Squealing brakes

Jay_78

Jay_78

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Hi all

A few months back I had all brakes and pads changed. Now after driving for between 30 mins and hour the brakes have a rotating squealing noise and when gently applying brake pedal squeal like crazy. I took them back to company that fitted them and informed them of problem. They cleaned them up and sent me on my way. Drove home and problem still there. Phoned them and they said they would then replace discs and pads but when took down there they now reckon it's a sticking caliper. Can anyone advise?

Regards

James
 
Jay_78 said:
Hi all

A few months back I had all brakes and pads changed. Now after driving for between 30 mins and hour the brakes have a rotating squealing noise and when gently applying brake pedal squeal like crazy. I took them back to company that fitted them and informed them of problem. They cleaned them up and sent me on my way. Drove home and problem still there. Phoned them and they said they would then replace discs and pads but when took down there they now reckon it's a sticking caliper. Can anyone advise?

Regards

James
Click to expand...


Brake squeal is invariably generated between brake piston and brake pad (NOT brake pad to brake disc) and that's why people like Mintex produce a self-adhesive "anti-squeal" shim for OEM brake pads:

Mintex anti squeal shims ​

For example, see: eBay item number: 372708128842

Alternatively, fit a set of Ferodo Eco-Green brake pads, see my ASN thread: https://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threads/ferodo-eco-friction-green-brake-pads-for-the-8p-rs3.397139/

I've these fitted now on our TT, RS3, and SQ5, and are just brilliant; low dust and low noise and ZERO low speed brake squeal... :racer:

 
Jay_78 said:
Hi all

A few months back I had all brakes and pads changed. Now after driving for between 30 mins and hour the brakes have a rotating squealing noise and when gently applying brake pedal squeal like crazy. I took them back to company that fitted them and informed them of problem. They cleaned them up and sent me on my way. Drove home and problem still there. Phoned them and they said they would then replace discs and pads but when took down there they now reckon it's a sticking caliper. Can anyone advise?

Regards

James
Click to expand...

PS: 100% sure it'll NOT be a "sticking caliper" :readit:

To prove: remove brake pads from front caliper: apply a coat of Copperslip or Ceratec: refit pads and low speed brake squeal eliminated. However, this is a temporary measure as once the Copperslip/Ceratec has dispersed then the brake squeal will return. So for a long term solution fit either anti-squeal shims or a brake pad with a suitable anti-squeal shim.

Here's the 8P RS3 issue and solution: 1) std OEM (squealy) pad and 2) std OEM pad with (now silent) anti-squeal shim:

P1000474 P1000475​

 
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I find this all a but difficult to believe. On my previous audi a4 I had no problems at all. Please note that squealing noise also happens on wheel rotation once discs or pads warmed up and without pressing down on brakes. I had no anti squeal pads on my previous car. Squealing noises should surely only happen if pads worn down. Mechanic is yelling me its sticky caliper and also would cause squealing noise when lightly pressing brakes as well as rotating squealing noise without pressing brakes. I just want to know what the real cause is because I am being told lots of different things. I was going to get all pads and discs replaced under the parts warranty but think they are trying trying to avoid that and make me pay more out.
 
Can back up what has been said. I had sqweaky pads after a full change on a bmw I owned. Drove me mad. Applied adhesive pad stickers. Solved the issue. Cheap easy fix.

Sent from my SM-N950F using Tapatalk
 
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Jay_78 said:
I find this all a but difficult to believe. On my previous audi a4 I had no problems at all. Please note that squealing noise also happens on wheel rotation once discs or pads warmed up and without pressing down on brakes. I had no anti squeal pads on my previous car. Squealing noises should surely only happen if pads worn down. Mechanic is yelling me its sticky caliper and also would cause squealing noise when lightly pressing brakes as well as rotating squealing noise without pressing brakes. I just want to know what the real cause is because I am being told lots of different things. I was going to get all pads and discs replaced under the parts warranty but think they are trying trying to avoid that and make me pay more out.
Click to expand...

It is still the brake pad back-plate vibrating at high frequency - hence the squeal like sound - on the piston/s.

I know of RS3's famously (a huge problem with the 8P RS3 and 8J TTRS (same caliper and OEM pads, etc)) both with and without the issue, Jay, and I still, and neither can Audi GmbH, cannot fathom why the difference; maybe it's the driver and/or driving style, who knows...

But OEM Pads are an issue, period. Other non OEM pads (Ferodo and/or EBC Redstuff) have a good anti-squeal backplate, but some don't.

