Squeaky Brakes
 

Hi guys,

I'm only a young one on the scene and recently purchased my rx8 though not long ago when I lightly brake my brakes let out a high pitched squeak. Any ideas? :s

1. Rx8's usually have a squeak to some extent in the brakes, not all of the time though.
2. If it's a used car, you more than likely need a new set of brake pads, go get them checked out at Firestone or your Mazda Stealership.

Very normal, the brake squeal is some annoying shit

Oil them.



















Just Kidding.

You should buy some drilled and slotted brake lines, they help wonders! I'm actually using drilled and slotted brake lines on my 8!

Thanks guys I'll def examine the different choices. Nice to know theres a helpful community out there :)

if you think thats bad, try the hawks pads, my brakes squeal loud as fuck until they are hot.

As others have cited the OEM brake pads do squeal to some more/lesser extent. I went with Hawk Ceramic pads (and Racing Brake slotted rotors btw - the stock rotors are good tho') and they're almost silent with the added bene of very low dust.

If you do replace the pads be sure to 'bed them in' (aka 'burnish') properly as this makes a difference as well.

i bedded my hawks in and now my pretty red rotors are messy lol.

Im having this same problem. Never had it before and ive had the car for about half a year now. When i press lightly it squeals. I noticed this happens alot in colder weather and when its rainy and my cars been sitting in the car during the day. Anything you can do to fix this besides getting slotted rotors ?? I doubt its my brake pads ,.. i just replaced them lol

yes. you can have them turned. but you will have to find someone willing to turn the rotors with an extremely fine bit. if you can have the rotor cut to a superfine finish it won't squeal.

Alright thanks !!! I think ill just leave it. As long as i know its normal im fine. I just wanted to make sure it was normal.

out of curiosity did you break them in properly?

you can also try a driving de glaze. basically at 60mph slam on the brakes 6 times medium pressure. Then at 90-100 mph using hard pressure without locking the wheels do it again 6 times. then let the car sit until the calipers and rotors are cool to the touch before you drive it back home.

Not sure what you mean by breaking them in properly ??

Please explain

this is from hawks

There are a number of reasons why a person can experience brake noise. Sometimes brake squeal can be an indicator that there is a problem. Maintenance is required if you experience brake squeal for any of the following reasons:

Lack of friction material (brakes need to be replaced)
Loose fitting brake in the caliper
Loose fitting or missing brake hardware (i.e. shims, anti-rattle clips)
Loose lug nuts or caliper hardware
Debris caught between the rotor and the surface of the brake pad
Heat cracked or worn rotors
Uneven finish on resurfaced rotors
Sometimes a user may experience brake noise when no maintenance is required. We call these NVH (Noise, Vibration and Harshness) issues. Brake squeal is typically caused by vibration between the brake pads, rotors, and brake calipers. Some brands of semi-metallic brakes are more likely to experience brake squeal due to the metallic ingredients in the brake pads. Hawk Performance has a great reputation for being a low noise, high performance pad.

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this is also from hawks

Correct brake pad break-in (bedding) is important to assure quality braking performance over the life of the pad. This procedure allows the rubbing surface of the brake pad to be brought to temperatures, creating a transfer-film layer of friction material to be applied to the rotor surface. This allows the brake pad material to rub against itself rather than the bare rotor. This increases the stopping performance of the brake pad and can reduce pad and rotor wear.

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They also say to wash and dry the rotor.

Now heres what the hawk pads I have say to do:

Step 1: Seal all brake ducts if applicable which is on the RX8

Step 2: At medium speeds slowly engage brakes 6 to 8 times without coming to a complete stop. DO NOT DRAG THE BRAKES>

Step 3: Increase speed to simulate race conditions. At near race speed engage the brakes 6 to 8 times without coming to a complete stop. DO NOT DRAG THE BRAKES.

Step 4: All system to cool by immediately parking the car for longer than 15 minutes or longer. Brakes should reach ambient temp or cool to the touch.. do not engage brakes during cool down period. remove duct seals. brakes are now ready to use.

Again, some squeal from the OEM pads is normal. If it bothers you (as it did me) there are alternatives such as Hawk Ceramic pads.

Burnishing Instructions
1. After installing new brake pads, make 6 to 10 stops from approximately 30-35 mph applying moderate pressure.
2. Make an additional 2 to 3 hard stops from approximately 40 to 45 mph.
3. DO NOT DRAG BRAKES!
4. Allow 15 minutes for brake system to cool down.
5. After step 4 your new pads are ready for use.

Brake Pad Installation Procedure
1. Install brake pads properly. Be sure pads are securely positioned in the caliper.
2. Flush system with fresh brake fluid.
3. Check all hydraulic parts for excess wear and tear.
4. Check disc for proper thickness, parallelism, and lateral runout.
5. Check disc for scoring or grooves over .012”depth. If either applies, resurfacing is required.
6. If discs do not need resurfacing, then contamination from the previous brake pads must be removed. Sand discs with 130 grit sandpaper using moderate pressure. Use soap and water to clean discs’ surface after sanding and machining. Discs should be free and clear of oil, grease, and brake fluid.
7. Inspect calipers for freedom of movement. Lubricate where necessary.

But also note the enclosed TSB (and also another TSB's lug torque recommendation of 108 ft lbs).

I have the racingbreak 800 and they squeal like an s.o.b., but the bite like one too so I don't care.

OP, if the squeal only under setian breaking conditions the prob. have some life left. However, if the SQUEAK almost constenly when the tires are rotating, then you are likely are hearing the wear indicator.

All I wanted to make sure was whether if it was normal for oem pads to squeal.

I believe the guy who replaced my pads did this procedure after he replaced them cause he took my 8 out for a quick drive and kept stopping.

It doesn't bother me that much. Its only when I press the brakes lightly after the cars been sitting outside the whole day n I go out for a drive that it does it.

Thanks for the info

treat them like a woman. Take the 8 out to diner and wine.
Afterwards go to a lonely dark road and BED her!

One last thing, while this procedure fix the squealing for sure. I mean some of you just said its normal for the oems to squeal , i dont wanna go out and do this and still have them squeal. then theres no point of doing it. Also when you say 6 to 10 stops ... am i pumping the brakes or fully stoping 6 to 8 times.

You would be braking hard without pumping or coming to a complete stop. think not quite Panic stop. It may help the squealing, when I had OEMs I don't really remember them squeaking, tho. not

read my post again.. and do it exactly like that. your only heating the pads up and breaking off the sealant they ship with.

Sorry one last thing guys. Would you suggest doing this NOW... i mean the pads were replaced like a few months ago. I dont wanna do it if i dont have to cause ill be wearing down my pads which im trying to keep to a minimum.

its not like its going to take a 1/4 of your pads off. youll see a noticable amount of brake dust but it shouldn't kill them.

^^ You're actually applying a thin layer of the brakepad material to the rotors when bedding in, so yes, you can do it now.