Front brakes squeal when stopping

[coreydmc]

My front pad and rotors are in good shape. When I start slowing down to come to a stop the front pads squeal like crazy. Kinda embarrassing to drive around like that. Do I need a rubber pad between the pad and caliper piston or is there another solution?
Thanks

[Delorean Industries]

The pad to rotor contact surfaces are glazed. Best solution is to either replace pads and machine rotors if in spec and or replace both pads and rotors outright.

[Bitsyncmaster]

I've had the squeal problem after replacing my pads on daily drivers. I learned not to buy cheap pads. Replaced with better pads and no squeal problem.

[SS Spoiler]

Here's an odd one, my brakes would squeak
just driving 5 feet. Turns out the nut that holds
the spindle to the front hub assembly was finger
tight. If the brakes hadn't made noise I never
would have investigated until the front wheel
fell off! I think it was supposed to be at
250LB ? of torque.

[Michael]

If the pads are good and not too old(more than 8-10 years) just replace them, otherwise pull the pads, sand the surface with 100 grit paper, clean the backing plate and put some anti squeal on and reassemble.

During my semi annual detailing session, I will often just pull the pads and clean them since I remove them to clean the calipers and pins anyway.

[David T]

If you don't use the car often or you glazed the pads or the anti-squeal pads are missing you would get noise. To get rid of the noise you can sand the surface of the pads to expose fresh materiel. The surfaces of the rotors should be sanded with a 3" disc in a circular pattern too. If you don't have the anti-squeal pads either get a set or replace the brake pads with ones that have the anti-squeal pads attached. PJ Grady also sells a set of springs that can reduce squeal. You can also buy anti-squeal spray that you spray on the back of the brake pads to quiet them in any large auto store. Make sure the calipers are clean and the pads can move a little in the caliper. If the pins are worn they should be replaced. You don't have to live with the squeal.