Getting ready to do brakes, need a little info. First, I've seen many posts about putting sound deadening material on the pads. Never done this before, which product do you guys use and where exactly? Just on the entire rear surface of the pads? Second, I'm considering going to ceramic pads, in which case is this still necessary?

 

I recently did the brakes on my 98. It's about the same as brake work on any other vehicle. My brakes were extremely 'squealy' (new word) before I changed them. Normally I would have bought Napa or other parts store brakes, but as you know, noise seems to be a problem with L/R brakes. I took the advice of forum members and bought brake pads from Rover parts.com. They came with built-in anti-squeal backing on the pads and ya don't need to use the goo. No problems so far. If ya want to use the brake anti-squeal compound, Napa and other parts stores sell it. It's like RTV sealer and ya just spread it on the pads and let sit for a few min. I'd go with better pads.

As far as ceramics go. I think it depends if your vehicle was designed to use ceramic pads originally. I put a set in my Caddilac which uses semi-metalics and don't like them. It requires noticably more pedal pressure to stop. I mean, the braking just isn't as good. Rotors are good. At the time, I bought another set for my other daily-driver Cadillac because I was so excited aboutthem and reduced brake dust. I scrapped that idea and decided I'd rather have better braking and live with the brake dust. I'm going to take them out of the first Caddy and putSemi-metallics back in. I have a buddy that told me the same thing about doing it with his Audi before I put them in my car. I didn't go with his suggestion, wish I would have. I couldda saved myself $60. I think ya need to have a system that is designed for Ceramics. I haven't tried them with my L/R, but thought I'd relate my experience. Perhaps others here have direct L/Rexperience.

 

I went with the regular Autozone pads and they squaled and threw dust like heck. I switched to ceramics and no dust. It stops just as well, and even better under repeated conditions. Just make sure and use the deadning material. I used 3 coats on the ceramics. Haven't heard a peep for 20K now.