DavidV wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:06:Somebody here mentioned greasing the back side of the pads to stop the squeal. I've also heard of using duct tape, and seen what looked like thick aluminum tape provided with new pads.
Here's an SBS item that looks like the right stuff. It's at DennisKirk.com under part # 191268. For eight bucks it's worth a shot.
You mean using some brake squeal grease. That helps by absorbing vibration, but the biggest thing is that brake squeal is caused by unequal contact of the brake pads with the rotor. The common causes are....dirt, oil and grease on the rotor, glazed pads, or an uncentered caliper (as WD mentions).
As Rob mentions, a few hard stops with the front brake will sometimes help to recenter the caliper on the rotor. Clamping down tightly is an effort to try to move the cailper on those sliding pins.
Start by cleaning the rotor with a non-oily solvent. If that doesn't help, pull the caliper off, clean it, lightly grease the pins, sand any glaze off the pads, and apply anti-squeal grease to the backsides. Reassemble.
If you do any or all of the above, you should have no more squeal.