348 Brake Squeal Issue... Tearing my Hair Out!!!

Sandy,

If you wish to try with OEM pads, there is fairly cheap set on Ebay, auction ending in some 40 min.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Ferrari-512m-512tr-Tr-Brake-Pads-Rear-Set-100-OEM-Brembo-70000767-/324004325898?_trksid=p2385738.m4383.l4275.c10

 

Just noticed that this is a "Frankenstein" set. Two of the pads have no anti-squeal backing pads and no "Brembo" written on them. Probably better not to buy.

 

*** spelling error....so Brembo did it for a reason.

 

Had the same embarrassing squeaks a couple of years ago on my 348, tried all the usual remedies but nothing work.
Took it to member 2NA "Tim" here in Minnesota and he fix it and no squeaks for the last two years and I drive it almost everyday here in MN during the Summer months.
Sorry that I can't remember exactly what he did but think he replace the Brembo's with Porterfields.
Maybe Tim "2NA"can chime in on this as what ever he did totally fix this issue.
Now I can drive in town without people looking at me when they heard the squeaks.

 

I assume you can turn rotors assuming the are in spec, there is nothing magical about Ferrari's in this regard.

 

I have made an extensive search for ATE seals (including comparison with all BMW, Volvo etc. seals) and could not find any to match the 348 calipers. I then decided to go for Brembo calipers. For the rears, I bought a used set off a 355 and they fit perfectly on the 348. As for the front calipers, it seems that the 355 ones will not fit as the 355 discs are 28 mm thick and the 348 discs are 24 mm. I bought new 348 front Brembo calipers from Eurospares (and spare Brembo seals from Zeckshausen).

An obvious thing to do to try to solve the squeal problem is to put original Ate pads in (actually made by Galfer, their no. 3318FF) because these pads are directional, i.e. have their anti-squeal pads positioned eccentrically so that the "downstream" half of the pad is pressed slightly harder than the "upstream" half. I think this is crucial for preventing the pad vibration. This is the set of Ate pads I recently bought on Ebay (https://www.ebay.com/itm/Original-ATE-Brake-Pads-Set-for-Porsche-911-930-928-944-968-Ferrari-348-F355/121973506690?hash=item1c66300282:g:97MAAOSwXXxZXV2z:, one more set available)

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Ohh new pistons AND new seal kits are out there alright, I had them bookmarked but lost the book marks. A shop in Germany actually has them, I actually spoke to them they also rebuild pressure test and paint the ATE calipers not including pistons if you need them. About $400 rebuild and paint per caliper if I recall.

 

The are actual ATE seals not Brembo, as mentioned they have actual ATE rebuild service too, let me see if I can find it, I actually spoke to them.

 

The rear 355 Brembos fit the rear 348 brakes. The front Brembos from a 355 will not fit the front 348 brakes, you will have to buy front Brembo calipers meant for the 348.

 

Id be interested to know who has the seals for the ATE callipers. I couldn't find anyone in Europe when looking. Plenty of others have looked too..I don't have any issues but would probably get some as spares if they sell them separately without having the rebuild. I would want to replace them myself.

 

Here's my saga in the pursuit of trying to stop the squeak/locate replacement seals!!!

http://www.clubscuderia.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?45388-348-DIY-quot-Restoration-quot&p=753868#post753868

Anyway, the situation now is that the new caliper cured the squeak on that side - just hv eit on the other side so half way there. I have actually bought a low milage to replace my existing LHS caliper that I'm hoping will cure the problem altogether.

My own personal opinion is that different types of pads wont fix it - its caused by either the pads not releasing off properly causing them to heat up and jam slightly or the pad is not being pressed on properly. In my personal case they are much worse in hot weather or when its a cold day after the brakes have had some use. The squeak only occurs when applying the brakes gently when coming to a stop.

 

Thank you Sandy

I'm the 2nd car arriving "announcing" my arrival! :-(



As said I bought a brand new (old stock) caliper from Maranello which cured that side so now have a spare squeaking caliper. If theres any interest I could do a post mortem on it as one of the theories is that rust under the guide plates forces the calipers upward/inwards restricting the pads free movement....

 

Has to be piston? Check for square-ness.

 

It seems that the Ate calipers are not really good. When I bought my 348 (had just 12 k miles), I had no squeaks but one of the rear calipers was binding after a short drive. That's when I started looking for Ate seals and, as I could not find any, I went for Brembos all round.

 

I think I know how to fix this and have taken some (very low quality) videos.

I dont know how to upload a 12mb video though and not registered with youtube (dont want to). Any idaes and Ill upload the videos?

 

There's about 10 of them plus about 10 photos!

I've completely stripped a caliper down to it's component parts and to my mind fixed the problem - really wish I could upload them

 

I've succumbed and posted the first one on youtube. Can't apogize enough for the poor quality - I'm no Stephen Spielberg! lol

This is just the intro - I'll post the other sup if there is interest - take a look and let me know....

 

And this is the sticking side of it after fixing it



Just bear with whilst I add up further pics and videos showing what I did to fix it