Grind the leading edge of each pad, on a mild angle. This
   will stop it every time. Most new pads come this way, now
   of days...

            Eric                   86-VW4x4
            vw4x4@fyi.net          72-240z
            Pittsburgh, PA USA     1936-Chrysler

On Wed, 4 Mar 1998, Mark McCulley wrote:

> I recently replaced the front pads and rotors on my 87 syncro Westy. I used
> OEM pads purchased from a dealer. After a bit of driving, the pads began to
> squeal so I removed them and reinstalled using that gooey blue Permatex
> stuff between the pads and the calipers. This didn't really help.
>
> The brakes only squeal after they have warmed up a bit. Driving in the city,
> they won't squeal until I've made maybe a dozen stops. Then they squeal
> until the van sits and rests and the brakes cool down. Another thing, they
> only squeal within a certain range of pedal pressure. Push harder or lighter
> than this and they won't squeal. Definately seems to be a resonance sort of
> thing.
>
> This is getting annoying to me and my passengers and I'd like to fix the
> problem. I have two ideas:
>
> 1. Remove pads and install the thin aluminum shims that are designed to
> eliminate squealing.
> 2. Replace pads with pads that are softer and non-metallic.
>
> Any recommendations or advice?
>
> Mark McCulley
> 87 syncro Westfalia
>