Hi all, I have a 1993 Subaru Impreza L and I have an annoying problem. Upon braking, I experience an very loud sqeaul, the kind you would expect from a car needing new brakes. Sometimes it's louder thanother days, and it gives me a damn headache! There's no grinding involved either. Brakes have been chacked MANY times, new semi-metallic brake pads on the front, which the noise seems to be coming from, new rotors, and everything else checks out fine. The brakes work just fine but I'm confused. Is this just characteristic of the older Imprezas or what??Any input wouldbe appreciated, as my uncle who did the brakes knows the car well;he ownedit before me and is a Subaru-certified technician.

Check the slot down the middle of the pad -- if your pads have one -- for dust build-up.

It was indeed just checked on Wednesday and cleaned out as there was a very small amount of dust and now it's still just as loud....

I could be mistaken, but aren't semi-metallic pads going to be louder to begin with? Also, when the pads were replaced on my parents' two cars, they sqealed alot until they were broken in (at least 500 miles).

 

Brian

I could be mistaken, but aren't semi-metallic pads going to be louder to begin with? Also, when the pads were replaced on my parents' two cars, they sqealed alot until they were broken in (at least 500 miles).

 

Brian

 

when we bought our forester (used), the dealer replaced the pads with semi-metallics and they squealed. I asked about it and they said "give it some time." after 3000 miles or so, we were having an oil change somewhere and asked them to check the brakes b/c they were still squealing. the mechanic said they were fine- he said a lot of semi-metallic pads squeal. he said that OEM pads were better b/c they didn't make as much noise.

 

I can't remember but i think it took us 5000-10000 miles before the squeal went away. it's kinda like when a headache goes away.... at some point you realize it's gone.

I've never had much luck with aftermarket brake pads on any of my cars, they usually squeal. Semi-metallics are hard on the rotors, I'd rather replace pads than rotors. If you go with anti-squeal goo, make sure you use it on the ends of the pads where they contact the caliper, not just the backs of the pads.

Try ceramic pads. I used to be a fan of sintered-metallic linings because of their stopping power and fade resistance. But every one squealed, some more than others, due to dust build up.

 

My wife has proven resistant to using engine compression as a brake. She can't get the hang of moving the auto trans gear selector from "OD" to "D" or "2" and just rides the brakes down our hill. I had to turn or replace the rotors in her Suburban every 8-10 months or 10K-12K miles. In desperation I tried the more expensive ceramic pads from Raybestos the last time I replaced the rotors and they have now gone 15K miles with no hint of warp and no squeal. It seemed the ceramic pads didn't have quite the stopping power of metallic, but they are absolutely quiet and their fade resistance seems as good because there is far less heat build up. So, I replaced the pads in my squealing Mits Montero, and all became quiet. I have since replaced the pads on my son's Jeep Cherokee and my daughter's '96 Outback(we're 4wd/awd fans) with ceramic pads, with similar results. I also noticed that the difference in stopping power with the lighter cars is less perceptible. I'm sold.

 

The front pads for the Outback were $50 at Checker. Make sure you use the lube along the contact edges of the pad's backing plate since that can be a source of squealing too.

 

John

My understanding of ceramic brake pads (and someone PLEASE correct me if I'm wrong) is they are more geared towards racing applications and not appropriate for normal street use. I was told they need to "heat up" to get optimum stopping power. So on a race track, where normal pads would get too hot and fade, a ceramic pad will work great. But on the street, you're not braking enough to heat up the ceramic pad and may risk LOSING stopping ability.

 

And from my understanding of ceramics in general (not ceramic brake pads), ceramic material are very "hard" and I would think they would be harsher on a rotor than other types of pads. I have no proof or direct knowledge of this in braking applications- I'm just thinking back to my old ceramics material class.

My understanding of ceramic brake pads (and someone PLEASE correct me if I'm wrong) is they are more geared towards racing applications and not appropriate for normal street use. I was told they need to "heat up" to get optimum stopping power. So on a race track, where normal pads would get too hot and fade, a ceramic pad will work great. But on the street, you're not braking enough to heat up the ceramic pad and may risk LOSING stopping ability.

 

And from my understanding of ceramics in general (not ceramic brake pads), ceramic material are very "hard" and I would think they would be harsher on a rotor than other types of pads. I have no proof or direct knowledge of this in braking applications- I'm just thinking back to my old ceramics material class.

 

if this were true they would not be OEM on many cars.

 

ceramics do have a good initial bite but are not as good at fade resistance. and they do still squeel, but its a much higher frequency so it can't be heard. plus the dust is lighter in color so easier on the eyes in between car washes

 

Joe