So my brakes are squealing like stuck pigs off an on.

I'm going to change the pads (PBR's suck, so much dust), probably with Hawk's. My rotors only have 3k on them.

I'm also going to put dampers in, the PO had removed them at some point.

In the WSM is states that some early 87's for US, Canada and Australia still had the smaller pistons up front, carried over from 86.5.

My car is an early 87, #727 for the year. So I'm thinking it will need the 42mm as opposed to the 44 mm for the later S4's

So that's
928-351-096-019 36 mm x 4
928-351-096-018 42 mm x 4

If anyone with an Early 87 can confirm this it would save me taking the brakes apart first. And since me knee is currently immobilized, taking the brakes apart now would be hard.

 

Adam,

According to PET the 42/36mm calipers were used through the '88 model run. I know our (early) '88 had the 42/36 calipers. So yes, I am 87% sure those part#'s are correct for your car.

That said, two thoughts: I have a set of 44/36 damper's which I will never use, you are welcome to them for the postage. Use the 36's, buy a set of .18's (42mm), use whichever fits and offer the others onward.

Or, just forget about them. The reason I'll never use them is that with decent street pads, properly installed and bedded, you don't need the dampers. And life is simpler without them.

Here's what works for me: When installing pads, put a very light coating of hi-temp copper anti-seize (000 043 004 00) on the back of the pad where it contacts the pistons, and along the edges (of the steel backing plate) where it contacts the caliper.

Then initially, and whenever they squeak, bed them with a series of half a dozen hard stops from 60 to 10-20 mph (on a lonely road) to get things hot and transfer some pad material to the rotor. (Don't come to a complete stop until the brakes have cooled). Try this first with your PBR's, it worked for us.

For more details see this article: http://www.essexparts.com/learning-center/cat/brake-pads/post/Bed-in
or this one: http://www.stoptech.com/technical-support/technical-white-papers/bed-in-theory-definitions-and-procedures/stock-brake-system-bed-in

I would also suggest different pads. PBR's are good pads and attractively priced, but they are fairly low-temp pads. That means they work well even on a chilly morning, but they can be over-heated pretty easily on twisty roads. When that happens you get uneven pad deposits with "judder" on braking, and then uneven rotor wear which makes it worse (and permanent).

When we had that trouble Jeff (Speedtoys) recommended Porterfield R4S pads, still a street pad but optimized for higher temperatures and very nicely behaved. They don't squeal (when at least minimally bedded), stop fine when cold and aggressively when warmed up, and will take quite a bit of punishment without complaint. There is some dust but less than PBR's, and the dust is not corrosive-- cleans up easily without staining. And they seem pretty easy on the rotors.

Porterfield's website is http://www.porterfield-brakes.com/, you can order online or just call them, very friendly folks.
No affiliation, just a happy customer.

 

Jim,
If Adam does not take the deal I would like the offer if I may.
Thomas

 

Thanks Jim, I will take your generous offer. And likely buy new pads as well. I will pm you my address and can pay the postage anyway that works.

Cheers

Adam

 

Damper's received thanks Jim. And my new Hawk HPS street pads arrived from Roger.

If the 44's don't fit I will pay them forward. Thanks again.

Going to look at the brakes tomorrow.

 

Hey Thomas, if I can't use the 44's they are yours.

Adam