Brake Squeal Discussion

[01001010]

As many of you may know, not too long ago, I replaced my brake components with DAP's HD Kit which included Cross-Drilled Rotors, and EBC Kevlar Pads. Ever since I did the change, I've had a squeal comming from the Rear Right tire (farthest away from the MC). I also purchased RTE's Extended Stainless Steel brake lines and Valvoline synth DOT4 Brake Fluid but I STILL have not done the switch or the brake bleed.

In other words, I have high performance rotors/pads with stock level hoses and fluids.

I've temporarily remedied the squeal by putting CRC's Disc Brake Quiet and later, combining that with a thin layer of cork behind the pad. The CRC adhesive lasted longer on its own, and the cork was eventually cut by the edge of the cylinder.

I have been told that the new pads and rotors, because of their construction and the materials they are made out of, produce more heat than stock components. Knowing this, and having my truck still produce the squeal, I'm lead to beleive that the fluid is the culprit of the squeal.

I've been doing some reading and it's all falling into place. The different DOT fluids have different Dry/Wet boiling points. Being that hydrolic fluids absorb water from the surrounding air, there is no doubt in my mind that there is SOME tiny percentage of water in my brake system. I feel that because of this, and the location of the squealing brake, the fluid just isnt enough to handle the vibration/heat of the new components and has eventually created steam and air pockets in the system, decreasing that brake's performance.

My dad's arguement ( he thinks I dont know what I'm talking about and that I've spent too much money on my brake system for it to still have the squeal) is that the brake fluid is a hydrolic fluid (correct) and its made to last a lifetime (incorrect) and that the squeal is being emitted by something else within the brake system back there.

Now, for some history, my 96 D1 has 140k on the clock and has had the same brake fluid for quite some time now. I'm aware that there's also a chance that my caliper may be internally worn/damaged as well. But before I spend more $$$ and make my dad hate my truck even more, I want tackle the Fluid issue first.

Someone please enlighten me (and please help me take this DAMN squeal away).

[me.guevara]

Good luck with the bleed, JC, I just got the same rotor/pad package from DAP, too - I didn't get the HD lines, though, as I can have those custom manufactured. As soon as I have a spare moment, I'll be doing that swap on the Beast.

Sorry I can only offer encouragement (no tech advice).

Peace,

[Disco Mike]

Switch out you brake fluid ASAP, and do a change every 20K from know on because the DBA's and kevlar pads, which i also have, are great and generate much more braking heat then normaql pads and rotors. My experience is that with my truck, running Vavoline's synthetic brake fluid I experience no brake fade and have a firmer brake pedal then before.
Your old fluid is not making the squeal, but giving you a soft pedal and a very low boiling point because of it's age.
Mike

[pickuprover]

Fluid would not give you the squeal.....but yeah hurry up and change it.... squeal a lot of the times is actually from the pads glazing.... ie quit hammering the brakes so hard in the break in period, you probably heated that brake up onyour test drive, glazed the pads and now it is squealing....

[01001010]

Perfect. I will get that done this weekend.

As far the the fluid causing the squealing, I've always thought...

1) Apply the brakes
2) new components emit heat
3) old fluid heats up
4) fluid produces spungy effect at the cylinders
5) pads vibrate due to the spungyness and emit squeal

In other words, I'm not suggesting that the fluid DIRECTLY emits the squeal..lol..that would be silly...I'm suggesting that because it lacks the strenght to do its job properly, it causes the other components to not function properly.