Grinding & squealing Xantia brakes

xantia78 · Post by **xantia78** » 25 Oct 2008, 14:49

I've just changed the front discs and pads on my xantia estate and for the last month or so they've been squealing as i drive at speeds lower than 40. Everything is free under there and i've tried copaslip grease but they still squeal, especially when i brake!
Now theyve started grinding as i brake, but not all the time, i can only describe it as the noise you get when your pads are down to metal.
Has anyone got any ideas?

Thanks

citronut · Post by **citronut** » 25 Oct 2008, 14:59

where did you get them from and what make/quality are they, and were they the correct one's for the callipers

regards malcolm

xantia78 · Post by **xantia78** » 25 Oct 2008, 15:26

They were from gsf, brembo discs (283mm) and bendix pads. They were fine to start with, but the grinding has only just started.

Post by **myglaren** » 25 Oct 2008, 15:50

Could it be a bit of grit or swarf lodged in the central channel of one of the pads?

KevMayer · Post by **KevMayer** » 25 Oct 2008, 16:59

The brakes on my Activa are grinding and squeeling just the same.

The brakes on my first Activa also were persistently squeeling and grinding no matter how much I cleaned up the callipers and copper slipped the pads.

I think theres something in the design of the front callipers which brings on this problem after a while, and, I suspect that it's something to do with the way the piston returns after the brakes have been applied.

The pistons are unusual in that you have to rotate them to push them in when you change your pads. This could have something to do with the squeeling

Post by **myglaren** » 25 Oct 2008, 17:10

I also have a vague recollection of some anti-squeal shims that can be purchased from the dealers at some stupidly exorbitant cost. A retro-fit thing as they don't come as original equipment.

xantia78 · Post by **xantia78** » 25 Oct 2008, 17:11

do you reckon it would be an idea to wind the pistons right back in to reset them, in a round about kind of way?

Post by **myglaren** » 25 Oct 2008, 17:14

xantia78 wrote:do you reckon it would be an idea to wind the pistons right back in to reset them, in a round about kind of way?

Couldn't hurt, they may be sticking a bit.

citronut · Post by **citronut** » 25 Oct 2008, 20:41

are the discs blue or discoloured in any way, and with the pads out check the calipper slides freely from side to side,

also as i said earlyer cheap discs and pads can cause things like this

i notice there are companys on fleabay selling ridiculously cheap discs and pad sets,

touch and bardge pole spring to mind

regards malcolm

jeremy · Post by **jeremy** » 26 Oct 2008, 07:19

Take a pair of pads out and have a very good look at the edges. Some pads are slightly different shapes and it may be that your new pad is rubbing on a previously unused part of the disc which has now become rusty.

(Had this on the ZX - wondered why the new pads (Delphi) never seemed to bed it - found ring of polished rust at the centre)

XantiaMan · Post by **XantiaMan** » 26 Oct 2008, 07:41

Make sure the pads are correct, on my TD when the pads started to wear i would also get an irritating noise audible at low speed. It turned out the pads were too small, although the caliper fitting was correct, they were for the smaller discs. A new set of 283mm Brembos and Bendix pads which cover the entire sweep area of the disc and stopping power was great and they didnt make any noise.

citronut · Post by **citronut** » 26 Oct 2008, 08:37

jeremy wrote:Take a pair of pads out and have a very good look at the edges. Some pads are slightly different shapes and it may be that your new pad is rubbing on a previously unused part of the disc which has now become rusty.

(Had this on the ZX - wondered why the new pads (Delphi) never seemed to bed it - found ring of polished rust at the centre)

Jeremy

xantia78 said he has fitted discs and pad,

although i know what you are saying as i have seen exactly the same,
but i dont think it is that in this case

regards malcolm

jeremy · Post by **jeremy** » 26 Oct 2008, 11:55

Thanks Malcolm - I'll learn to read all of the posts properly oneday . . .perhaps.

citronut · Post by **citronut** » 26 Oct 2008, 15:47

acoonandatomater ( loosly translated from the lion king "no worries" )Jeremy

i also dont read al always every time

regards malcolm

handyman · Post by **handyman** » 27 Oct 2008, 14:36

Binding handbrake cables!