Brake Squealing - Thin Metal Plates

[prossett]

94 VXR, non-ABS, just replaced front brake pads but squealing continues.

During the pad change I noticed that each pad has separate thin metal backing, placed between the calipers and the back of the pad. It's the same shape as the pad, and has the same holes that line up for the long pin to go through.

Additionally, each side had another thin metal plate, but only one for each side, and this one has vertical cut-outs (looked like the bars on a cage). From the markings it appears this cut-out plate goes between the other metal plate and the pad - my questions:

The cut-out metal plate goes on the back of R or L pad on each side?

One of the bars was missing on one metal plate, could this be the cause of the squeal?

What does this cut-out plate do? Is it to reduce certain frequencies of noise?

 

[tucker74]

Plates are factory anti-squeal plates - originally glued to the pads IIRC. If they're causing your noise simply remove them, mine were gone after my first brake job. Their are many after-market anti-squeal sprays and whatnot you could try as well -



Tucker

On a side note - are you sure it's not your rear disk squealers making noise?

 

[Brentbba]

There should be a solid and a slotted anti squeal shim for BOTH sides! The solid one goes against the calipers and the slotted one against the brake pad IIRC. FSM says to apply a little grease to the shims before installation.

 

[prossett]

OK, perfect - thanks. So a total of 4 slotted shims, and they get greased and put between pad and the solid one - it means I'm missing two.

Rear brakes are drums.

 

[Brentbba]

Two slotted shims and two solid shims. One of each for each side. Solid one against the calipers. No grease on the side of the shim that contacts the calipers.