Hawk Pads. SQUEAKING?

00BlackBeautyGT · Mar 29, 2004

I installed some Hawk HPS front pads yesterday and the install went completely smooth. Never done brakes before. It was my first time. I was amazed on how easy it was. I applied some brake quiet on the backing of the pads to dampen noises, cleaned the calipers & rotors with some brake parts cleaner and I don't seem to understand what's wrong. Well, I don't know if I did something wrong but after the install these brakes sound worst than my OEM with barely any pad left. Don't get me wrong, the new pads did make a difference on braking.

I did everything the instructions said. After install, bedd them in by going 30-35 MPH and do a stop to 5 MPH. Then do 40-45 MPH and come to a hard stop. Let brakes cool a couple mins. and repeat procedures again a couple more times. It still squeak like crazy. If I had known, I would've been better off with my stock pads.

Did I do something wrong or does it take a while for new pads to break in? Please let me know because it's DRIVING ME NUTZ!!!

silver4.6 · Mar 30, 2004

Most performance pads will have some noise, if it's a constant squeal then
you might want to redo the job and try again. If you want quiet and clean,
then stay with OEM.

2K1TRUBLU · Mar 30, 2004

My last set were hawk pads and they SUCKED. I still experienced Brake fade, maybe they lasted slightly longer than stock pads in terms of heat tolerance. Overall the stock pads are nicer, in that the minimal performance gain of the hawks was offset by the embarrasing squeal. And I've noticed disk brake quiet to be ineffective.

I should also mention that I used the street rated hawk pads not the higher end ones. I was thinking that would not squeak. If you got the higher performance ones maybe the fade resistance will be better and the noise will be the same.

speed545 · Mar 30, 2004

00BlackBeautyGT said:
I installed some Hawk HPS front pads yesterday and the install went completely smooth. Never done brakes before. It was my first time. I was amazed on how easy it was. I applied some brake quiet on the backing of the pads to dampen noises, cleaned the calipers & rotors with some brake parts cleaner and I don't seem to understand what's wrong. Well, I don't know if I did something wrong but after the install these brakes sound worst than my OEM with barely any pad left. Don't get me wrong, the new pads did make a difference on braking.

I did everything the instructions said. After install, bedd them in by going 30-35 MPH and do a stop to 5 MPH. Then do 40-45 MPH and come to a hard stop. Let brakes cool a couple mins. and repeat procedures again a couple more times. It still squeak like crazy. If I had known, I would've been better off with my stock pads.

Did I do something wrong or does it take a while for new pads to break in? Please let me know because it's DRIVING ME NUTZ!!!

Well i just did mine, did follow instructions carefully and no squeaking at all. Did you sand the rotors with 120 papergrid?? or maybe there s too much glaze on your rotors.

MikeStang00GT · Mar 30, 2004

Give it some time and it will go away. I had the same problem. You could put a little more of the disc quiet on your rotors so the eventually get to the pad and you will be fine. It just takes some breaking in for the rotor to get used to the new pad and develop a wear pattern.

speed545 · Mar 30, 2004

MikeStang00GT said:
Give it some time and it will go away. I had the same problem. You could put a little more of the disc quiet on your rotors so the eventually get to the pad and you will be fine. It just takes some breaking in for the rotor to get used to the new pad and develop a wear pattern.

Disc quiet i know dont go on rotors but on the back of the pads where pistons push. Am i wrong?

MikeStang00GT · Mar 30, 2004

You are right but I just put a little on my rotors as well. I didn't feel like taking the pads off again just put more disc quiet on them.

00BlackBeautyGT · Mar 31, 2004

It's been a couple days now. 3 days to be exact. I get this loud irritating squeal. I try pumping the brakes and braking hard every now and then to get the pads and rotor used to each other. But dammit, that thing still squeaks. It's EMBARASSING. The pads that I got are the street series and on the label it states that it's virutally noise-less. Like I said, I felt and improvement on braking but OMG, the noise is just nerve shattering.

00BlackBeautyGT · Mar 31, 2004

That is one thing that I did not do. Is it really necessary to sand the rotors? I just get on the brakes real hard and just skid all over the place to rub the old pad off the rotors. Seems like it's not doing anything though. I really don't feel like tearing everything up just to sand rotors. Any suggestions?

How about bleeding the lines. I didn't do that either. Will that do anything?

Kcsburk · Apr 1, 2004

00BlackBeautyGT said:
That is one thing that I did not do. Is it really necessary to sand the rotors? I just get on the brakes real hard and just skid all over the place to rub the old pad off the rotors. Seems like it's not doing anything though. I really don't feel like tearing everything up just to sand rotors. Any suggestions?

How about bleeding the lines. I didn't do that either. Will that do anything?

I have heard several guys complain about the hawk pads squealing. Bottom line is the pads contain metal in them and when metal rubs against metal they can produce a squeal. Your best bet at this point is to pull the wheel off and rough up the rotors with a gritty sand paper like a 100-200 grit. This should help out but its likely the squeal will come back in time. I chose the EBC Greenstuff pads. They are an awesome pads which provided me with tons more breaking power but I do get a squeal from time to time. FYI, the EBC pads are kevlar based not metallic based. I don't know what the kevlar buys you but they swear up and down there pads will not squeal.

Stangman1976 · Apr 1, 2004

I installed the hawk street pads on my last stang (00 Gt) and had no problems with squealing. I did replace my rotors at the same time with vented Brembos though. They did perform better than my oem ones. Bedding them in correctly is crucial. hope that helps

hotstang · Apr 1, 2004

are the hawks better than the Greenstuff pads??????????

Stangman1976 · Apr 1, 2004

hotstang said:
are the hawks better than the Greenstuff pads??????????

I dunno, I only have experience with hawk. Like everything else aftermarket, opinions will vary

00BlackBeautyGT · Apr 1, 2004

I just need to know if it takes time to brake in pads.

Stangman1976 · Apr 2, 2004

00BlackBeautyGT said:
I just need to know if it takes time to brake in pads.

Mine worked fine after driving in rush hour traffic (stop n' go) they had more bite after that.

00gtconv · Apr 2, 2004

noise

The reason brake pads make noise is vibration. Here is the cure for brake pad noise.

1. Have the disks turned or sand them

2. Remove the glossy paint from the sides of the pads(sand or grind)

3.***Grease(thick and heavy) the two adjustment pins on each calliper and slide them back into their boots.

4. Bevel the hard edege off the the pads where they contact the rotor. All the way around about 1/8 inch at a 45 degree angle.

5. Spray the back of the pads again with anti-squeel.

Hope this helps

Hawk Pads. SQUEAKING?

00BlackBeautyGT

Member

silver4.6

2K1TRUBLU

speed545

Member

MikeStang00GT

Street Master

speed545

Member

MikeStang00GT

Street Master

00BlackBeautyGT

Member

00BlackBeautyGT

Member

Kcsburk

New Member

Stangman1976

New Member

hotstang

Stangman1976

New Member

00BlackBeautyGT

Member

Stangman1976

New Member

00gtconv

Similar threads

Hawk Pads. SQUEAKING?

Member

Member

Street Master

Member

Street Master

Member

Member

New Member

New Member

New Member

Member

New Member

Similar threads

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency