Hi Fellow Alfa (159) Owners
I understand it is a common problem but am now having issues with a set of squealing Brembos on my 159.
Car is a 2010 JTD Ti purchased second hand in July 2014 with 18,500km on the clock.
Brakes started making noises just prior to 40k servicing. Between 40k and 50k noise became progressively worse.
Had original Alfa discs and pads replaced 3 weeks ago at 50k but noise still persists.
Noise most apparent when "feathering" the brakes when coming to a slow stop and not under hard braking.
Can happen under any circumstance and there's no logic to when and where.
Any ideas to eliminate the abhorrent screams? Is the car simply swearing at me in Italian? :o
I did read on a UK forum that universal anti squeal brake pad shims and grease has helped others. Mintex make these products as I'm sure some others do.
Thanks in advance...
Cheers
BB
i would recommend staying clear of the Chinese made aftermarket Brembos disc rotor and pads that is currently out there. had many issues using them on mercs and bmws. stick with the genuine pads or TRW.
stupid question, but did you check all brake pads? especially the rear brake pads? noise coming from the front or rear?
Thanks Sidmann
Only had the fronts done. New OEM discs and pads courtesy of my Alfa mechanic.
I read somewhere you can tell if its the rear brakes squealing by lightly pulling the handbrake. If the noise disappears then it's the rears that are the problem. Does this sound correct?
Btw what's "TRW"?
Regards
BB
Cant really offer any help, but my 159 (also a 2010) has brake squeal at low speed - eg. when parking etc.
Brake pads and rotors are genuine (and visually both good) .. I just put up with it. Potsie.
Same problem I had. New pads and machined discs noise went away.
Found this on the web. What do people think?
http://www.alfaworkshop.co.uk/alfa_squeaking_brakes.shtml
Quickest way to get rid of squealing is to follow the advice on using "copperslip". It is a copper based grease, use it on the sliders and contact area between pistons and back of the pads.
You can get copper based greases specifically for this at places like Supercheap, Autobarn, any brake sprcialist.
Almost guarantee the squeal disappears. ;)
Baz
Well I got a bit of squeal at at low speeds coming to a stop but only after the brakes are warm.
Took it to ABS. Could not replicate it but noted some sort of silicon compound that was used to stop the squeak. They cleaned all of this up.
Noted that the front rotors cannot be machined and that the brake pads were over hanging the rotor. Noted that the pads were down 60%. Also the front pads are different compound to the rear.
So I guess once the fronts need to be done, I will change back and front rotors and get new pads for the rear.
ABS recommend Bendix at around $1200 for the lot.
Back when I had my 159 I had the same issue with squealing brakes. Like what Bazz recommended, pull the pads out and use a copper based grease and slide the pads back in again. I did it to the front and rear on mine and it stopped the squealing. Aparently it is caused by the vibrations between the rotors and pads and the grease acts as a shock absorber to reduce this vibration.
If you need to replace the pads and rotors, I highly, highly, highly recommend DBA T2 rotors and Bendix general-ct pads. I did it to mine and I couldn't believe the difference it made with brake dust. With my old pads I'd drive it to work once and you could actually see the brake dust on the front wheels. With the Bendix pads I could go a whole week without noticing the dust.
Andrew.
Quote from: V AR 164 on March 12, 2020, 06:09:50 PM
highly recommend DBA T2 rotors and Bendix general-ct pads.
I think the CTs are the ones they would put on. And Bendix rotors I cannot find any except for performance grooved ones.
But online, I found Brembo rotors from Sparesbox to suit.
Frankly I have never done brake pads so I would not be comfortable in dismantling them to grease the pins.
They mentioned someone had used a silicone something to stop the squealing in the past. Sound right?
club sponsors????
Bazz is that suttle enough?
Only club sponsors have touched my car in 6 years.
Replacing the front brakes (pads/rotors) is not much harder than taking off the front wheel, honestly.
Is that $1,200 all inclusive (OEM parts)?
Quote from: Domenic on March 13, 2020, 05:32:16 PM
club sponsors????
Bazz is that suttle enough?
Bout as subtle as a "Brick wrapped in lemon" ;)
;D ;D ;D
Yes $1200 is all inclusive.
Quote from: Craig_m67 on March 13, 2020, 07:27:41 PM
Replacing the front brakes (pads/rotors) is not much harder than taking off the front wheel, honestly.
Is that $1,200 all inclusive (OEM parts)?
I am no mechanic, but replacing pads and rotors is dead easy as Craig says. Indeed hardly more complex than changing a wheel. If you can source OEM or quality aftermarket parts online (or 40% off sale at Repco! [Bosch rotors]) you can do this for a fraction of the cost of what a workshop will charge. I find the trickiest bit is putting the disc wear sensor back properly and that's not hard.
I just checked online, SuperCheap auto has Bosch/DBA/TRW Pads and rotors to suit (OE) all up (everything) about $370./ sans any discount. The hardest part about changing pads and rotors is removing the wheel. Personally, I always buy original Alfa from OS (shop4parts) or Avante here in Aust.
Anybody paying $1,200 for front brakes has too much money. I could fly down and do it on your driveway, using the jack already in the car for far less.
Are they going to flush the brake system?
Best I can get a a combo for 2 front rotors, front and rear brake pads $505.
Anyone willing to put them on my car for a slab or two? Near Eltham Vic. Social distancing will be observed off course?
cheers
You can do this yourself.. grab a slab, watch a few YouTube vids, seriously it's a piece of piss.
You will need a piston wind in tool for the rears (to replace the pads). The fronts just push in, use the old pad and a G-clamp (etc.,)
Yeah, for the uninitiated there are a few traps, such as removing some brake fluid from the reservoir so it does not overflow when pushing the pistons back, where to apply copper grease to prevent brake squeal ect ect.