If you want to retain OEM pads the, as 'feva' says, a quick and cost effective resolution is to apply a self-adhesive anti-squeal shim.

Otherwise I can strongly recommend Ferodo Eco-Green brake pads...

Hope you resolve your issue soon. :thumbs up:
 
Jay_78 said:
I find this all a but difficult to believe. On my previous audi a4 I had no problems at all. Please note that squealing noise also happens on wheel rotation once discs or pads warmed up and without pressing down on brakes. I had no anti squeal pads on my previous car. Squealing noises should surely only happen if pads worn down. Mechanic is yelling me its sticky caliper and also would cause squealing noise when lightly pressing brakes as well as rotating squealing noise without pressing brakes. I just want to know what the real cause is because I am being told lots of different things. I was going to get all pads and discs replaced under the parts warranty but think they are trying trying to avoid that and make me pay more out.
Click to expand...

What makes you so sure that your previous A4 did not have anti squeal shims fitted to the pads, a lot of the time that used to be the difference between OEM and aftermarket pads, ie OEM pads maybe even from Textar came complete with anti squeal shims fitted, places like ECP tended to sell "OEM" replacements that did not have these anti squeal shims fitted, basically because they were/are selling a different pad kit than that originally fitted to the car. I've had an email conversation with the UK sales people for TMD Friction about this but they can't stop ECP selling the incorrect parts.
 
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I am curious to know if the op has standard calipers or brembo calipers.
I presume there the standard sliding type single piston design.
If he has the standard sliding type caliper, then it sounds like his caliper slides are probably sticking, require new seals grease, service etc..
Or, the main piston dust boot has perished causing the piston to corrode slightly at the end and not return nicely back into position.
Are your calipers rusty?

My A5 near side would regularly squeak/squeal basically get on my teets, but would be ok for a bit after a bit of love and attention.
And then a few weeks later, same again.
My options were, get new caliper, or get caliper refurbished or upgrade to Q5 brembo calipers which are basically bolt on plug and play.
4 pots instead of one big piston.
2 at the front 2 at the back, not one big one.
I went for the last option.
And fitted Q5 brembo calipers.
They look smart too, and made of aluminum so don't rust.

And oh my the difference is night and day.
Although these are prone to squeal, I haven't encountered any yet.
However, if they do, as said above I will fit the shims as mentioned by these dear gentlemen
 
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For me this issue began back in the late 60's when asbestos was banned from friction materials and the 'usual' resolution then was an anti-squeal shim, usually with Copa-slip (Copperslip) between shim and brake pad to provide a vibration-absorbing cushion.

If you've ever had the fortune to observe high-speed vibration testing you'll recognise the noise made and that's typical of the issue here.

For sure Jay_78 ought to evaluate a low cost £s self-adhesive anti-squeal shim solution first: wheels off/ pads out/ self-adhesive anti-squeal shims applied to pads/re-fit pads/re-fit wheels, and silent low/high speed braking I've no doubt - even with OEM Audi brake pads, lol...
 
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CHEZ said:
I am curious to know if the op has standard calipers or brembo calipers.
I presume there the standard sliding type single piston design.
If he has the standard sliding type caliper, then it sounds like his caliper slides are probably sticking, require new seals grease, service etc..
Or, the main piston dust boot has perished causing the piston to corrode slightly at the end and not return nicely back into position.
Are your calipers rusty?

My A5 near side would regularly squeak/squeal basically get on my teets, but would be ok for a bit after a bit of love and attention.
And then a few weeks later, same again.
My options were, get new caliper, or get caliper refurbished or upgrade to Q5 brembo calipers which are basically bolt on plug and play.
4 pots instead of one big piston.
2 at the front 2 at the back, not one big one.
I went for the last option.
And fitted Q5 brembo calipers.
They look smart too, and made of aluminum so don't rust.

And oh my the difference is night and day.
Although these are prone to squeal, I haven't encountered any yet.
However, if they do, as said above I will fit the shims as mentioned by these dear gentlemen
Click to expand...

You need to consider these CHEZ: Ferodo Eco-Green brake pads: see my ASN thread: https://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threads/ferodo-eco-friction-green-brake-pads-for-the-8p-rs3.397139/

Seriously amazing...
 
I want a pad that produces zero dust.
Does such a pad exist.?
Other than carbon ceramic pads and discs.
Anyway that's a whole different topic.
I am curious on the op calipers lol
 
Last edited:
CHEZ said:
I want a pad that produces zero dust.
Does such a pad exist.?
Other than carbon ceramic pads and discs.
Anyway that's a whole different topic.
I am curious on the op calipers lol
Click to expand...

