Wagner SX pads... about to pull them!

[wander2039]

Anyone else run the Wagner SX line of brake pads? Specifically this is on our 05 Jayco Escapade on a Chevy Express 3500 chassis. I'm about done with these pads and going to toss them! Seems like a waste since there only 3 years old and less than 30k, alot of pad left. But these pads SQUEAL loudly and I can't get them to stop. Before our big trip to Alaska I cleaned and lubed the fronts and it was mostly silent till around 8,000 miles into the trip. While the good thing is I never have to use my horn the brakes do pretty good waking everyone up.. it's a bit embarrassing LOL. No one runs out in front of us in campgrounds at least.

Don't know the pads move freely and has the shims. Thinking about Powerstops or AC-Delco Gold's.. less than $60.

 

[Sumboodie]

8k miles? You do a few laps before heading up to here?

 

[wander2039]

8k miles? You do a few laps before heading up to here?

Whole trip was over 9k from KC. We did do the lap around Alaska though.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Does Akebono make any pads for it?

EBC Ultimax2/Blackstuff is also good.

I think the SX is metallic or at least semi-metallic. Ceramic pads will be much quieter. The EBC pads I mentioned contain no metallic fibers at all, are quiet, and stop nice.

 

[GMBoy]

Did you bed them in after install? That makes the biggest difference in performance and quiteness. Also did you lube the back sides of the pads where they meet the caliper and piston as well as the other lube points? Did you use a good brake lube? Brake squeal is actually vibrations of the pads and that is why lubrication kills the noise. If that has all been done right then the pads are probably glazed over and replacement is best. Lastly are the rotors good?

 

[ripcord]

The Wagner OEx line of pads are the only pads I've tried in my wife's Expedition that never squealed, for what it's worth.

 

[SubieRubyRoo]

Did you bed them in after install? That makes the biggest difference in performance and quiteness. Also did you lube the back sides of the pads where they meet the caliper and piston as well as the other lube points? Did you use a good brake lube? Brake squeal is actually vibrations of the pads and that is why lubrication kills the noise. If that has all been done right then the pads are probably glazed over and replacement is best. Lastly are the rotors good?

Yeah the use of a silicone/ceramic anti-squeal grease all over the backing plates is a must. I didn’t believe it til I had a set of brand new OEM Ford pads that squealed almost immediately. I read this tip on the net, pulled them and smeared the purple packets that AAP has by the checkout on the backs of all 4 pads, reinstalled them, and the squeal was GONE! Try this first as it’s the cheapest; about $4 or so in grease.

 

[The Critic]

Yeah the use of a silicone/ceramic anti-squeal grease all over the backing plates is a must. I didn’t believe it til I had a set of brand new OEM Ford pads that squealed almost immediately. I read this tip on the net, pulled them and smeared the purple packets that AAP has by the checkout on the backs of all 4 pads, reinstalled them, and the squeal was GONE! Try this first as it’s the cheapest; about $4 or so in grease.

You are the 1/10 that this works for. 90% of the time, it is a big waste of time and turns into a nasty mess over time. This is why very few OEM's specify this in their service procedure, and the ones that do, specify the use of a high-solids moly paste and not brake lube.

 

[SubieRubyRoo]

You are the 1/10 that this works for. 90% of the time, it is a big waste of time and turns into a nasty mess over time. This is why very few OEM's specify this in their service procedure, and the ones that do, specify the use of a high-solids moly paste and not brake lube.

Fine, so use moly. I agree the silicone can be messy, but it’s less likely to be washed (or heated past the dropping point and melt) away, I know the moly won’t melt, but without the grease it seems the moly would be even more vulnerable.

The underlying point still holds that OP may see relief from his issue for a couple bucks in grease rather than a new brake job and fancy rotors & pads.

 

[The Critic]

Fine, so use moly. I agree the silicone can be messy, but it’s less likely to be washed (or heated past the dropping point and melt) away, I know the moly won’t melt, but without the grease it seems the moly would be even more vulnerable.