To be honest, if you have never done brakes before, DO get someone who knows how to at least give you a hand or show you how, lets face it, if you screw it up, someone WILL have a bad day.
You never know, the life you save could be mine . . . . . .
And you'll need to add a can of brake cleaner to the expenses. Again, sourced during a '30 percent off everything' promotion.
After replacing the rotors and pads on Junior's car I cheekily had a free brake inspection done by a local brake specialist. All good... Rest easy Bazz!
Quote from: kaleuclint on April 06, 2020, 04:23:56 PM
All good... Rest easy Bazz!
Literally . .
"Famous last words!" "Tempting the gods" "What could possibly go wrong?" ;)
;D ;D ;D
Changing the oil is harder (messier)... when are you coming to do mine (again) ;)
When are you offering two man rooftop bar-b-que with beer, social distancing rules and all. ;)
Quote from: Craig_m67 on April 06, 2020, 08:51:47 PM
Changing the oil is harder (messier)... when are you coming to do mine (again) ;)
He is referring to 159/Giulietta 1750TBi, in case anyone was wondering "what's so hard?".
Quote from: Australia on March 12, 2020, 01:47:21 PM
Took it to ABS........
Noted that the front rotors cannot be machined and that the brake pads were over hanging the rotor. Noted that the pads were down 60%. Also the front pads are different compound to the rear.
So I guess once the fronts need to be done, I will change back and front rotors and get new pads for the rear.
With some upcoming time on my hands, looked at a few videos of pads (with Brembo calipers for the front) and rotors being replaced on a 159. Looked easy.
Checked online for the rotors that are both ventilated front and back. Noted the minimum thickness of the front rotors is 26mm. Measured both left and right of mine and they are 27mm. Thus only half worn. So plenty of meat left on them, and unless they need machining, dont need to be replaced anytime soon.
The good news is that the squeal seems to have gone away, so the "need" to much around with the brakes is a lot diminished right now.
So, my rear brakes squeak a bit since they are due for a change too. Front pads and rotors done last service, with the rear due in a few thousand kms. Figured they're due about now though, perhaps a bit earlier than scheduled, given the squeals when slowing down at the traffic lights.
Came home Thursday evening after work, like any other day.
Went to leave Friday morning to work, like any other day. There's this weird metal-on-metal squeal coming from (one or both?) of the rear wheels. Sounds worse than any sort of squealing brakes I've ever heard. Dare I say, a high pitched grating sound in low gear.
No foot on the brake. Same sound. Hit the brakes once or twice to test, and same sound, no change there.
Clutch out all the way, no change in the sound.
Clutch in, same sound.
Same sound in reverse too.
It clears up once the speed picks up from second gear onwards. But I only went around the block, returned it to the driveway and took the train (yes, I did sanitise my hands afterwards!)
Nerve-racking to say the least. Figured the brakes have gone right down?
Or is this something worse? 2010 2.2 JTS Ti with just 64,500 km on the clock. Last serviced at 58,000 kms (in July).
What are your thoughts?
Rear pads worn out most likely.
What's the chance of driving to Maranello Pur-sang (70km) vs the local mechanic up the road here (800 metres)?
I'd give it a go myself, but life is just mad as a school teacher in 2020. For once, I'd be happy to pay someone else for the convenience.
Any local mechanic should be able to do the job.
If you have a caliper winding tool, it takes about 20 mins a side... and half that time is jacking the car and taking the wheels off.
They also had one set of these left at my local Repco - talk about a cheap and quick pad change!
https://www.repco.com.au/en/parts-service/braking/brake-pads/trw-brake-pad-set-gdb1650/p/A9513409
I ditched the underwhelming discs and pads on Bella. I bought my first Brera in Singapore from new and whilst it would pull up frankly it felt a bit soft. So fitted Tarox black pads all round and Tarox perforated dics front n rear. A great investment - Man do they bite as they heat up - Bella will stop on a dime. So when I moved here (Tassie) and bought a S/H One owner low mileage Brera in Sydney I sent it to the Alfa God there - spent around $12000 on it (all new suspension including Brera S components, new radiator, all new hoses, new Prodrive S rims n Michelin tyres - (going back to Pirellis asap), new TI steering wheel, TI pedals, brake upgrade, full tune, all fluids replaced inc brake fluid and reservoir to correct uprated Alfa spec) - a much better car now. All it needs is around 350HP (SC kit and full flow exo should do it). Race cams anyone? MACE engineering has them.
Hi,
I wanted to add to this thread as I've just replaced my pads & disks on my 159 and came to here beforehand for some information. I decided to go for Brembo and I shopped around locally but nobody could supply me with rear disks or pads. Then I got a quote for OEM "rear pads only" from a local service centre for $500 - that's not fitted, just the pads! This motivated me to shop on line and I ended up on the Squadra Sportiva site (www.squadra-sportiva.com) that had everything I needed in stock and at a decent price. Yes there was shipping on top, but even with that, the end price was fair by local standards. They arrived in x 6 days from Germany and that included a day delay owing to bad weather! Their site is really informative and the service was efficient & prompt.
I upgraded to slotted disks on the front, normal on the rear and can report absolutely no squealing and all is good
Cheers
Stu
thanks Stu
Quote from: Craig_m67 on March 13, 2020, 07:27:41 PM
Replacing the front brakes (pads/rotors) is not much harder than taking off the front wheel, honestly.
Is that $1,200 all inclusive (OEM parts)?
Well, once you take off the wheel, you're halfway there! ;D
Yes, that $1200 sounds about right to me.