iron rotors with an uneven condition, the ideal fix is to have them machined on a Pro Cut lathe. A used rotor that is skimmed on the Pro Cut lathe is actually better than a new rotor provided the thickness minimums are respected. The cast rotor matrix settles after use.
• There are different types of Squeal ranging from “Creep Graunch “ which is a small noise as you release the brake from a standstill, usually worse in reverse and is hard to rectify up to brake squeal referred to under point 1)

Remedies

• Make sure your pads have noise shims, provided on all EBC pads.
• Allow pads to bed in and if noise continues after 500 miles give the brake system a good workout with a few heavier brake applications on a safe road
• Check caliper condition, calipers need to be removed and serviced every 5-7 years or exchanged. Sliders and pins in calipers corrode and cause pad drag that leads to brake overheat and squeal.
• If noise continues after the above contact your pad supplier to discuss a different grade of pad, at EBC we have a no quibble replacement for customers who have issues with such things, having said that the incidence of noise on EBC pads after bed in is almost zero.