There have been lots of postings on this over the years.
I recite my personal experience:
I brought up the subject of squeeking brakes at low speeds before stops and
when I lightly touched the brake pedal.
Solutions offered:
1) File the sharp corners off the brake pads. (Didn't work).
2) Be sure you have the spacer tin pieces behind the pads (Never had any so
I made my own from 32 GA Aluminum, didn't work.)
3) Use the disk brake compound on the backs of the pads (Didn't work).
4) Return the pads to the vender and get an OEM set. (Worked great, no more
squeek.)

Stan Wilder
www.engineceramics.com

----- Original Message -----
From: "Josh Greenberg" <josh@JOSHGREENBERG.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Friday, July 09, 2004 9:24 AM
Subject: Squeaking Wheels When Brakes Not Applied

> Volks,
>
> Last week, I replaced the front brake pads on my 83.5 Westy.  The job was
> straight forward enough and everything went smoothly.  It was a really
tight
> fit when I got the new break pads in, although I thought for sure I had
> pushed the piston all the way in with the C-clamp I was using.  I also
> applied some noise reduction goo to the back of the new break pads.
Another
> point of interest is, when I pulled out the old pads, which I think were
the
> originals, there was a thin metal plate behind the old pad that makes
> contact with the piston.  I didn't know if these were part of the old
brake
> pads or the braking system.  When I put in the new pad, I continued to use
> these thin plates.
>
> However, now when I drive the vehicle I hear a faint squeaking coming from
> the front wheels.  When I apply the front breaks the squeaking goes away
and
> when I turn the wheel the squeaking goes away.
>
> Oh wisdom of the group, any ideas to what might be going on?  Is this
> something that needs my immediate attention.
>
> Thanks In Advance,
> Josh
> 83.5 Westy