Front noise problem

[Lexbll]

Good morning, i have a ford fiesta mk7 1.25 82hp 2009, I bought it in September 2025 used with 25,000 miles, it did very few miles a year, I proceeded to do the routine maintenance and replaced the braking system with Brembo Xtra discs and Brembo pads, after about 1,500/2,000 miles I noticed that it was making more and more noise in the front area, I took it to several mechanics but I never solved it, I hypothesized it was the pins of the caliper support, I greased them and it improved a bit but it comes back, I suspect that it is the pads (as if they were slightly smaller and moved, in fact if I brake the noise does not), as a second problem these pads whistle, I tried to clean everything and put copper grease but it does not change, will the pads need to be changed with another brand?

Thanks everyone for the replies

 

[Handy Andy]

Many newer pads come with their "anti-Sueal" shims, but they don't always seem to be the correct fitment - causing a squeal due to their Hot-to-cool-to-hot cycles shift the pads on the rotors and even the linings of the drums if that applies to your vehicle here.

Did you happen to compare sizing of the OEM parts or Pads you did have, to the new ones before the install? Sometimes the previous pads clip-holders would work for another session or season to help with this noise.

You didn't mention if you resurfaced (Machined) the Rotors and Drums, so don't know if the sizing issue is the true fault here.Because the pads and the Rotors at the same time - you may find slack; as in being able to rotate the rotor or even have to use a lug-nut to keep the Rotor on, or worse - the press-on effect of age can affect the hub/knuckle to rotor heat transfer and generate hot-spotting that warps the mess sooner than later - forcing you to replace them due to that warp needs machining beyond tolerance.

The Best way would be to check for fitment and that precaution would have provided clues in what to do, return them, or grind off material on the brackets and hope like Hades they fit and you won't have to remove them for the rest of the vehicles service life. Sticking with similar brand or sizing is needed to maintain the OEM performance - does not mean you have to buy Ford all the time, but if you do this in the first place - this may have cured this problem without having to take everything apart and redo with new.

 

[Lexbll]

Hi, thanks for the reply.
I bought the car, but since it had been sitting in the garage for a while, I thought I'd replace both the discs and pads. I think the discs were original Ford ones, and the pads were Textar.
However, according to the specifications, both the originals and the Brembo ones are the same size. Comparing them to the old ones, they look the same to me. Maybe they really are the anti-Sueal ones. I could buy new ones and try, at least to eliminate this annoying noise.
If not, I could get a pad and shim kit, so maybe I can also get rid of the whistling problem when I brake.

 

[Handy Andy]

Thanks for not getting too upset over my post. I tend to come across at times a little too touchy on certain subjects, Brakes are one of them. Never enjoyed warped rotors nor having to repair and or replace for a second time what is there to keep going with what little life the car may have left in it. Seems that some shops are parts stores are trying to sell (READ: PUSH) a specific brand or set of items and kits for more-$$$ in the pocket than for their claim to be a better benefit.

When it comes to squealing - there are products out there that are for different applications but seem to work just fine in the other positions that their materials can provide a means by their acting proprieties, help with.

Part of the problem with using anti-seizing compounds is their ability to stick onto the media their used on. Mostly due to the environment of rain, snow, heat and dirt - affect how they can even stay (adhere) to the surfaces and do any good.

In the USA many of the pads come as kits with clips and the pads so all you have to do is discard the old stuff and apply the new. But the caveat here is the ability to reduce noise than make more of it.

I've found NAPA (again a USA product) Thread Sealing Compound with Teflon - might work as an anti-squeal medium as for it contains Teflon, as well as uses a Thread Sealant that helps the metals by adhering to their surfaces and seems to handle heat quite well. Once applied and allowed to dry (it's like RTV caulk) it can reduce noise so even the ultrasonic spectrum of these vibrations in the pads is reduced so that even Dogs can't hear or be bothered with noise when you apply your brakes. Disassembly is pretty easy and it also cleans up easy enough but you do have to maintain it - like when you rotate your tires or change tires from summer to winter - inspecting/refreshing the coatings can help keep the linings and pads-and their clips, on the rotors from gathering rust and dust longer and keep them it better shape - to me this means increasing their service life but that's an opinion - and you know how people tend to treat those nowadays.