Squeeky Brakes

The pads are directional. Maybe they're installed backwards. That will cause squeak.

 

I've actually found that many Ferraris have the same squeaky brakes. I think it has to do with the aggressive brake pad compound. I've gotten used to it and can usually modulate the pedal to minimize the squeaking. Or a few hard stops usually cures it for a while. Probably not what you wanted to hear though

 

My 1998 has the same problem replaced the front pads and now getting ready to do the rears. Hopefully that will eliminate this all together. I know the feeling it's embarrassing to pull up to a stop in a Ferrari and have it sound like a car that someone doesn't take care of.

 

You pads are most likely glazed. Try going about 50 mph and stand on the brakes firmly 2 or 3 times. Noise should go away, but will return if brakes are used lightly.

 

I, too, need to make a couple hard (60 to nearly 0) stops to get them to stop squealing for a little while. It just comes right back, so I've learned to live with it. I'm going to replace the rotors this winter, so I am curious to see if that solves the issue.

 

Mine do the same. 13K miles, all original brakes. Seems like heat has an effect - I can't remeber if they make nosie when hot or cold but I do recall a difference...

 

Anti squeal should help. I've also taken them off and sanded them on compound side to remove the glazing on another car I had. If you take them off, make sure there is no rust on the metal surface side of the pads. Mine only do it when I back up and stop, so, not a big deal.

 

I always make sure my pads are chamfered before installing and all the hardware is properly dampened.

 

squeeling brakes is caused by the pad vibrating when you press the brakes lightly, doesn't happen when you stomp on them, harder compound pads cause it more than standard pads,
if car is lightly used the pads will glaze up and make it worse, hard use of the brakes a few times may help,

or, take the pads out and rough the surface us a little with some fine sand paper and when you put the pads back in put some copper ease grease on the piston side of the pad, problem will be solved,

Porsche pads all come with self adhesive pads that stick the pads and clips into the pistons to stop them vibrating, but haven't seen them supplied with 355 stock pads,

rear Porsche 993 callipers are the same as front and rear 355s,

if your mechanically minded it take longer to jack up the car and take the wheel off than it does to take the pads out and grease them and stick them back in,

if not get a garage to take them out, clean the callipers and lightly sand the face of them and put back with some copper grease,

regards
scott.

 

I use StopTech Posi-Quiet ceramic brakes on my F355 (thanks for the recommendation Greg). Use anti-squeal on the backing plate and use high temp brake grease on the metal hardware. No squeaks and squeals in over ~1.5 years since installation. Replacing pads on a F355 is maybe an hour job for all 4 wheels. It took me 30 minutes for the rears which included jacking, removing tires, cleaning hardware and installing pads. Front are F40 Brembo brakes which took a bit longer due to the retaining pins being a pain to put back in.

 

I would suggest an easier fix -- use OEM pads and rotors. The PO of my car had racing pads on the car and they squealed like a stuck pig. After I switched to OEM it has been blissfully silent...

 

I've got news for you.....I have a 98, 13K miles, OEM everything and the brakes squeek llol

 

15 yr old rotors?

 

The ceramic pads also have the benefit of not producing allot of black brake dust and it keeps your rims looking good. Racing pads are... well for racing and in racing one doesn't worry too much about brake squealing. I do allot of spirited driving on the back roads and the ceramic pads do very well. I also have the same pads on my Highlander after liking them so much on the F355 and sooner than later will be putting them on my FR-S.

 

Stock brake pads and Potterfield brakes were both giving me that dump truck squeeel. I went to Hawk ceramics and the squeel is all gone now.

 

My 1999 355 sqeak when stopping lightly too. No big deal.

 

I've had squeaky brakes and know how to fix it As mentioned above its caused by the pad vibrating against the piston when not being held firmly and hence only happens under gentle braking.

You need to pull your pads out and clean up the metal tracks the pads sit in - don't forget to do the top and bottom tracks. You can see a cleaned up one on the right of this pic. Add a smidge of brake grease to the edge of the pad backing pad. At the very least this should get rid of it temporarily if not peranantly. If it comes back after a day or 2 you need to check how freely your pistons move but this involves popping your pistons and cleaning them.
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I put Porterfields on the back no problems, but on the front bad squeak, I hated it. I took them off and put anti squeak stuff on the back (like spray paint) and it helped not a bit. Then, I replaced them with Stop Techs, a softer more OEM compound and no problems since.

 

Err, try 100MPH and 6-8 stops down under 40MPH--just leave the car in 3rd gear. You need to get the brakes up to operating temperature. Then when you can smell the brakes in the car, drive for 5 minuts without using the brakes.

 

Just replaced my rear with these the front were already done by me about 2 weeks ago. Just bedded them today and no squeel. So we'll see how they hold up the more I drive it, but I'm so happy not to have that sound every time I come to a light.

 

My money is on the chamfer solution.
My F355 brakes squealed relentlessly at low speed. I tried the sticky stuff. I tried the slippery stuff. The right rear kept squealing. After reading this thread I pulled the wheel and pads again. I had previously scrupulously put the pads back in the side they came out of - inner vs outer. This time I took special note of the fact that the pads were (nearly) identical. But ..... they have a significant manufactured chamfer on one side and it is mirror image between the two pads. And the pads actually have a directional arrow printed on the backside. And the caliper actually has a directional arrow as well. And the pads on the right wheel were installed WRONG. I cleaned them up, put some slippery stuff on them and reinstalled them. No squeal.
My money is on the chamfer solution.