ok, well awhile back I put a set of Hawk HP+ pads on my GSL-SE, but the squeal is really starting to get to me.... It's freaking LOUD coming up on street signs! So I have a two part question; (ok, 2 ?'s)

1) what makes them squeal so bad? Is it because they are too cold? Should I give them a nice hard stop to get them heated up before I continue on my drive? Would that help?

2)Is there anything I can do to lessen the squeal? Do any of those anti-squeal products actually work? I scanned thru the local auto parts place and they had a couple things, but I doubt their functionality for some reason... Any experiance?

 

Nothing to do but stop hard everytime They always squeal, but if you mash the pedal hard they stay quiet. Of course people may run over you...

 

I have never had a problem with squeal. I use the off the shelf anti squeal stuff (thats the technical name), and also run the HP plus pads.
The Hp pads are designed so that you shouldent really need to warm them of much if at all.
I dunno know you could choose to just stand on the brakes at every stop. But if you have a hot date on the car she might not appreciate it.
Good luck.

 

I have HP+ pads on my 3rd gen and I don't have any squeal. I did use an anti squeal product.

 

Hawk HP+ pads are notorious for squealing. They are also known to be extremely dusty. Even Hawk's own webpage says that these pads tend to squeal and dust a lot. Thats just the price you pay for great brake pads. I also have Hawk HP+'s and they squeal sometimes and dust a TON. But they work great so I don't complain too much. All you can do is apply anti-squeal compound crap, and occassionally use the old brake cleaner and air compressor to clean and blow out as much dust as possible.

 

The BEST way to reduce squeal - is first take out the pads and CLEAN everything especially all the contact points between tne Caliper & Pad then reassemble using new shims and anti-rattle ("M") springs, Spray a LIGHT coating of anti-squeal stuff between the pad & shim only. If you have the later Hawk Pads the Inner shim comes Pre-Attached to the pad, if so don't use the stock inner shim, only use the outter shim (the one with the little arrow cut into it) on the fronts.
On the rears make sure the seating surface of the piston is flat and free from any raised dings/burrs as the piston must be able to sit FLAT on the pad to prevent squeal. Again if the pads come with preattached shims DO NOT use the stock shims and ALWAYS reassemble with NEW anti-rattle ("V") springs. Only use the anti-squeal spray between the pad & shim.
Don't use any anti-squeal stuff on pads w/preattched shims, HAWK has done that for you. If you still can't stop the noise try HAWK'S HPS compound, on the street it has 98% as much stopping power as HP+ w/o the squeal and 1/4 the dust.