I just replaced the brake pads on my 997 GT3 with standard brakes using Porterfield race pads for track use. The pads have worked great but I now have a horrible squealing noise in driving around town. When I replaced the pads, I left the backing plates that came with the stock brake pads between the pistons and the metal back of the new brake pads. I wondered if this could be what was making such a horrible racket. I removed them and they still squeel. Two questions:
1. I realize that true race pads may be more prone to squeeling, but does anyone have a suggestion to reduce the noise?
2. The thin baking plates that came with the stock pads-should they be left in place or eliminated with the new pads?

 

i test drove a 2007 GT3 for the day a little while ago and it had 16,000 miles, but just had all new brakes put on all around. They sqeeked when you drove around town "normally", but when you drove harder and braked more aggressively they never sqeeked at all.

When discussing it with the dealer was told - they would sqeek no matter what when braking lightly or normally. T

That is my non technical answer to your technical question - hope it helps!!

 

1. I use the R4's also and love them, but there's not much you can do to reduce squealing of a true track pad when using them on the street because you can't get enough heat in them to work properly. I would suggest just buying another set of inexpensive street pads and installing after your track days, as it's pretty easy to switch pads with your calipers. That's what I do, and it works really well, plus, you maximize the useage from your track pads this way, and don't have to worry about the squeeling noise around town. For the street, I use very mild, low dusting ceramic compound which also ensures low rotor wear while on the street. No sense in using a highly aggressive pad on the street.

2. You can use them, it won't hurt anything. Alot of time though, its hard to fit backing plates with brand new pads. Once the pads wear down some, you can slap them back in. They come in handy once your pads where down and the heat x-fer becomes more pronounced.

 

BTW - kudos for using the R4's....I'm constantly amazed by how few people use these pads. They are fantastic pads, wear rate is low, easy on rotors, nice linear bite, AND half the price of expensive Pagids for the same or better performance.

Even better, if you have a NASA membership, you get an additional 20% discount when you order them directly from Porterfield.

Every GT3 owner should be using these pads, especially at these prices.

 

i reused the backing plates when i switched out my stock pads to RS29. then immediately bedded them. squeaks sometimes but not loud. i mean hardly squeaks at all. squeaks at lot less than when car was new with new stock pads.