I took the R3 in for a check up on some issues that I noticed. One of these was related to my brakes squeaking. After picking up the car today, I had a delightful little conversation with the repair dept. dude... In response to the squeaking brakes he said, "R3 brakes are suppose to squeak a little". He went on to explain the "metal brakes" and or metal composite brake pads that are put on the R3 sometimes squeak... That metal when in contact with metal will create a squeak.... Well these components are hardly two chunks of metal coming into contact with each other in order to stop my car. Everything check out and is safe to drive via Mazda standards...

DOES anyone else have this issue with their R3 brakes squeaking?

I'v had much more aggressive pads that ate a decent bit of the rotor in less than 25k. Axxis, Hawk, EBC Green/Red, and one other who's name escapes me. NONE of those pads ever gave me any issues what so ever.

 

metallic pads squeak. there are ways to quiet the squeak/squeal but to get rid of it you'll need to switch good ceramic pads. choose from the brands you posted you have used int he past. personally id go with Hawk

http://www.hawkperformance.com/performance/faq.php#Q4

 

yep, mine does that when applying light braking. no squeaking when braking hard.

 

i thought all RX-8s with OEM pads squeak?

 

Really?! I guess I am just surprised at this idea... They squeak just as Jason described.

How about this one... Does it feel like something is rubbing when you first turn your steering wheel? Not in a bad way but just something feels through the wheel like something rubs for the first 1/2 turn either direction.

I will try to curb my **** tendencies I from here one out and accept that my car isn't perfect...

 

I dont feel rubbing anything
I do feel the power steering motor and gear feel like your spinning a gear.
my brakes does this squeal only under normal braking, press harder its gone.

 

I have this little squeek too from time to time when they are cold, everything is normal to me. some people dont seem to understand that brakes might squeek when they are cold

 

my co workers hawks are squeaky but on my 8 my ebc reds are pretty quiet they used to squeak but stoped

 

Heh, I thought mine were wearing out prematurely, but they are fine. I get a slight squeak when breaking lightly, but they feel/look fine.

 

lol, my GLi would squeak and sound like a disaster in the Winter. A few good stops and it would be fine though.

 

yeah mine too ... I just noticed it this morning with my windows down; just a faint squeak when im not on the brakes hard

haha ... I was pretty sure it was the beat up cavalier in front of me or the civic with the fart canon beside me but alas it was me =(

 

I know what your talking about....I assume its something with the ABS or power steering or something...I only notice it after I start car, back out of driveway turning, then turn wheel straight while moving...i hear the noise, slightly feel it, then it never does it again until next start up. I assume its nothing to worry about....lol.

 

i have same problem too, and i went back to the dealer the said it is normal so the put somekind of stick paint on the brake pad not the inside but out side whch u can see, and it stop this noise for a while and now is happen again............

the rubbing noise also come with me 8 when new specialy rear left , when i do about 20degree turning~~~maybe neeed wheel aliment???

 

That's funny because mine seem to squeak only on a hot day. Its interesting that i can get them hot on a cold day and not have a squeal and on a hot day they will squeal pulling out of the driveway.

 

The rotors get bigger as they warm up and material properties change on both sides. Squeel pulling out is also rust cause the pads to vibrate takes a few miles to get it off. Japanese factory rotors love to rust up fast, Japanese steel little diff on rotors (not bad it's good stuff).

 

:::update:::

I spoke to my service dude again today about the brakes. They have been getting worse, as in louder, lately after driving in the city for an hour. When I first picked up the car there was liiiiight squeak but not it's loud...

Aparently now Mazda is trying to "redesign" the calipars in order to fix the problem. Not like that does anything for us BUT I will find out if they will flip the labor bill for installing some aftermarket pads.

Any suggestions? I've had Axxis Metal Masters, EBC Green, and Hawk HP on my last car. I believe Hawk and Axxis are the same company...

 

Mine have absolutely zero squeal.

 

i have an 05 GT w/ just over 10k miles, and my brakes have always squeaked since day one... my engine now also makes a funny lapping noise when idling, and it farts after i shut off the engine... <lol> and, of course, the dealer says that they can't find anything wrong... <lol>

yay mazda

 

Try re-bedding the brakes to minimize squeak

 

I can't say i've noticed squeeking in my R3, but my other car (an old van) is so noisy I may be just ignoring it.

 

its pretty normal. just imagine you driving a race car.

 

My R3 has a little squeal to the brakes when they are cool. After they heat up it goes away. The noise doesn't bother me though.

 

Or a cab...my 2007 squeaks with the stock pads. When I put on the Hawks for track days, I don't notice a squeak at all.

 

"Perfect" is relative considering all design is compromise.

Sportscar manufacturers figure that enthusiasts more prefer brake 'bite' than low noise/dust, and the oem RX-8 is no exception. I use Hawk performance ceramic pads and they are virtualy silent with very low dust, and although they brake very well, I must admit not the 'bite' of the oem. So ....

edit: also related, enclosed:

 

OEM only squeak when light braking tho, when its squeaking you brake harder it stops.