[IndySTi]

Doing a quick thread search leads me to think there is no good answer for the aftermarket brake pad squeal problem. My original Brembo pads never squealed.

My COBB Street Performance pads came w/o any shims (I'm guessing this is normal). The rear OE Brembo pads have a shim tack-welded to them, so the COBBs went on without anything; the front got the OE shims. My buddy says he thinks my squeal is coming from the rear (as I drive by him standing on the sidewalk).

The pads were professionally installed and I believe I did a proper bed in process. I've put at least 1,000 miles on them since install.

They squeal at light braking after a couple of uses each time I drive. I hear a click in the rear the first time I use them, as if the caliper is picking up a gap between the pad & rotor.

Has anyone ever seen a 'generic' shim kit at the parts store? Has anyone ever seen a Brembo shim kit seperate from the pad kit?

This seems like a REALLY expensive solution:
http://www.racingbrake.com/Brake_Shims_s/2447.htm
Anybody tried this?

I sent this email to COBB two weeks ago and have not gotten a reply.

Gentlemen,
<O
I recently purchased from your website a set of Street Formula pads (Front & Rear) for my ’04 STi. They were installed by a Certified Subaru Technician (Tom Wood Subaru in <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com[IMG] /><st1:City w:st=[/IMG]Indianapolis</ST1</st1:City>). I had intended to have the rotors turned beforehand, but due to a mounting bolt issue on the front right caliper this was not done. We inspected the rotors and decided this would be ok because they were not significantly grooved. I saw part of the Tech’s installation process; he greased the back of the pads, said he used the original plates and shims except for the rears because they were tacked to the old pads. Afterwards, I performed a bed in process where I braked from 80mph to about 30mph at least 5 times in close succession.<O</O
<O</O

Unfortunately, my brakes now squeal badly with light to moderate pedal pressure after a mile or 2 of normal city driving (I assume after they have ‘warmed up’). They now have at least 500 city/highway miles on them with no improvement. I can say the stopping power is equal to or greater than the OEM pads.<O</O
<O</O

I must tell you, I am extremely disappointed. I did a lot of research on pad selection before choosing your product, based on your reputation and integrity. Unless you are aware of a manufacturing problem with this particular lot of pads, I have to believe there has been some mistake in installation or bedding because nowhere did I find in my research any mention of your pads being known to squeal.<O</O
<O</O

I am asking for help and advice on how I can correct the squealing problem. The noise coming up to a stop light is very embarrassing. Any and all suggestions are welcome. I don’t have the money to toss these pads and buy replacements, and I really want to resolve this issue.<O</O
<O</O

Thanks in advance,<O</O
<O</O

John



Anybody got a magic bullet for this??

[BoostJunkie]

In my experience, the Cobb pads are both noisy and produce a lot of dust. I have never had them on my STi but I have seen them on other Subarus and they had that effect, so it may just be how they are. Try putting some anti-squal grease on the back of the pads.

[vandersti]

My stock pads squeek. Maybe I should call Subaru and have them get me pads that don't squeek. I totally understand your fustration with the noise, but its what pads can do. I am sure there is a way to get them not to squeek. ONE way if you have not tried it. Go to a Auto Zone, Napa, or Checkers type store. See you can find some stuff call Anti-squeel brake gel. It looks like a silicon glue that you put on the back of the pad. It should be red colored. I would put this stuff on, and wait for it to try before you put the pads back on. Just a thin coat would be really good amount. This is one way to fix it. I am not defending for Cobb, just that understand that when puting anything on our car is not going to always go smooth. I have a sqeek coming from my new KW's that I got from GTworx. It is not Myles fault that they squeek, just may be something I did. Nor is it KW's fault. I am almost positive they did not plan this. This is all my personal opinion, but with many years working on indy teams, and stock car teams. Try to figure out the fixes instead of pointing fingers, and work as a team with Cobb to have them help you out. Blaming each other only gets you mad and the maker fustrated. I hope my advise helps you and by no means am I flaming you.

VAN

[vandersti]

Originally Posted by BoostJunkie

In my experience, the Cobb pads are both noisy and produce a lot of dust. I have never had them on my STi but I have seen them on other Subarus and they had that effect, so it may just be how they are. Try putting some anti-squal grease on the back of the pads.

See how we both came with the same idea. My Cobbs do not squeek with the gel, but did with out.



VAN

[IndySTi]

Originally Posted by vandersti

Try to figure out the fixes instead of pointing fingers, and work as a team with Cobb to have them help you out. Blaming each other only gets you mad and the maker fustrated.

Well Van, I'm not sure how this quote from my letter could be interpreted as pointing fingers.

Originally Posted by IndySTi

I have to believe there has been some mistake in installation or bedding because nowhere did I find in my research any mention of your pads being known to squeal.

I understand you're not flaming me bud, I AM trying to find a solution. I'm posting up on my favorite forum & sending an email to the manufacturer, hoping that someone has been through this before and can save me some time with a solution.

Not in my 25 years of sports cars have I picked a set of performance brake pads that squealed like a little girl; and this is not my first Japanese car (did I tell you about my 'smokin' '78 RX-7?) Have I notice that many different kinds of race car brake pads squeal when they roll into the pit? Well, duh!?.

So....

Back to my original question: Does anyone have a magic bullet for this? So far I have,:
* Red Anti-squeal brake grease.

Anybody seen generic or Brembo-specific shims?

[vandersti]

I am sorry I don't have anything else to offer. I hope you can figure out the problem. Just to let you know, the gel worked with my pads, BUT i do get a squeel once in a while on really light braking. If I apply a little harder pressure it stops.


VAN

[IndySTi]

It rained pretty hard today.

No brake squeal whatsoever.

Figures.

[555]

Ibelieve the squeel to be a build up of gas on the rotor face.
This is an older quote from http://www.sidc.co.uk/faq.htm#3.6

The Mintex 1155 compound does not need bedded in. Bedding in is actually the thermal cycling of the pad material more than some idea of wearing the pad to the rotor surface. With a new car (pay attention here!) it is very easy to go out an romp on the brakes and heat glaze the surface of the stock pads. The car will have a hard brake pedal and will have poor stopping distances as a result. Because the Mintex 1155 compound has been thermally cycled during the "de-gassing" process, they are ready for prime time out of the box. Just a few good hot passes and they are as good as they are going to get.
They work when cold. Unlike true racing pads, the 1155 compound Mintex pads are designed to operate at a lower and wider temperature range. They will actually stop the car when the brakes are cold. It is a standing joke that many people have purchased racing pads for their street car only, at a minimum, to scare themselves half to death on the freeway the first time they need all the brakes after driving in a straight line for 15 minutes. Racing pads have no grip when cold! A semi-trailer truck with 40,000 pounds on board will out brake you for the first two stops from 70mph. Of course, you will stop about 1000 feet shorter on the third stop, but that is not the point. It is that first stop that counted. Please do not use racing compound pads on the street. The 1155 compound is the practical limit.

[Digitalfiend]

My Hawk HPS pads squeal lightly while coming to a stop. I also get a lot of "clacking" but I've determined that it is the shims and pads moving in the caliper seat as there is a tiny bit of free play. It's pretty hard to mess up a brake install on the STi, so I would imagine that this is pretty normal. I recently took my rear pads out and greased between the shim and pad; that helped for about a week. Now I just live with it and pretend I'm driving a race car.

You could also try applying grease to pad surface.

[IndySTi]

Originally Posted by Digitalfiend

Now I just live with it and pretend I'm driving a race car.

That may be what I end up doing.