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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - What causes brake squeal?

So my 1500 is squealing at me - and it embarrassing pulling up to traffic lights.

I fitted new discs and pads and I coppereased the anti squeal shims... so why is she squealing?

Any ideas or tips appreciated.

Thanks
C
C L Carter

Christian,
hopefully others will be along with the technical details and checks of correct fitting but assuming you fitted the clips and shims the correct way round, and you probably know the explanation of the noise (air in between) . . .

in my experience some just do, my current ones did and sometimes still do, I had a set on a B many years ago that gave audible warning of my braking to the whole county, tried all sorts of things to stop it but nothing worked - IIRC the noise either gradually reduced to nothing or suddenly stopped

don't forget to 'bed'(?) your brakes in for a while/distance don't be harsh with them or hold them on for long periods causing heat build up
Nigel Atkins

Put some antisqueal adhesive in there. That should fix it. If not and there's not metal to metal contact it could be the brake compound i.e. high metal content. Pity we no longer have asbestos pads.
Greg H

I have had good luck with just filing the leading edge of the brake pads. Just round off the leading edge a little bit and they should be quiet. The sharp edge seems to grab a little too much.
DARNOC31

x2 what DARN said: chamfer the leading edge of the pads


Also, the pistons should have a stepped portion if you look at them closely, this step should face down (facing the direction of rotation). The purpose of that step is to help prevent squeal by angling the contact patch between the pad and the rotor a little bit.

Some cheap aftermarket pistons lack this step, or some times folks don't know which way they ought to face and don't use them correctly.

There are also shims that can be used between the pad and piston which do the same thing, they create that step so that the leading edge is tilted slightly. Once again, these shims often come without instructions and it can be confusing to know which way they should face.


Norm
Norm Kerr

You both beat me to it with the filing the leading edge advice.
Pete Ottewell

Thanks guys,
I put the the pistons and shims back in the way they came out - I will check they are in the correct place for direction of rotation.

I will also file off the leading edge.

Thanks for the advice!
C L Carter

This thread was discussed on 21/09/2012

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