RE: 164 brakes - replacement pad rec's? Squeal issue?

["Eaton, Jason" <jeaton@domain.elided>]

I just replaced the front pad and rotors on my Milano. They squeaked
horribly enough to make dogs run and children cry! There is no reason for
this .. I thought for sure the rotors where ruined. But when I took the
front brakes and rotors apart I found that the pads were in good shape as
well as the rotors. However the previous owner had not installed anti-squeak
plates.

I took my new pads down to the auto parts store and asked them to find some
brake pad shims to match em. Since I installed those I have had no problem
with squeaking. Dead quiet.

-----Original Message-----
From: Mcmahonmik@domain.elided [mailto:Mcmahonmik@domain.elided] 
Sent: Friday, January 17, 2003 5:38 AM
To: alfa@domain.elided
Subject: 164 brakes - replacement pad rec's? Squeal issue?


The brake squeal on my 164LS had gotten so bad that I'm willing to change
the 
pads to make it go away.  I was told by my former-dealer that the noise is 
"normal" and that Alfa even sent them a special letter back in the day to 
"prove" to agitated customers that the objective of Alfa brakes is to stop 
you - NOT to sort of stop you while being nice & quiet and never dusting.
Oh 
yeah - he also didn't put much stock in anti-squeal goop, but probably 
because the noise doesn't bother HIM, but the mess might.

I want it all.   

Now soliciting recommendations on brake pad brands/compounds (and
anti-squeal 
products or methods used with such).

My current pads don't have sensor wires (or I haven't found them) so the 
replacements don't need to.  What I want is good initial (cold) stopping 
power without fading over multiple "hard street" stops.  These don't have to

take 2 hours of lapping Lime Rock or some such, but I like to use the brakes

on an Alfa.

I'm sure someone will have opinions.  There are a number of places with
after 
market pads for sale in AlfaOwner alone.  None list the Lucas pads mentioned

in the 164 FAQ though.  What have you used & where did they come from?

Thanks,
-mike mcmahon
94 164LS - noisy when slowing, melodious otherwise
86 graduate - always beautiful music
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