Hawk Ceramic sqeeeeeeek

[Grey Ghost]

My Hawk Ceramic brake pads are starting to squeak really bad. It is becoming very annoying. Is there anything that can be done to stop this problem? They were quiet at first, and the more miles they get on them the worse the noise gets.

[Daytona 226]

It's a very well known issue with them. I changed mine out after 1500 miles. Just couldn't stand it anymore. Tossed in the garbage. Mine were so loud, it was actually embarrassing!

[Grey Ghost]

It's a very well known issue with them. I changed mine out after 1500 miles. Just couldn't stand it anymore. Tossed in the garbage. Mine were so loud, it was actually embarrassing!

Thanks man. What did you replace them with?

[richierevs]

My Hawk Ceramic brake pads are starting to squeak really bad. It is becoming very annoying. Is there anything that can be done to stop this problem? They were quiet at first, and the more miles they get on them the worse the noise gets.

Is the squeek coming from the front or the rear? If you want to keep the Hawk pads you'll have to frequently "bed" the brakes to keep the pads and rotors clean so they won't squeak. Do a search on "bedding brakes" to get more info.

[MattRobertson]

I wonder if the slotted SRT rotors (or slotted aftermarket RT rotors) would cheese-grate on the pads enough to keep them scuffed so they don't squeak. My slotted fronts never squeak. My rears are plain and they do get noisy in between track days.

[Rob@WretchedMS]

I have the DBA Slotted rotors on the GTO and the SRT8, both using the Hawk Ceramic pads for the street.

I have zero noises from either car.

I would have to say that if you have noise from this combo, they were likely not bedded properly.

With the HP+ pads i did get noise, but they are much more aggressive.

[Grey Ghost]

I have drilled and slotted rotors; both front and rear. The fronts seem to be the ones doing most the squeaking. If they continue to get worse, and I am sure they will no doubt, I'll replace them and try something new.

When new, I followed the recommended bedding procedure. I even had the instructions printed out along with me in the car. I have had them smoking a time or two since then during some pretty spirited driving. The have approximately 5-6000 miles on them.

[israel]

After installing you should bed them in and depending on the level of brake pads you got, warming them up usually stops the sqeaking.

[Rob@WretchedMS]

I have drilled and slotted rotors; both front and rear. The fronts seem to be the ones doing most the squeaking. If they continue to get worse, and I am sure they will no doubt, I'll replace them and try something new.

When new, I followed the recommended bedding procedure. I even had the instructions printed out along with me in the car. I have had them smoking a time or two since then during some pretty spirited driving.

then it sounds like you have glazed the pads, (and possibly overheated the rotors, as drilled rotors are not that durable)

You should check the rotors for heat spots, and cracks.
The best course of action on the pads would be to replace them.

I'm going to assume that they didn't make noise until you overheated them.

[MattRobertson]

I have had them smoking a time or two since then during some pretty spirited driving.

That may be your problem. You may have glazed the pads? Bed those suckers again.

[Grey Ghost]

then it sounds like you have glazed the pads, (and possibly overheated the rotors, as drilled rotors are not that durable)

You should check the rotors for heat spots, and cracks.
The best course of action on the pads would be to replace them.

I'm going to assume that they didn't make noise until you overheated them.

You're right!! No noise till I overheated them. I will be replacing them soon then. It sure didn’t take much to overdue it with these things. I’ll try the rebedding, got nothing to loose, and then go from there.

[Rob@WretchedMS]

The rotors are what will dissipate the heat, not so much the pads, so upgrading the rotors would be a good idea if your overheating your current setup.

[richierevs]

I have drilled and slotted rotors; both front and rear. The fronts seem to be the ones doing most the squeaking. If they continue to get worse, and I am sure they will no doubt, I'll replace them and try something new.

When new, I followed the recommended bedding procedure. I even had the instructions printed out along with me in the car. I have had them smoking a time or two since then during some pretty spirited driving. The have approximately 5-6000 miles on them.

FWIW, drilled rotors don't do well on LXs. Do a forum search on rotors to get more info.

[dudeiwin86]

ill post pictures of my cracked slotted/drilled rotors if oyu want

i now have slotted only front rotors with HP ceramic pads.
i have to bed them often just to stop the squeeling.
i hate them.
they do bite a bit better than the posiquiets i had before tho

[OLJustice]

Idk why you guys all put up with ceramic pads. Just to get rid of a bit of dust? At what expense?? noise and stopping power?

Give me gold ol' reliable semi-metallics any day.