Squealing brakes

[Brandy]

Hi All - I know that this topic has definitely been discussed, I just can't find any references.

I have a '70 240Z, 4 spd, still going through the entire car fixing all the stuff the PO 'customized' (as in the front and rear wiring harnesses, but that's a topic for another section of this site). For a car that I found out after the fact had spent the past 15 years being started up only occasionally, it drives well (thanks to patient me, a great carb remanufacturer in FL, and lots of duct tape), but the brakes are LOUD, no matter the speed, nor how long or short the drive (the brakes work, thankfully). It's actually kind of embarrassing. The brakes are 'supposedly' new (as per PO), but I need to know if anyone has photos of what the brakes should look like with the wheels off. Not trusting any mechanic within a 200 mile radius, and not having a garage, but rather a carport to do the work, I will need to pull tires and look at what is presently unknown territory to me, and to do so quickly.

From past threads, here and on other sites, squealing tends to happen if pins adn/or shims aren't replaced with brakes, and so forth. And I was wondering if the noise could be because of the size of the tires (13s on dealer-optioned rims) or way the tires 'look' on the car - they lean outward (bottom further 'out'), but there is no uneven wear on the tires and the car doesn't drift if I let go of the steering wheel.

Sorry for the admitedly 'duh!' naive questions, but I'm not mechanically inclined (yet) and I wish I could be more specific.

Any advice or input would be greatly appreciated.

[Gav240z]

Ok well first thing to check is the metal shims that should go between the brake pistons surface and the brake pad it might be a little hard to see but check those anti-squeal shims first. If they are missing because some num nut was lazy that would be one place to look.

The other problem could be the pads are too hard or the rotors(discs) are warped or scored. You can feel the rotor and spin it around as you do to feel for highly uneven wear patterns although if they are a bit old it is normal for some high low levels.

Also with new brakes they have a tendancy to squeal as a normal thing that happens while they bed-in. So don't dispare just yet take a look with the wheel off and get back to us.

Gavin.

[Gav240z]

btw took a look at car domain that's a nice looking 240z and an early 1. I like the decal down the side I've been wanting to get the same for my Z in white .

[Brandy]

Thanks. I think the decals can still be found in MSA sports, but I'm going to have to re-do the photo. I'm not sure if I'll replace the decals after I get the car repainted (paints looks beautiful in the photo, but up close it looks as if it came out of a giant bottle of nail polish, with glops as proof). Took the car last week to the local PepBoys to see if it indeed needed a wheel alignment, but after making me wait for 2 hours to tell me that they couldn't do the alignment since they didn't have 'the conversion numbers' (this after I told them it was a Datsun-look-under-Nissan), and they somehow cracked the entire airdam getting it on the lift.

Hence my adversion to the local shops...

But as for the loud brakes, that, along with insulation and the wiring and some things that are missing in the engine compartment (hoses and stuff, which the FSM doesn't elaborate), are pretty much the last major things before I can finally think I can take a break....for now......

[Chino 240Z]

If your shims are missing you can get a set at MSA for about $18-19.00, they have some more hardware with them too. I just ordered a set this week should have them today UPS. Also some of that brake quite grease with the shims should be good too.