Ok what causes brakes to squeal and how do you make it stop. My new disc brakes (less than 2,000 miles) squeal when you apply the brakes with a nice even foot pressure, they also squeal/chirp while driving 25mph or slower, at least thats when I can hear it. I have pulled my wheels and blown off the pads and rotors with my air compressor, and applied fresh brake grease to the caliper pins. The pads are not worn anywhere near the wear indicator. The squealing stopped for about 5 stops then started up again. It really sucks to pull in somewhere with a great sounding engine and then blow it because of squealing brakes. In a related problem my wifes Grand Caravan just got new brakes and they squeal real bad too. Please help me make this noise go away.
Thanks, Rob

Most of the brake pads that you buy today have a shim on the back of the pads to help prevent squeal and that doesn't always work. What I do is get some of the spray brake quiet and spray the back of the pads with it, even if the shims are already there. If you installed pads on your Chevelle that are bonded( without rivets)they are going to squeal and the same thing applies to your caravan, although some brake pad manufacturers bevel the leading edges of the pads to try to prevent squeal, it still happens.

They make some 'goo' that goes behind the pads to stop squealing too.

What type of pads are you using? I've found thru experimentation that most of the semi-metalic pads squeal pretty bad. A lot of newer cars use them, but you must make sure the shims are in there. Another thing that has worked for me is to use some RTV on the back of the pads right before you install them. Not too much and it's not really to glue them to anything, but the hardened RTV seems to stop the harmonics of the pads which is what causes the squealing.
If your budget is up for it, you might want to try the ceramic brake pads, they are supposed to be real quiet, but stop even better. My next set will be the Quietstop pads from Raybestos but they are about $60/set.

Good luck,
Bill C.

Thanks for the replies, the brakes on my chevelle are from CPP and are the riveted style pad. Unsure what was used on the Caravan. Sounds like all the trick fluids are to be applied to the back of the pad and not the actual braking surface. Can I bevel the edges myself?
Rob

Take the Semi-Metallic pads off and buy a set of Ceramic pads like the Quiet Stops made by Raybestos or anyone else. I have had it with the Semi Metallics and will pay the $65 for a Ceramic set of pads.

A small bottle of the "blue goo" (permatex disc brake quiet) that goes on the backs of the pads is only a few bucks and will last a looong time. A little of it on the areas the caliper contacts the backing of the pad and no more squeal.

K

What Bob said! graemlins/thumbsup.gif
The Raybestos QS pads are the greatest.
Very quiet and an added benefit is no brake dust on your $$$ wheels. :cool: