Front Brake Squeal

CALVINW

MEMBER
LINCOLN TOWN CAR

2000 Lincoln Town Car, 54,300 miles, V-8. Replaced the front brake pads with ceramic pads. The brakes squeal at slow speeds, not all the time, but most of the time. Rotors were turned when pads were replaced. After a few thousand miles, took off the pads, sanded the surface, placed the pads back on and still a squeal at slow speeds. At 4000 miles, removed and replaced the pads with another brand; low and behold, still squeal at slow speeds. How do I correct this problem, replace the pads with semi metillac pads in lieu of ceramic? Never had this problem with the original pads.

1 Reply

SERVICE WRITER

MECHANIC
9,123 POSTS

There are different reasons for a brake squeal. Sometimes due to an engineering feat like on the neons for example. In your case, it would be more likley due to a lubrication issue or pad quality. Glazing can also make a squeal, but I think you have addressed that already.

These areas should be cleaned very good, using a wire brush, wire wheel or similiar. Both the bracket and the caliperneeds to be clean and lubricated wearever the pads touch the caliper.The hardware, and pins should be clean and lubrictaed as well.

When they have been cleaned, apply a quality caliper grease .

I prefer bendix disc brake pads myself. You should also burnish the pads after installing. Make 20-30 stops on flat pavement from 20 mph to 0. Allow a cooling period several times while doing this. Otherwise a pad will glaze quickly.