Problem with Hawk brake pads

[gordon0412]

Pretty sure a number of people run these pads so thought I'd ask here. Recently installed Hawk HPS pads with my stock, Brembo rotors. I'd been warned that they can squeal, but it's really bad. I mean head-turning, ear-splitting bad. Could this possibly indicate a problem with my install? The brakes, which were very good, are even better, but the noise is pretty much unbearable at least to me. If the install is OK any tips/tricks to reduce this other than cleaning the brake dust off the wheels/rotors every time I drive the car? Also, I'd had the pads sitting around in a box for several months. I wouldn't think so, but could that be a factor. :confused:

Edit: Just wanted to add I did follow the bed-in procedures which I downloaded from the tireracks web site.

[aurorasti]

I think there is some stuff that you can spray on your rotors to help prevent the ear-piercing noise. Talk to whomever you got your pads from, they should have the stuff.

[Proxenus]

Thats interesting because I've never heard them squeak at all on the civic. Are they making a lot of dust?

Is it the front or rear? both?

[S Abshire]

Thats interesting because I've never heard them squeak at all on the civic.

Same here, no squeaks from my Civic either.

[MrViggy]

These are the HPS street pads? If so, ditto to the non-squeak answers. I put them on my WRX (stock setup), and no squeaking. They do seem to dust more then the OEM pads, I've noticed.

Viggy

[PaulL]

I had the HP+ on my Cobra, and it sounded like an old school bus at times. I had to late brake at the stop lights to get enough braking force to reduce the squeal! The squeal only happened once they got old, though.

[gordon0412]

Appreciate the responses.

Vendor doesn't carry anything but a quick search found things like Versachem Disc Brake Quiet aerosol, and Squeal Medic. Without knowing anyone who's used them sucessfully I'm reluctant to spray anything on pads/rotors though. Also requires de/reassembly.

Jesse, yes they are making a lot of dust. I'm using my Mr Clean magic eraser on them after every drive. Wonder if it's the combo of the Mustang rotors and the Hawk pads. Several Mach owners have also had/have this problem.

Paul, oh great. I was hoping they'd get better with wear and some heavy braking. And yep, I'm late braking as well. Harder braking seems to lessen or eliminate it. Well, at least there are no sound restrictions at DIA :D

[arniecoleman]

"Disc Brake Quiet" made by CRC has worked well for me. It comes in aerosol and brush on formulas. The aerosol is easier to use, but I suspect the brush-on type may be more effective due to it's thicker consistancy. I get mine from Pep Boys, but I imagine it's available from NAPA, Checker, Advanced, etc.

BTW, the treatment is applied to the BACK side of the brake pad, where it contacts the caliper piston.
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[Clay Turner]

Mine squeal like a pig, pardon the expression... but they're not Hawks, and I used some anti-squeal goo on the back of the calipers. However, I didn't use it on the hooks on the metal ends of the pads, where they contact the calipers. Mea culpa.

I have found that if I modulate the brake pedal by curling and uncurling my toes while braking, I can defeat it. That, and rushing up to the intersection and scaring the bejeezus out of the car in front of me. Depends on my mood. :)

[gordon0412]

Thanks Arn! Good to know of someone else using it, and I like that it's back of the pads only, nothing on the rotors. I'll give it a try.

Looks like another project this weekend.

[Proxenus]

I've also run the HP+ pads on my civic, and they were a little squeaky. It looked like it was due to the pad producing more dust.

[blrmotorsports]

I'm wondering if you got HP+ pads by error. If you have the box check the part number. It should read HBxxxF.xxx for HPS. The "F" is the HPS compound. If it has an "N" that would be the HP+ compound.

The HPS compound is a improved "street" compound. It really shouldn't squeel or dust any more that "stock" pads.

[russjnco]

I have the Project Mu's and it's the same deal, they squeal like none other. If you can find it, permatex makes a copper anti-seize compound that works well under high temps but if you're just autox'ing or street driving get their super brake quiet stuff, it's green and comes in little packets (available at most auto parts stores). It works really well on the Evo although I'll still get a little bit of squeal under light braking. Apply either product to the back of the pad and any place else the pad makes contact with in the caliper other than the rotor! Also, did you re-use the factory anti-squeal shims? If it had any of course.

