2000 Mercury Cougar really bad brake squeal/screech

2000 MERCURY COUGAR
85,000 MILES • 6 CYL • FWD • MANUAL
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TYLERMAX
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I have a 2000 mercury cougar that I have just recently changed the pads and rotors on in the past five months. I put aftermarket cross-drilled and slotted rotors on it, along with some semi-metallic brakes I picked up from a local parts store. Since it's gotten warmer outside I have started riding with my windows down, and have noticed a horrible brake squea, which is actually more like a screechl. I mean... there is brake squeal, and then there is this...LOL. It almost sounds like metal on metal. I check all four pads and rotors, everything looks good. I put some brake disc quiet on the back side of the pads, and still I get the squeal. The noise sounds like it's definitely coming from the front brakes. I am convinced the noise is simply from when the pad hits the rotors, so my question is, could it more likely be the semi-metallic pad or the new rotors that is causing the awful screech when I apply the brakes? I was thinking about buying new ceramic pads for the front before I replace the rotors, to see if that works. What do you think? Have you guys ever heard of people getting this problem with either the semi-metallic pads or the cross-drilled/slotted rotors? I don't want to change out the rotors if I don't have to, because they were expensive and they look really cool..., I am hoping it's those darn semi-metallic pads... thanks.
Apr 28, 2008 at 9:18 AM
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BUZZSAW
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[quote:7f2748fa16="tylermax"]Brakes problem
2000 Mercury Cougar 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Manual 85000 miles
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I have a 2000 mercury cougar that I have just recently changed the pads and rotors on in the past five months. I put aftermarket cross-drilled and slotted rotors on it, along with some semi-metallic brakes I picked up from a local parts store. Since it's gotten warmer outside I have started riding with my windows down, and have noticed a horrible brake squea, which is actually more like a screechl. I mean... there is brake squeal, and then there is this...LOL. It almost sounds like metal on metal. I check all four pads and rotors, everything looks good. I put some brake disc quiet on the back side of the pads, and still I get the squeal. The noise sounds like it's definitely coming from the front brakes. I am convinced the noise is simply from when the pad hits the rotors, so my question is, could it more likely be the semi-metallic pad or the new rotors that is causing the awful screech when I apply the brakes? I was thinking about buying new ceramic pads for the front before I replace the rotors, to see if that works. What do you think? Have you guys ever heard of people getting this problem with either the semi-metallic pads or the cross-drilled/slotted rotors? I don't want to change out the rotors if I don't have to, because they were expensive and they look really cool..., I am hoping it's those darn semi-metallic pads... thanks.[/quote:7f2748fa16]

brake squeek comes from dust and loose pads in the caliper or you need to grease the back of the brake pads with brake grease or silicone paste ( its a grease also that doesnt wash out ), if you can get the nozzle from the car wash into the caliper area and spray it, could help.
Apr 28, 2008 at 9:41 AM
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MERLIN2021
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Might want to also make sure all hardware was put back on! Anti-rattle clips especially. I use ceramic pads with some anti sieze compound on the back of the pads on my Fords and don't have this problem...
Apr 28, 2008 at 2:26 PM
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TYLERMAX
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i switched to ceramic pads on the front... got rid of those semi-metallic crappy pads. did the trick! much better stopping power, and you can hear a pin drop! no noise whatsoever!
May 7, 2008 at 3:05 PM