legacycentral bbs

well, i just changed my front brake pads a week ago and now they are squeeling like a pig in heat. They also make a loud "Clack" everytime i apply the brake. I checked them again and saw no problems. Could it be the fact that i bought el cheapo brake pads that this problem occurs? Major brake dust too.

Brakes all squeal to some degree when you're braking, but you can minimize the effect if you choose to apply a small amount of anti-squeal compound between the shims. I never use anti-squeal, so I don't know exactly where it goes.

Since you bought cheap pads, I presume you had to reuse the shims and clips that were on your car? Are you sure you got them all in in the right order and right position?

This diagram shows how it's supposed to be:

http://www.graphics.cornell.edu/~v/pics ... brakes.gif

come to think if it. i think the clips were in contact with the rotors even when the brakes werent applied. shims? are they the backing plates that go on the pads? If they are, i dont have those on. but i never did as the pads i took off didnt have them and they didnt clack. At any rate are these something i can obtain at the dealer?
thanks

Shims are indeed the thin metal plates that go over the outside of the pad. Good pads should come with them but cheaper economy pads tend to not have them.

Your clips are touching the rotors even when the brake isn't applied? Could you explain that a little more? Nothing should be touching the rotor besides the pad surface.

A 'clack' sound is not good. Have you double checked to make sure the pads are seated correctly? Could your caliper mounting bolts be loose or anything?

My front brakes squeal like a bitch.

More of a reason to do a WRX front upgrade though. I want some metallic pads, so I can hear a "wooosh" scraping kinda noise instead of a squeal. Well, that is, if car brake pads respond similarly to Mountain bike pads.

everything was doubled even tripled check in terms of tightness and seating. The clip which sits on the caliper bracket has the inner edge touching the rotor. WRX brakes seems like a good idea but not yet. still gotta pay off my digital camera bill Do they sell the shims and clips at the dealer? I'll probably change those and give it a shot.