[gordon0412]

Brian, yep they are HP+. The part numbers are HB183N.585 rear and HB111N.610 front. There's also a D627 on the rear and D412 on the front. And each box also has 'HP Plus Compound' on it as well as 'Street/Club/Autocross Brake Pads'. Each box also states on top in red 'Racing Disc Brake Pads'. I gather the HP+ compound is known to squeal more?

Russ, I've already picked up the "Disc Brake Quiet" Arnie suggested. If that doesn't do it I'll give yours a try. No shims were included. Appreciate the info.

BTW the problem does seem to have lessened with a little more driving.

[CorSport]

Brian, yep they are HP+. The part numbers are HB183N.585 rear and HB111N.610 front. There's also a D627 on the rear and D412 on the front. And each box also has 'HP Plus Compound' on it as well as 'Street/Club/Autocross Brake Pads'. Each box also states on top in red 'Racing Disc Brake Pads'. I gather the HP+ compound is known to squeal more?

Russ, I've already picked up the "Disc Brake Quiet" Arnie suggested. If that doesn't do it I'll give yours a try. No shims were included. Appreciate the info.

BTW the problem does seem to have lessened with a little more driving.

HP+ will squeal like mad and the HPS will not, at least from my experience. I swap them back and forth for racing. Also, for what its worth, I noticed way more squeal on the brembo rotors then on my recent pair of duralast rotors (yes, that shit from autozone for about $21).

Tai

[380SS]

Pretty sure a number of people run these pads so thought I'd ask here. Recently installed Hawk HPS pads with my stock, Brembo rotors. I'd been warned that they can squeal, but it's really bad. I mean head-turning, ear-splitting bad. Could this possibly indicate a problem with my install? The brakes, which were very good, are even better, but the noise is pretty much unbearable at least to me. If the install is OK any tips/tricks to reduce this other than cleaning the brake dust off the wheels/rotors every time I drive the car? Also, I'd had the pads sitting around in a box for several months. I wouldn't think so, but could that be a factor. :confused:

Edit: Just wanted to add I did follow the bed-in procedures which I downloaded from the tireracks web site.


Not sure if this idea will help, but some folks have discussed "filing down" the corners of the pads, just enough to take the edge off. I've never tried it so I cannot comment on the success of the modification.

[BoulderG]

When setup for Club Time Trials, my turbo Miata runs Hawk Blacks F&R and (dedicated to track only) stock rotors.

When driving on the street, the brakes grind enough that pedestrians stare. They don't squeal much, more like make grinding and scraping noises.

These are track-only pads and rotors, and the wear is significant.

I've heard that it's much worse to use track (High-temp) pads on the street when you don't heat them enough - that will really use up your rotors very quickly.

The stoptech website has some very interesting technical info on how pads and rotors interact. While it is well-written, I'm not sure it is accurate.

[MrViggy]

Not sure if this idea will help, but some folks have discussed "filing down" the corners of the pads, just enough to take the edge off. I've never tried it so I cannot comment on the success of the modification.
Interesting...

The corners of my OEM pads were "filed down" (angled; beveled' whatever you want to call it). Now I'm curious as to who actually makes the OEM pads for Subaru (WRX that is). I do notice slightly "heavier" grinding with the Hawk pads. I just figured it was the pad material (being different pads and all).

Viggy

[gordon0412]

They don't squeal much, more like make grinding and scraping noises.

These are track-only pads and rotors, and the wear is significant.

I've heard that it's much worse to use track (High-temp) pads on the street when you don't heat them enough - that will really use up your rotors very quickly.

I hear a little grinding as well at times. Knew the pads would wear faster, but didn't consider the rotors. Don't put many miles on the car though. I'll probably go to a slotted/cross drilled rotor at some point anyway.

I probably should have gone with the HPS, and will likely switch. The whole car modding hobby/addiction/disease is new to me, so if this is the biggest mistake I make I'll consider myself lucky. The pads weren't cheap, but in the big picture they weren't that expensive either compared to say new 710's! :)

[00 SS]

Be careful with the slotted and crossdrilled rotors as well. Read the white papers on Stoptechs web site and read the manufacturers warnings on the rotors before you buy. For instance, Brembo states their crossdrilled rotors are not for racing applications. The reason is, the holes create street risers and cracks will form at the holes under heavy use. They are fine for street use and they look cool, but they are not for racing. Yes, some real race cars use them, but they only use them for one race and throw them away.

HPS are good street/autocross pads. The HP+ pads are great for autox as well. Keep them and swap them in for events. It would be best to have a second set of rotors for them as well, but that's not absolutely necessary.