[QP Sport]

Originally Posted by paradon

...but if you just replaced pads without turning tthe rotors it is going to take a while for them to mate against the old surface...

I have some new pads from Formula Dynamics for my QP but car is in winter storage and haven't replaced OEM pads yet. It looks like a pretty easy DIY even for a newbie like me. At least if all you have to do is swap pads.

But when I do, do I need to turn the rotors? How do I know if I need to? If I don't, besides taking a longer time to mate, is there any risk to rotors? I presume if they need to be turned that must be done by an "expert" in a shop?

[paradon]

Replacing the pads is a very simple job on the QP. Replacing the rotors isn't technically that much more difficult.

You will get a number of different opinions on whether to replace rotors or not. On my other cars I usually do the rotors at the same time since they are very inexpensive. I have not been able to find any aftermarket rotors for the QP so spending $2K to replace them every 15K pad change isn't my first choice. My general rule of thumb then is not to replace the rotors as long as there is no significant scoring, heat or hard spots, or excessive run-out. You need to clean the rotors properly before replacing the pads.

[QP Sport]

Originally Posted by paradon

... My general rule of thumb then is not to replace the rotors as long as there is no significant scoring, heat or hard spots, or excessive run-out. You need to clean the rotors properly before replacing the pads.

Thanks. What is best way to clean the rotors? Is it obvious if there is significant scoring, heat or hard spots, or excessive run-out (Not sure what the latter refers to.)

[paradon]

This is a link to a google book which provides a good overview of disc brake systems.

http://books.google.ca/books?id=yUvr...result#PPP5,M1

[gobuck]

6 months later and I've had it with the brake squeal in the 2006 Maserati Quattroporte. 5 months ago I completely changed the pads to the Formula Dynamics pads posted here but there was no improvement. It doesn't matter whether they are hot or not as some have posted here. It is a load squeal that is noticeable almost a block away. Recently went into the dealer office to ask about the problem and was told all 2006's squeal like this and there is nothing that can be done.

What a POS (expletive deleted) car!!!!

[Island Maser]

Mine will squeal when they are cold with very little pressure applied. If you step harder it stops completely or if they get warm. Sounds pretty ugly on a classy car but I hear in Ferrari's and Lambo's too. Get a little heat in them and they are fine. I just saw where a guy got his money back on a Lambo (Lemon Law) for brake squeal they could not fix.

[Vincenzo]

Look into these.

[Niteroi]

Mine always squeal when backing up, going forward is very rare. I have FD pads on front and OEM on rear.

[Alfa_Tiv]

Brake squeal is fairly common on these cars, especially, if you use them lightly for prolonged periods. Apparently, the OEM pads are of a harder compound and for "performance" driving ....i took that to be drive fast, break hard.

At any rate, the solution is to move to a softer aftermarket pad or have your dealer/garage shave the pads for you when they start to squeal.

I am due for a "shave" for about 2 months now

Yes, really freak'n annoying but that's what happens when you buy a performance car and end up just tooling around town

[RickBullotta]

Originally Posted by Fixer

The brakes on my 06 coupe GT are squealing when I come to a slow stop. Isn't there an indicator light on the dash to alert me if the brakes need to be replaced? Is this noise an indication of wear or do they just need to be adjusted?

-J

It's fairly normal for these brakes to squeal a bit during slow stopping. Mine always did. The upside is that the stock pads produce very little dust and last a really long time, typically 25K-30K miles. Aftermarket pads would improve braking and eliminate the squeal, but at the expense of reduced life and more dust on your wheels...

[FormulaDynamics]

BTW, we now offer a Performance Pad and a Quieter Pad Compound that is much less likely to squeal.

As noted by many, the Maserati is notorious for squealing and the dealer can't do much about it. It also doesn't seem to happen with every Maserati which leads us to believe that it's a caliper alignment issue.

We've been selling the Quiet Pad as an option for several months now and so far so good!

In general to avoid squeal, you can do the following:

* Resurface the rotor or replace with new
* Clean the caliper inside and out with brake clean.
* Lubricate the Pad backs and slide Pins with a anti-squeal Brake Lube compound
* Follow the proper Bed-In / Break-In Instructions


Best Regards,
-- Jeff

[gobuck]

Brake squeal problem solved in 06 Quattro.......Yeah!!!!!!!!

Replaced rotors and pads.

Dream come true. Somebody pinch me. It must have been the rotors this whole time. Knock on wood.........................

[drivehard]

I have 2006 GT Sport-- a squealing machine, I have decided to replace rotars and pads with FD equipment...is this what you used, please advise. thanks, dh

[Lsalazarg]

Originally Posted by milanojess

if your driving is with light braking mostly, which caused the squeal at first, then it will eventually come back. YMMV on how long it will last after the hard braking exercises. My experience is that if you follow a full brake pad brake in exercises till brakes are hot, basically a few repeating heavy brake from 35->0, 40->0, 60->, till brakes are hot hot, then let them cool down (don't use parking brake til they are cool) That usually make it last for long time. This was especially true when I had semi metalics on the street.

This is the right solution, assuming your pads are ok. In my case my GT started with this annoying noise few weeks after I got her. My service rep told me that it was caused by light driving condition creating some sort of a "glaze" on the pad surface. He could clean that up for me but would come back... or I could do more aggressive driving as the car was built for that. He suggested some 60 --> 20 sessions (never to a complete stop), in a safe environment. I did so and the problem went away.

[johngn2007]

Came across this forum after sheer frustration with my 06 QP squealing like hell! Cant beleive that there are so many posts on this, I thought I was the only plonker with a great car that sounds like shite! If anyone finds the Holy Grail please reply!