Although it is not common, one thing to check is to make sure that you
have no air in the hydraulics, or that your caliper pistons are not
moving freely because of corrosion.
This can prevent the piston from retracting and will allow the pads to
rub on the rotor even when the brakes are not applied.
Not very common, but I've seen it happen. (Particularly if your brake
fluid has never been changed.)

That being said, I think noisy vanagon brakes is somewhat endemic.
I've had good success by making sure to use anti-squeel goo on the back
of the brake pads before I install them.

Todd
'88 Westy

Josh Greenberg wrote:

>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
>
>
>