Getting some squeal from Hawk LTS pads and Slotted rotors

Mossyoakglock · May 15, 2013

Two weeks ago I put on some Hawk LTS pads and powerslot slotted rotors. I did the bed-in processed that Hawk recommends but now I am getting some squeal. It seems to start at about 20 mph but I can't tell when it goes away at higher speeds because of the other road noise.

I greased everything and used the CRC Brake quiet on the back of the pads and now it is squeaking. For the first few days I had them on they were quiet. I think it is only the driver's side because I can't hear anything from the passenger side.

I'm going to redo the brakes tonight and regrease everything with some Silaramic that I picked up last night. It says it's good for all moving and metal-to-metal contact points so I'll give it a try. I thought about even lightly sanding the rotors too.

When I re-bed them, do I need to make harder stops from higher speeds since I've already done the bed-in once before?

Any other suggestions?

I can't remember if I remembered to grease the slide pins the first time. Could that be the reason for the squealing while driving?

Mossyoakglock · May 17, 2013

So last night I took everything back apart and regreased everything and make sure the pads and rotors were clean. I used Silaramic this time and also re-bedded the brakes.

I am still getting the squeal at about 10-15 mph and it does not go away. When I stop it tracks straight and true and there is no vibration and I don't think that it's a caliper sticking. It's not super loud but it's there.

Any other suggestions? Can I spray brake cleaner on the face of the pads to make sure they are clean? if not, is there something that I can.

I have contacted both Hawk and Autoanything to see what they can do.

dsmmace · May 18, 2013

Do your rotors have a mirror polish on them? It they do, scuff with a sanding block or a emery disc to take the polish off and rebed them.

DaveH71 · May 19, 2013

Yeah take some fine grit sandpaper to the rotors and scuff them up. Slotted rotors are sometimes noisy but its more of a brushing sound then a squeal. Did the new pads come with shims for the back of them? Try putting the old shims on the new pads and see if it still squeals.

Mossyoakglock · May 19, 2013

They did have a polish on them so I scuffed them and rebed them.

The pads did come with shims.

Mossyoakglock · June 10, 2013

I might need to rebed the brakes again. What grit should I use?

DaveH71 · June 10, 2013

I use the fine stuff, usually somewhere in the 150 - 200 grit range. Scuff them in a circular motion. Try scuffing up the pads a bit as well, it may help get rid of your squeal problem.

Mossyoakglock · June 11, 2013

Can I use regular sandpaper? Some say to not use regular sandpaper because the aluminum oxide can make it worse and to use Garnet paper.

DaveH71 · June 12, 2013

Garnet paper would probably be a good idea, since you have a pre existing squeal that you don't want to make worse.. I've never had any problems with regular paper though.