I just bought some new rotors and was thinking it might be a good idea to get some new pads with them as well. I am trying to eliminate the brake squeal and have tried everything I can think of to stop it, so I decided to get new rotors to see if that would help. Would new pads also be a good idea?

 

Yes, I would get new pads if I'm replacing the rotors. This will ensure that the pads bed to the face of the rotors properly.

The squealing is caused by the vibrations of the brake pad. If you apply anti-squeal compound on the back of the pad between the shims properly it should silence the squealing.

 

Here are my thoughts having just done the brakes. I think it's ok to put new pads in w/o new rotors. My rotors are smooth and other people have said the same thing.

BUT, if you're doing new rotors, you would have to remove the calipers anyway and do the extra 2 bolts to get the rotor off, so might as well do the pads too. IF the pads are really new, then ok, leave them because it only takes about 10 minutes to change pads on one side.

Are you squealing with factory pads or aftermarket? Make sure that on the piston side there are two shims. The dark colored one goes against the backing plate of the pad. The silver one will go after the dark one and against the piston. I forgot the silver ones but luckily I have no squeals anyway. I'm using the 99Y factory pads though. Good luck and let us know if you figure out why you're squealing.

 

I have tried the anti squeal stuff twice now, still no deal with fixing the problem. I have cleaned them several times, and still it doesn't help at all. So I just broke down and bought new rotors and think new pads would work best. When you order new pads do they usually come with new shims for them?

 

No, the pads are around $49 (25% off). The shims are part of a Front brake hardware kit that lists for $22 or so ($16.50 with discount). It'll give you the black and silver shims for each side, and also the retaining clips. I bought them but used the old hardware, which is why we missed both shims upon reinstallation. I used to think those clips were "scrapers" which touched the rotors when the pads were worn. They're not, because they're in the same position after the fat new pads are in.

Try that hardware kit, it just may get rid of the squeal. But my dealer told me aftermarket pads "grab" the rotors and there is some squeal that's unavoidable. the 99Y are organic as opposed to the key value ones which are also metallic in nature (hence noisier). What I'm curious about is whether or not brand new rotors can be squeal-free if you have nice aftermarket pads.

 

What brand of anti-squeal stuff are you using? The orange goo-stuff from CRC? Permatex spray?