Solution to the SRT8 brake dust, rotor scoring, and squealing problem

[DZeckhausen]

What tools do you need to change pads on an SRT8? Not very many!





You will need the following tools:

• Floor Jack
• Pieces of wood or ramps to raise car enough to fit floor jack underneath
• Torque Wrench
• 21mm Socket
• Socket Extender
• Impact Wrench
• Center Punch
• Hammer
• Pad Spreading Tool
• Bucket & sponge to wash brake dust off wheels!

[DZeckhausen]

I took the car out for a brake bedding session. The pads had surprisingly good initial bite, considering they didn't match up with the deep grooves in my rotors. After a few miles, it felt almost like the stock pads. Then I reached my bedding zone and did about 8 runs to 60mph, with threshold braking (just shy of ABS) back to 10mph and then back up to 60mph. After the eighth run, the friction level fell off noticably, so I decided I was done and proceeded with a 10 minute cool down cruise. When the brakes cooled off, bite was just as good as the stock pads. Frankly I'm surprised. Considering how much dust the stock pads put out and how aggressively they attacked the rotors, I expected these CTek pads to have much less bite. So far, I'm very pleased.

No noticable brake dust on the wheels thus far. And the slight squealing my stock pads had started making in the last couple of weeks is now completely gone.

I'll try to put some miles on the car this next week and post back my observations. I have an autocross scheduled for tomorrow, but considering it's with the NJ BMW Club, I'll probably bring the BMW.

[1bad4dr]

Originally Posted by DZeckhausen

Is this brake "fix" targeted at all three problems (dust, rotor scoring, and noise) or is it just for the squealing?

For sure Scoring and squeel. Maybe dust.

[1bad4dr]

Originally Posted by ResumeSpeed

Just a hunch, but I'm sure that whatever they come up with there will be some sort of warranty "limitations/exclusions/restrictions" based on mileage, "severity" etc. and that they will not just replace everyones rotors and pads.

I can not speak on DCX's behalf, but as far as my dealer and I are concerned, they will replace my rotors (They have already turned them once) and pads once the new fix is available in June.

I would think that DCX would do the right thing and do a total recall on our great rides and replace the rotors and pads under warranty. After all, it was their fault on this issue, not ours. IMO.

[Northern Rider]

Great "How-To" write up from our resident Brake expert, Dave Z.

5 Stars!

The technical contributions from the members here continue to be an invaluable resource for all the members and guests at 300Cforums.

[Dan SS2471]

Originally Posted by DZeckhausen

I took the car out for a brake bedding session. The pads had surprisingly good initial bite, considering they didn't match up with the deep grooves in my rotors. After a few miles, it felt almost like the stock pads. Then I reached my bedding zone and did about 8 runs to 60mph, with threshold braking (just shy of ABS) back to 10mph and then back up to 60mph. After the eighth run, the friction level fell off noticably, so I decided I was done and proceeded with a 10 minute cool down cruise. When the brakes cooled off, bite was just as good as the stock pads. Frankly I'm surprised. Considering how much dust the stock pads put out and how aggressively they attacked the rotors, I expected these CTek pads to have much less bite. So far, I'm very pleased.

No noticable brake dust on the wheels thus far. And the slight squealing my stock pads had started making in the last couple of weeks is now completely gone.

I'll try to put some miles on the car this next week and post back my observations. I have an autocross scheduled for tomorrow, but considering it's with the NJ BMW Club, I'll probably bring the BMW.

Excellent news. Looking forward to the longer term report.

Oh yeah...I hope you didn't do the bedding on RT. 22.

[1bad4dr]

Originally Posted by DZeckhausen

I took the car out for a brake bedding session. The pads had surprisingly good initial bite, considering they didn't match up with the deep grooves in my rotors. After a few miles, it felt almost like the stock pads. Then I reached my bedding zone and did about 8 runs to 60mph, with threshold braking (just shy of ABS) back to 10mph and then back up to 60mph. After the eighth run, the friction level fell off noticably, so I decided I was done and proceeded with a 10 minute cool down cruise. When the brakes cooled off, bite was just as good as the stock pads. Frankly I'm surprised. Considering how much dust the stock pads put out and how aggressively they attacked the rotors, I expected these CTek pads to have much less bite. So far, I'm very pleased.

No noticable brake dust on the wheels thus far. And the slight squealing my stock pads had started making in the last couple of weeks is now completely gone.

I'll try to put some miles on the car this next week and post back my observations. I have an autocross scheduled for tomorrow, but considering it's with the NJ BMW Club, I'll probably bring the BMW.

Despite my original post about waiting for DCX and Brembo's solution in June, I am very impressed with your narration and instructions on replacing the pads and how they perform.

I can say that if the DCX fix is not satisfying to my needs, I will definately refer back to you on these pads. Thank you so very much for offering what you have discovered in the way of resolving the scoring, dust, and squeeling issues that we all seem to be experiencing.

I to have just recently have been hearing a slight squeel in my brakes... 10,000+ miles now it is the first I have heard the squeeling. Damn enoying!

Thanks again.

[Dood]

Dave, absolutley killer write up! What a pro! Any idea what the retail cost of these pads will be when they hit the market?

Originally Posted by DZeckhausen

I'm pretty sure I have found a solution to this problem. Aftermarket brake pads are arriving today (Saturday) by noon and I'm going to install and test them. If this works, there's an intial batch of five more sets of pads available and then a month or two delay before more are manufactured.

More details, photos, reviews as I go along. Stay tuned!

[teeitup]

Thanks Dave for the time spent. We all appreciate your efforts and concern.

Teeitup

[SRT8C]

excellent writeup. always with brakes i took my previous cars to the dealership. I just couldnt trust myself to do a correct safe job. but with this writeup I will be changing my own SRT8 brakes.
Let us know after a few days of driving how the dust builds up if any.

DZ any info on prices??

thanks for the excellent write up