My new-to-me 2007 V8V is squealing like a banshee. The car spent its previous life in Florida, so it's now seeing cold for the first time, which may be contributing (it's been in the 30s-40s in Chicago).

I know brake squealing a common problem on these cars, and that a service bulletin recommends shims. However, I don't have records showing they've been installed on my car. Looking at the brake pads, though, I think I see shims, but I'm not entirely certain what I'm looking for. Is the thin metal plate on this picture below a shim (see arrows)?




I've tried braking hard, which may have helped a bit. However, given my urban driving, I haven't been able to really speed up and do a panic stop in order to remove the glazing. I'll have to find somewhere to do that this weekend.

 

The shim in the service bulletin is a fiber shim that goes on top of the steel shim that you are showing. I have done the service bulletin and changed pads twice but still have some squealing from the rear with light peddle pressure. Good luck.

 

Thanks. That's helpful.

 

Service bulletin attached to help you determine what you have.

 

Great, thanks.

 

I had my pads "fixed by dealer back in 2007 when I first took delivery - no issues after. Then when pads needed to be replaced, went with after market pads that work too ... as in no squeal and minimal dust ... I have StopTech as an example(there are certainly others). I do not have the brake sensors attached ... about the only down side to my pads.

 

I'll probably go that route as well when the pads need changing, as the brake dust is considerable. Right now, the pads look like they have a lot of life left on them. Having said that, it probably wouldn't cost a whole lot more to have the pads replaced than to have shims installed.