7072.gif
 
Thanks for your comments. That may explain the squealing noise when pressing on brakes. However that does not explain the rotary squealing noise that occurs when discs and pads warm up. This noise happens after about 30 min driving and not pressing down on brake pedal at all.
 
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Jay_78 said:
Thanks for your comments. That may explain the squealing noise when pressing on brakes. However that does not explain the rotary squealing noise that occurs when discs and pads warm up. This noise happens after about 30 min driving and not pressing down on brake pedal at all.
Click to expand...

Then that could easily be a sticking brake pad in the caliper and/or piston, James. Again, I'd pull the pads, clean and refit, checking for anything that prevents the pad 'sliding' freely in the caliper. And while your at it, a set of self-adhesive anti-squeal shims. Alternatively, and my 100% recommendation, a set of Ferodo Eco-Green brake pads...

PS: can't tell you the number of brake pads I've had to 'knock' out of a brake caliper over the years; brake pads don't move much in the caliper and therefore are all to easy to seize and/or stick in the caliper; when you consider the brake dust contamination on the wheel rim you can be sure there's a lot more of that in the caliper...
 
Thanks for your reply. So this does not mean replacing the caliper then. I was told by the place that fitted the new pads and discs it was a sticking caliper therefore costing me more money. Is it worth me demanding they replace the discs and pads as they came with warranty first?
 
Jay_78 said:
Thanks for your reply. So this does not mean replacing the caliper then. I was told by the place that fitted the new pads and discs it was a sticking caliper therefore costing me more money. Is it worth me demanding they replace the discs and pads as they came with warranty first?
Click to expand...

I still think, from what you've said, it'll be a strip-and-clean-and-rebuild, and if you've still a "warranty" that covers brakes then let 'em get on with it.

My own 8P RS3 started with brake squeal at 1200 miles and though my Audi dealer, not the supplier (DK Engineering) offered to clean my brakes as a "goodwill" gesture I decided to strip and clean the calipers myself and that was when I realised that even a brand-new Audi can be supplied with "brake pads stuck in the caliper." And I've seen several more since! Brake calipers and pads are a sub-assembly i.e., supplied pre-assembled! They don't build cars like they used to....

What 1) year is your car and 2) mileage?
 
So dont replace caliper which they say is sticking and therefore needs replacing. Instead ask them to strip and rebuild and even replace with new pads and discs or just new pads including some anti squeal shims to pit on pads?
 
Jay_78 said:
So dont replace caliper which they say is sticking and therefore needs replacing. Instead ask them to strip and rebuild and even replace with new pads and discs or just new pads including some anti squeal shims to pit on pads?
Click to expand...

I don't have the full history of your vehicle but that sounds to me the right way forward. After all, you're not complaining of "poor brakes" just "a rotating squealing noise" so replacing brake discs and pads would seem a tad expensive £s if you're paying...
 
Thanks everyone for advice. I think plan is to ask them to to replace pads and discs because when purchased new pads and discs they came with warranty. I will also ask them to strip and rebuild but they will potentially do this if replace pads and discs. I will also ask them to add anti squeal shims to pads. How much are these anti squeal shims? Also for info the pads and discs are Pagid. They told me these are good make but starting to doubt what they are telling me. By the sounds of everyones comments it's the pads that are the issue not the a sticking caliper or the discs.
 
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Jay_78 said:
Oh and my car is is 2010. 114000 miles.
Click to expand...

So again, James, I'd be pulling the pads, cleaning pads and caliper. Coat the brake pad back-plate with Ceratec and refit. Then monitor the 'noise.'

You obviously have an issue where the pad remains in 'kissing' contact with the brake disc.

Have FUN...
 
There's an easy way to rule out a sticking caliper. Start the car, apply the brakes, drive for 10 minutes and coast to a stop without without braking. A seized piston will have generated significant heat on the disc as the pads are effectively in constant contact with the disc. You should be able to feel the heat. Remember not to touch the disc face, but you can touch disc edge.

It could also be sized brake sliders. Normally with seized caliper or brake sliders, the pad faces become glazed over time. You might also see heat spots on the discs. Significant brake dust is also another indication compared to other wheels.

Doesn't have to involve a replacement caliper. The piston 'o' ring can be replaced as part of a brake rebuild with a kit from a Bigg Red, lube sliders, copper slip on reverse of pads and edges where they sit in the brake carrier.
 
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