Squeaky brakes!

[2.7boxer6]

Hey guys, Now that its getting into top down weather I have been noticing more and more how squeaky my brakes are!
Just wondering if you guys no the cause/solution for the issue.

Additional info: regular base boxster disc brakes '00.

Thanks!

[landrovered]

Lots of causes for squeel/squeeking brakes, you need to inspect them to determine the exact cause.

[Daniel R]

Landrovered is right. Can be many causes. I will list a few of the "usual suspects" below.

1. Are the anti-vibration shims fitted behind the pads? Huge difference.
2. Do you only use the brakes lightly at low speeds? They can glaze if they are not occasionally used under moderate to heavy loads.
3. Are you using a hard compound pad, like a Pagid race pad or low dust type? I have Pagids and they squeal a lot. Amazing stopping power and zero fade, but noisy when cold.

I have seen a spray on the market that supposedly reduces brake squeal, however I would not recommend it. Firstly try a few high speed stops to see if it is a glaze issue. If not you will need to pull the pads out and go from there.

Good luck.

[Tranlm]

My brakes were squeaking too. Bought some brake cleaner and spayed down the discs and pads to solve the problem.

[2.7boxer6]

Thanks for the response Tran,

I assume you had to take off the wheel (and maybe disassemble the brake) to do this? Or can you just spray, push the car a bit and spay the unsprayed part?

[Paul]

Start by spraying them with a garden hose while cold. No need to remove anything. Then drive it to dry them out and see if the noise goes away.

[2K3_Boxster_S]

%60 of brake squealing problems come from not being shimed properly. After that, there are about 6 other things it could be. Boxster S's have 4 round ones (per side) that insert into the pistons on the back brakes. they should be glued to to the brake pads. These may have come disjoined. the fronts have (2 large rectangular shims per side). I just changed my brake pads today. I used brake disk quite, made by permatex when installing my new EBC Redstuff.

If it's not that it could be:

Rotor quality
driving style
pads improperly bed-in
glazed rotors
drag (from a seized piston)
Pads do not have Chamfer

Hopefully its your shims, its an easy fix. glue them back like they should be. My car had 60K on original pads. Fronts were just about to activate the replace pad sensors. I had to pry all of them off the shims.

good luck

[Paul]

Don't be surprised if your 00 base Boxster doesn't have shims.....

[2K3_Boxster_S]

Originally Posted by Paul

Don't be surprised if your 00 base Boxster doesn't have shims.....

good advice, If they don't, the pads you use should have a shim backing attached to them.

[Tranlm]

I didn't need to take off my wheels. Just sprayed it. Drove it around the block, and sprayed it again.

Alternatively, you could just upgrade to some slotted and drilled brake discs. I'm thinking about doing that when I get around to painting my calipers.

-tran

[2.7boxer6]

Hey guys thanks for your responses. I tried the easiest method first - Spraying them with a hose - drove around the block and the squeal was gone... Now its back, though. I guess this means its a dirty disc/pad issue then?

PS With regard to driving style, I usually don't hoon it too hard. Especially with braking; I usually just let momentum slow me down with some light braking. Should I be braking it like a Porsche too?!

[Paul]

Baby a Porsche? It will make you pay one way or another.....