Brake Squeel at low speed braking

[Milenko2121]

I've replaced my pads and also my rotors; however I still get a squeel whenver I brake at low speeds.

Do I need to rebuild my calipers, or would there be another reason for this?
If I have to rebuild them, where can I buy the parts needed and what parts would they be?

Thanks

[Walter Moore]

What you need are the shims that go behind the brake pads. They are included in the kit shown below, but you may be able to get them separately somewhere else:
http://www.thezstore.com/page/TZS/PROD/SBC04/24-5301

I suspect that you can get the kit from your local Nissan dealer as well.

[Milenko2121]

is that kit what I need to get rid of the squeel or could it be another problem?

[black gold man]

Grease your shims.

[Zed Head]

Some say that certain brake pads squeal more than others, without the shims. But the shims are pretty much guaranteed to remove the noise. I had the same problem, the low speed, embarrassing "just as you stop at the light surrounded by all of the other cars" squeal. I tried all of the fix-it goos, high temperature grease on the back of the pads, shaping the front edges of the pads, etc. Nothing worked except the shims.

I got my shims from a parts car that I had picked up in the meantime. You might find a set in the wrecking yards, if you're in a hurry or want to save a few dollars. They sit right behind the pads. $20 to MSA to remove the aggravation is worth it though.

[Milenko2121]

awesome, ill be purchasing those soon then thank you so much

[TomoHawk]

Don't you need two of those hardware kits? I got a s"set" of shims through the dealer, which gets you two shims, and the brake guy thought you put one on each caliper, probably because he couldn't figure out how they go on?

[Walter Moore]

Don't you need two of those hardware kits? I got a s"set" of shims through the dealer, which gets you two shims, and the brake guy thought you put one on each caliper, probably because he couldn't figure out how they go on?

No, you only need one of the MSA kits. I made the same assumption and ended up with a spare kit. If I thought that I could find it I would offer to sent it to someone, but I misplaced the second kit long ago.

[Zed Head]

This web site is getting addictive - http://www.carpartsmanual.com/datsun...3/Default.aspx - it's worth a few million words at least.

Someone on this forum pointed it out, I can't remember who, but thanks for that.

[Walter Moore]

Per my records the hardware kit is actually a Nissan part:

41080-N4425

It includes enough shims, pins, clips, etc for both front calipers. You should be able to order it from your local Nissan dealer. Whether that is faster than getting it from MSA depends upon where you are in the country. But with the local dealer there shouldn't be any shipping charges.

[Reverend]

Mine only whine when cold (shims on). Rockauto offers all the brake parts for very reasonable price!

[TomoHawk]

With winter coming on here, there doesn't seem to be much rush to make repairs or do maintenance.

[TomoHawk]

I did a little research on this subject last spring, and according to most of the notable sources, brake squeal is normal on the older cars. You need to decide what your definition of an 'older' car is so you can justify things when a person with a newer vehicle tells you that you have brake problems.

Were the anti-squeal shims part of the original design of the calipers, or were they a part created after there were complaints? If the former, then you can decide if you want the "period-correct" sound of the brakes.

Either that, or show off your stop-on-a-dime braking capability to avoid the slow-speed squeal.

[sblake01]

TomoHawk, do your brakes squeal? Mine never did. I do believe that the shims were part of the original design. IIRC the were on my 70.

[TomoHawk]

Mine will squeal when they are warm, such as after getting off the freeway or after some city driving. They like to squeal just before you stop at a light.

[Milenko2121]

Just got the kit from MSA, and it installed nicely.

Found out I never had anti-squeak shims. I guess that explains everything :P
It was confusing putting the shims on. Had to look at my haynes manual multiple times to make sure the arrow was right >_<

[71Nissan240Z]

I use silicon gasket sealer. Works great

[Zed Head]

I use silicon gasket sealer. Works great

What brand and model of brake shoe do you use? It's a factor.