[Bogie]

I just replaced my front pads and I used the CRC anti-squeal stuff. My brakes are squealing very loudly. My question is to whether or not I have applied this properly.

The pads come with shims. The shims are preapplied with an adhesive. Soooo, naturally, I thought I was to apply this (CRC anti-squeal) to the backside of the pad, which happens to be the shim. When this didn't work, I thought, maybe I was supposed to apply the stuff between the pad and the shim. This seems reasonable, but again... the shim is preapplied. This doesn't make sense. Did I miss something? I still have to do my rear. If I can't quiet the front, I'm going to replace the rear and just take it to an indie... Let them figure it out!

HELP!!!!!

Info... EBC redstuff pads... They're supposed to be quiet and have less dust! RIGHT!

 

[busoptr]

Apply it to the side of the edges and it will not squeal like a pig.

 

[rp41]

I just replaced my front pads and I used the CRC anti-squeal stuff. My brakes are squealing very loudly. My question is to whether or not I have applied this properly.

The pads come with shims. The shims are preapplied with an adhesive. Soooo, naturally, I thought I was to apply this (CRC anti-squeal) to the backside of the pad, which happens to be the shim. When this didn't work, I thought, maybe I was supposed to apply the stuff between the pad and the shim. This seems reasonable, but again... the shim is preapplied. This doesn't make sense. Did I miss something? I still have to do my rear. If I can't quiet the front, I'm going to replace the rear and just take it to an indie... Let them figure it out!

HELP!!!!!

Info... EBC redstuff pads... They're supposed to be quiet and have less dust! RIGHT!

The anti squeal goes between the shim and the back, get some high temp brake grease and put a little dab where metal on the pads touch the metal on the calipers. Also put a little where they slid, behind the rubber bushings. Hope this helps

 

[Bogie]

Follow up... While replacing the back pads, I noticed that there was a clip on shim. The front pads were so filthy that I didn't even see it. The part I was calling a shim is the shim adhesed (is that a word?) onto the back of the pad. The clip on goes on in addition to that. I have finished the back and they are so smooth. I will redo the fronts on Thursday. I think this should solve my noise problem.

I'll post an update and take pictures if I can get my camera back.

 

[Bogie]

Update...

My brakes are quieter now, but not quiet by any stretch of the word. It seems that they are wearing in, but now they are only as loud as the were before. The interesting thing, however, is that now they squeal after they have warmed up. When they are cold, they are quiet. This is the opposite of what they were doing previously.

I haven't given up on this problem, because I can't figure what in the brake design would cause these to squeal when others vehicle's brakes do not (this is a solved problem!). Since this is the case, I wonder if it is related to the way the calipers are attached to the vehicle? I remember thinking when I first saw the way the calipers were attached to the chassis (two bolts), I thought, this is it? It is sort of cantilevered. The caliper forces work against each other true, but the rotor is rotating, so that moment is only countered by the two bolts. Intuitively, it seems like the stiffness here could be low. This could definitely contribute to chatter in the pad. I hope this is not the case. It would be more of a challenge to fix and would require customization.

Any thoughts?...

 

[ml_saab]

Was your CRC product for pads with shims, or without? Found this recently:

Thank you for you interest in CRC’s products. You had inquired whether it was better to use Disc Brake Quiet over Synthetic Brake Caliper Grease for quieting brake noise on your shimmed brake pad. We would recommend using Synthetic Brake Caliper Grease for your shimmed brake pads. Disc Brake Quiet is meant for usage on non-shimmed brake pads. The Disc Brake Quiet’s tackiness will cause the shimmed pad not to work properly. Additionally, the Synthetic Brake Caliper Grease will cut down on the corrosion on the brakes. Please let us know if you have any additional questions.

 

[Bogie]

This is very interesting. I tried the CRC with shims and without. I did not try the shims w/o CRC.

Not that I'm becoming a fan of opening up my brakes, but I must admit that is becoming easier. I didn't squeal at all this morning, but it's cooler (~45F). I'm going to see how it does over the next couple of weeks before deciding to go back in.

I would like to read more on this. Is this from the CRC website?

Thanks!

 

[ml_saab]

The info from CRC was the content of an email reply to a question posted on their website I believe.

I have the CRC Disk Brake Quiet here for my SAAB with non-shimmed pads, and it does indeed say it is only for pads without shims.

It still strikes me as odd that the shims themselves are for anti-squeal, and we still need to treat the pads

 

[roberhelfrick]

Confused.

Do some rear pad sets come with shims while some do not?

 

[Bogie]

I'm not sure. Neither my front or rears came with the clip-on shims, but they had a plate (shim?) on them that was similar to what was on the OEM. In other words, there was a clip-on shim AND a shim that was stuck to the pad. I reused the clip-ons and put them on top of the stuck ones.

Isn't English great?

 

[roberhelfrick]

Thanks for the reply. I believe that your ml has a fixed caliper, as opposed to the floating caliper on the ml320. The reason I ask is that the mintex pads I have as replacements do not have seprate shims, only the spring backing riveted to the backs on the pads. Any other ml320 owners have any input?

 

[BajaCat]

I have a '99 ML320 and replaced the pads (Mintex) and rotors (ATE) on all four wheels about 200 miles ago. My ML has floating rotors, and the pads do not have separate shims. I put the Mercedes Brake Pad Paste on the backs of the pads (liberally) and haven't heard any squeeling yet.

Thanks for the help from all of the people on this board. I wouldn't have attempted most of what I've done on my ML without it!

 

[Bogie]

I am hearing that it is the V8's that have the squealing problem, maybe because of the fixed caliper design. Mine have quieted down to tolerable, but I want to get them quiet if it is possible. I read in one place that I should not apply the paste to the back of the pad (with shims), but only to the sides. I'll give this a try when I'm in there next.