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Brake squeaks -- The Sound of Silence

Gents,

I've tried many solutions to the brake squealing and found a reliable
solution.  Brake squeal comes from what is in effect a harmonic vibration
between the rotor, pad and caliper/caliper piston.  Yes, it does pay to
clean up the lands where the pads go in (fixed caliper cars) and generally
get rid of the old brake dust.

Not using the softer OEM Jurid, Textar or Pagid will make a car less likely
to squeal (note, there are racing compounds from Pagid that stop well and
don't squeal).  Using high-temp anti-seize on the metal edges of the pad is
also a good idea as it helps the pad move and slide as it should, rather
than jam and squeal.
I've tried the liquid goo you put on the metal backing plates and it's OK. 
The spray versions available from Wurth and other suppliers is pretty good
too.  But nothing really lasts forever, until .....
  
The solution is a self-adhesive steel shim that you apply to the metal
backing pad before you install new pads. Yes this was once (still?) used by
BMW at the factory with mixed results.  Beck/Arnley (the foreign car
equivalent of NAPA) makes and sells them.  They are available for BMW's
(and other brands too) from the 2002 up to current cars.  The also offer a
fiber shim, you want the self-adhesive steel shim.  The bottom line is
they're in-expensive, easy to install and THEY WORK.

Check your yellow pages.  For readers like myself outside of the US &
Canada, find a good friend in the Digest to help you get them.  If you
can't find a distributor in your area, Beck/Arnely Worldparts in located in
Nashville, Tennessee.

Enjoy the silence,

Gregory Bradbury
1981 ///M535i (E12) -- for sale
[email protected]