December 28, 2001
By: Robert Leidy

For some reason I associate brake squeak with old junker cars. It was embarrassing for me when my Z3 started making those annoying high pitched squeaks every time I came to a stop sign. After some research the solution was cheap and easy.

The first thing I learned was that I misunderstood what brake squeaks were. I thought it was the friction between the brake pad and the disc that caused the squeak. Turns out that most brake squeaks are from the brake pad moving around and rubbing against the caliper.

I had heard of anti-brake squeak stuff before but I always dismissed it because I thought anything between the brake pad and the rotor was a temporary solution at best since it would wear away quickly. Once I learned this stuff was for the back of the brakes everything made since. The guy at the NAPA store laughed and said "can't tell you how many times I've seen this stuff used on the wrong side". NAPA's CRC Brake Disc Quiet was roughly $3 a bottle, and it was more than enough for two cars.

It comes out as a thick rubbery goo, and dries in about 10 minutes. Once dry, simply reinstall the brake pad then wipe down the excess red goop that squeezes out. It's a little messy, but you're probably wearing rubber gloves when working with brake pads anyway.