The underlying point still holds that OP may see relief from his issue for a couple bucks in grease rather than a new brake job and fancy rotors & pads.

It's about the solids content vs. the carriers. For the record, I have seen Permatex purple and orange get washed away after a few wheel cleanings using a more aggressive wheel cleaner.

 

[wander2039]

Does Akebono make any pads for it?

EBC Ultimax2/Blackstuff is also good.

I think the SX is metallic or at least semi-metallic. Ceramic pads will be much quieter. The EBC pads I mentioned contain no metallic fibers at all, are quiet, and stop nice.

Ceramic pads are factory but the factory pads didn't like heat. Get a little hot and wheel would go crazy. Don't know if aftermarket ceramic would be better. No heat issues with these semi-metallics. I'll look at those two.

 

[wander2039]

Did you bed them in after install? That makes the biggest difference in performance and quiteness. Also did you lube the back sides of the pads where they meet the caliper and piston as well as the other lube points? Did you use a good brake lube? Brake squeal is actually vibrations of the pads and that is why lubrication kills the noise. If that has all been done right then the pads are probably glazed over and replacement is best. Lastly are the rotors good?

Yes they were bed in, seem to stop fine. Last time I used Permatex purple and lubed every contact point and it was ok. But as it was mentioned later doesn't take much to wash off. The rotors were replaced when the pads were.

 

[wander2039]

Fine, so use moly. I agree the silicone can be messy, but it’s less likely to be washed (or heated past the dropping point and melt) away, I know the moly won’t melt, but without the grease it seems the moly would be even more vulnerable.

The underlying point still holds that OP may see relief from his issue for a couple bucks in grease rather than a new brake job and fancy rotors & pads.

Don't know about that.. I've tried both Permatex purple and Superlube grease. With both it lasted a while but eventually came back. None of my other 4 vehicles have this issue and I've did them all the same.

 

[The Critic]

Look into the DFC Ultimate Duty Pads. I have a set ready to go onto my truck. They are a unique formulation that is supposed to withstand severe loads while deliver strong bite. Noise levels are said to be tolerable.

 

[RyanY]

What kind of rotors do you have? I had a set of cheaper BrakeMotive rotors on my Odyssey and tried four brands of pads, including the BrakeMotive ones that came with the rotors; all were loud except Raybestos EHT, and these were the only ones that the squeal was tolerable (a little squeal sometimes, but not too bad). I later switched to Wagner rotors and reused the Raybestos pads, and the squeal is completely gone.

Edit: FWIW I replaced rotors and pads on my neighbor's truck with NAPA premium/SilentGuard combination and they perform well with no noise.

 

[The Critic]

What kind of rotors do you have? I had a set of cheaper BrakeMotive rotors on my Odyssey and tried four brands of pads, including the BrakeMotive ones that came with the rotors; all were loud except Raybestos EHT, and these were the only ones that the squeal was tolerable (a little squeal sometimes, but not too bad). I later I switched to Wagner rotors and reused the Raybestos pads, and the squeal is completely gone.

Edit: FWIW I replaced rotors and pads on my neighbor's truck with NAPA premium/SilentGuard combination and they perform well with no noise.

Rotor finish is a key factor as well.

 

[wander2039]

What kind of rotors do you have? I had a set of cheaper BrakeMotive rotors on my Odyssey and tried four brands of pads, including the BrakeMotive ones that came with the rotors; all were loud except Raybestos EHT, and these were the only ones that the squeal was tolerable (a little squeal sometimes, but not too bad). I later switched to Wagner rotors and reused the Raybestos pads, and the squeal is completely gone.

Edit: FWIW I replaced rotors and pads on my neighbor's truck with NAPA premium/SilentGuard combination and they perform well with no noise.

Got the Wagner BD rotors when I did the pads. Probable I guess but those weren't cheap rotors.

 

[RyanY]

Got the Wagner BD rotors when I did the pads. Probable I guess but those weren't cheap rotors.

That's what I have and they are silent with the Raybestos pads.