I have not had any brake squeal at all. In fact, I think this kit is more quiet than the OEM brakes, which surprised me because drilled rotors tend to be louder. I used this red grease on the back of my shims that was provided by Stoptech in the kit. I used every bit of it - a thick layer over the entire shim. Every time the car hits water, that stuff will break down a little. More is better in this application.
I did the bedding/burnishing procedure per Stoptech's manual and it was freakin scary. After the installation was complete, I took the car around some neighborhood streets at very low speeds. Just wanted to make sure nothing was leaking, and I didn't hear any strange noises. Immediately I thought the brakes felt like OEM or maybe a little bit softer. My pedal was sinking a bit and I did several looks to see if I was losing fluid.
After I was satisfied there were no leaks or fitment issues, I followed the recommendation to accelerate up to 60 mph and to brake down to 10mph, then immediately accelerate back up to 60 and do it again for 10 cycles. Brake pressure should be 80-90% power (BEFORE ABS kicks in). This heats up the rotor and the pads. The idea is not just bedding (making sure the pads are fully seated on the rotor), but also "burnishing" which is the deposit of a layer of pad material on the rotor. This can only be done when both are hot. Around my 6th hard brake, I noticed some smoke, which Stoptech says can happen. On the seventh, it was billowing smoke and I was SURE I popped a brake line and was burning brake fluid on the hot rotors. But it was coming from both front sides, and after checking and not seeing anything, I finished out the cycles and then drove around until the rotors cooled off. Back rotors and pads seemed normal throughout this procedure. I think there are some cleaners or oils, brake fluid, WD-40, or just water that got into the rotor during manufacturing and/or during my installation. When they get hot for the first time, all this stuff burns out. That's my theory about the thick smoke.
The very first time I used the brake after the rotors were cool, they felt... sticky! There was virtually no pedal sink, and they grabbed much more quickly. I'm getting used to the change in feel - It seems that I have to press harder at low speeds, and softer at high speeds than I did with OEM. Absolutely no smoke since they cooled off that first time and no noise or vibration. Stoptech recommends a second acceleration/braking 10 cycle burnishing run, after the rotors are cooled from the first 10 cycle run. Admittedly, I have not done the second burnishing run. I should, but I love the feel right now.
There are some warnings about the procedure that are described in the manual. Doing it wrong could cause future vibration or possibly squeal.
Wow. I spewed there. Just easy to talk about my FX, I guess...
---------- Post added at 09:56 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:36 AM ----------
I just installed the 6/4 front and rear Rotora and I am getting a lot brake squeal, but only at slow speeds. Have you had any similar issues? I tried using some of that spray on shim for the back of the pads, but it only seemed to work for a few days. I can't find any shim stock that I can cut to shape for these pads. Rotora told me that there is a 5k mile break in period, but I don't see it getting any better.
thanks,
john
Try the grease you wipe on rather than spray. Make sure it's all over where the piston makes contact with the shim.
It could also be the particular type of pad you are using. Sometimes changing from a ceramic to a ferro-carbon can get rid of squeal (or make it start squealing).
In my above post, I described bedding/burnishing. You could try that, but if something was not installed correctly, it could be dangerous. If you're sure everything is installed correctly, give it a shot. Sounds like you don't have anything to lose.
