Porterfield pads,slight squeal
 

I just replaced my OEM pads,(pagid) after 15000 miles,they were not really worn except for the front right inside pad.I put Porterfield R4S pads all around,and then did the prescribed break-in. Used the break silencer,washed the discs,put the grease stuff on metal to metal parts,30 slow downs from 30 MPH,let them cool,have about 250 miles on them and I am hearing a slight squeal from the front left.It seems to stop after the pads are warmed up,and it only chirps when I use light pressure,never when I hit them with any force.
Anyone have any ideas on whether this is just break in stuff going on here?They recommend no panic stops for 300 miles.Havent had any of that either.
I have noticed a marked difference in the dusting,which is next to nothing,and what there is,is very light in color,not the dark stuff I was getting with the OEM Pagids in the front,and by the way,it came with Textar on the rear.
Any advice or remarks are welcome:X :wwf: :tyson: :wall: :) :)

Re: Porterfield pads,slight squeal
 

The general consensus is... "Porterfields squeal."

There are things you can do to help correct... shims... etc. Ask Mark Cummins, he is the anti-squeal expert!

-s-

Re: Re: Porterfield pads,slight squeal
 

yep! Gotta live with it.

Same with mine. Only squeal at slow speed with light braking. I have learned to live with it since I prefer the cleaner wheels. On my BMW, I used some red anti squeal paste that they sell at Pep Boys, and my pads are quiet despite a reputation for squealing lightly also (Hawk HPS).

Well I see that Im not alone,thanks guys for the replies.I guess I will live with it,cause that dust was getting to me,and I believe the Porterfields are a definite step up.Thanks Again.

Re: Re: Re: Porterfield pads,slight squeal
 

If You Install a Metal Shim on The Metal Side (Back Side) of the Brake Pad you can Eliminate The Dreaded Squeak!
I Have Done Several (SHIM) Installs..No Squeaks
You Can Make Your Own ...Custom Shim from a Pepsi can...Mercedes OE Brake Pads have a Metal Shim on the Backing to Help Eliminate Brake Squeak...It Works!
Outline the pad on the can cut it out and Roll the edges on the pad drill out the holes for the Pad Pins and Install .You can Also Use some Antisqueak ..on the Metal Shim
Then File the edges of the Pads AT A 45

Re: Re: Re: Re: Porterfield pads,slight squeal
 

wow really? SO no squealing whastoever? Shoot mang, I should do that and have no brake dust!

Do you just eliminate (bypass) the wear sensors if you switch to Porterfields, or are they compatible with the sensors?

The porterfields have the cutout for the sensor.

Thanks for the tip Mark,thats two I owe ya.I believe you also helped with the shift knob and door handle questions I had.By the way,the handles have arrived,look really nice and should be a beautiful enhancement to the wheel I also installed.I think Im done with the interior,Finally. And the sensors do fit the Porterfields,but I noticed the fit is not as snug as the OEM pads with the sensors,I doubt they will dislodge though.

stemags - I have the same wheels you have - 17" Rivas Where did you get the MBZ center caps? Are you Rivas 17X8 or do have the 17X9.5 in the rear?

Rob Lee

Re: Porterfield pads,slight squeal
 

Per Mark's quote...

I found some aluminum shim material at PepBoys, they were in the hardware isle where the "Help!" brand (red labels) reside. There are 4 shims in a package. The neat thing about these is that they have a hi-temp adhesive on one side. You can cut and fit just as Mark specifies, then you basically mount them to the back of each pad.

Rob Lee

Center caps,,not really center caps
 

Rob,these are Slk hood badges that I used a heavy duty plastic glue to place over the AT Caps.I centered them carefully,stuff got hard fast so you gotta be quick,and boom.They add the final touch.As for the shim idea that Mark suggested,he's a real big help,and now I might find that shim material you mentioned.I have 17"s X 8.5 all around.(The OEM Contis are in my shed with the OEM 5 spokes) The tires are 9" wide though.What yr is your E?:bow: :D :hammer:

stemags - I have a '99 E320. The SLK hood badge is a great idea! I found a some emblems on Ebay, they are made in Brazil. They are okay, but the star is a little fake looking. I will try to post a picture for you. I will probably upgrade to your idea.

In your signature file, you don't mention any suspension modes. Is your car lowered at all? Mine looks like it rides a tad bit too tall. Yours does not.

Thanks,

Rob Lee

Stock Suspension
 

Nope,but I think the low profile Turanza's keep it down a bit too.235/45/R17 LS-Z's,,a great tire lemme tell ya,and 40K warranty to boot.The SLK badges(Wreath and Laurel as you know)is an idea I got from one of these forums(MB World,Shop Forum or Benz World) ,because NOBODY but Nobody makes 2 1/4" center caps wiith MB Logo. They go for about 8 - 10 $ a piece,clip the 2 prongs with dikesand put a quarter sized glop of glue on,done.Local hardware store sold me a two part heavy duty glue that you mix,and have to apply within like 20 secs,and its great for hi heat applications.:hammer: :X :wall: :bow: :p :p

Right Inside Pad Worn - 15k miles
 

stemags - At about 40k miles, my right inside pad was worn down to the point where the sensor was touching the rotor. The left side still had a much more pad. Also, I noticed that same pad was worn down at an angle. When I was taking everything apart, the caliper sliding pins seemed to be loose, I mean, they took very little effort to loosen them with a 7mm "L" shaped allen wrench. I attributed the pad wear to a sticky caliper, partiall due to the loose slide pins. Did you notice anything similiar? Also, was your repair covered under warranty?

One of the reasons why I hesitated buying hte AT Rivas was the center cap size. I am pretty happy with my solution, but your's is better. Thanks for the tip in getting the hood badges. I looked a few times, but the price per badge was much higher. I will double check again!

Best regards,

rob lee

Pad wear
 

DAmn,thats the same thing I noticed on my right inside OEM Pagid pad,15,000 miles.What gives?Im going to have to watch these porterfields a little more closely,cause they are too expensive to mess around with. I changed them myself with the help of a local motorhead,1 week ago,I think they are bedded in fine,but slight squeal at light braking,like I mentioned.

Tha AT's came from the tirerack,like yours,with the Bridgestone Turanzas mounted and balanced,lugs,and I bought locks.(NY is afterall,NY)Tires were 206 ea.,and wheels were 235 ea.:hammer: :X :wwf:
Great tires man.highly recommended.

The caps,from importec.com[URL=http://www.importecparts.com/]
about $9 buck s each.Good luck,thanks for the headsup on the pad wear.