Thanks for all the responses. Sorry I didn't have a chance to reply earlier.

Here's the explanation that was given to me. Drilling the disk does a number of things. Two of them have an effect on squealing. First, when the pad slides over the disk it starts the disk to vibrate which causes the squealing sound we here. When the disk is drilled it interrupts the surface enough to reduce the vibration harmonics, usually enough to stop the squeal. Second, the holes cause the pads to be cleaned every time they pass the pad, something Oklahoma_Mike brought up. As far as reducing the braking power is concerned, if an excessive number of holes are not drilled then the reduction will be minimal. The Savage brakes are good enough for this to be done without even noticing the difference.

Back to the original post - I stopped the squeek on the front brakes by putting white grease behind the pads (against the calipers).

I had bought pads, thinking I needed them, but the pads were still very thick.  I sanded them to break the glaze and greased 'em - on the metal side only.  Re-assembled and now only the rear brake squeeks.

bobo383 wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:06:


MY 87 rear brake does the same thing
8)