I have fairly new brake pads, about 4 months old. I checked and they are still good. Now I have a squeaking noise when I put on the brakes and also, there is a lot of brake dust all over the pads, tires, etc. What is the cause and what should I do to fix this? Thanks for any suggestion.
I have had this problem with high performance brakes. Shims or not they will still sometimes squeal especially when backing up. Answer, remove the pads, lube the back of the pad with brake grease, place a piece of duct tape on the back of the pad and reinstall, no more squeal. I am not sure how long it will last but I have had some very fast cars run many hard miles braking at top speed without a sound. I have done the same with my Lexus and Merc's with positive results.
My husband is a retired master mechanic and he said that your back brakes are not holding and just your front ones are. He said evidently your wheel cylinders are possibly bad. He said to put on new brake shoes and new wheel cylinders. Hope that helps you.
Did all of the brakes get to be replaced? Or just the fronts or rears? I would check the brakes that weren't replaced first. Was a compound used between the new pads and caliper used to quiet the brakes? If not just pull the pads and spread of bit of pad quiet where the pad it is pushed by the caliper.
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Request: Squeaky Brakes
Archived on 06/01/2009
My brakes squeak when I am backing up. The ones that are squeaking are the front pads, how can I fix this?
Freddie from Luquillo, Puerto Rico
Feedback:
RE: Squeaky Brakes
Get some Squeal Medic (or a similar product) and spray it on rotors and pads. I did and haven't had a "peep" out of mine since. (12/10/2008)
By Michael
RE: Squeaky Brakes
(Submitted via email)
I usually go to the car wash and spray my wheels off after getting new brakes if they start squeaking. It sometimes gathers dust.
Ethan (01/17/2009)
I picked up my 2007 Caliber this morning and as soon as I got home the brakes started squeaking quite loud. This really makes no sense to me because they were okay during my test drive and on my way home.
They started squeaking later in the day after driving through a patch of snow. Is that normal? Does than mean the brakes are bad? Please help.
Beata
Answers:
RE: Squeaky Brakes
If, by chance, they are the original brake pads, it is probably a normal sound. GM uses semi-metallic brake pads in their cars. Which means, the pads have a very high metal content. The pro is the pads wear very well, the con is they are very noisy. If the pads were wet/damp/moist, they will make noise then also. As others have said, have them checked to be sure. I worked for a GM dealer and this is something I saw several times a week. (04/01/2008)
The brakes come with a protective varnish on them to stop them from rusting while they sit on the shelf. It takes a few weeks for this to rub off from use. Once it does, it won't squeak anymore. It was most likely from the brakes getting moisture on them from the snow. (04/02/2008)
By denise w
RE: Squeaky Brakes
Almost all brake squeals in disc brakes comes from brake pad vibration against the caliper. To stop this, the friction clips and the areas of the pad that make contact with the caliper need to be thoroughly cleaned and degreased with brake parts cleaner and lubricated with dielectric grease, caliper lube, or anti seize compound (Any of them will work). Brakes don't squeal because of the pad coming in contact with the rotor unless the rotor is just totally shot and wore out with lots of glaze on it. (07/27/2008)
I got new brakes on my car but now they are starting to squeak when I come to a stop. Has anyone else had this problem? If so, what did you do?
D from michigan
Answers:
RE: Squeaky Brakes
Take it right back to the mechanic for adjustment!
They should fix it for free.
Peach (08/26/2005)
By Peachhead
RE: Squeaky Brakes
I heard something like this on a radio call in show the other day and my husband, who is a mechanic, also said it isn't' unusual for new brakes to squeal. It has something to do with the material they use to make the replacement pads. Talk to your mechanic for sure, but I don't think it's an unusual happening. (08/26/2005)
By Mary
RE: Squeaky Brakes
It could just be brake dust. It could be the shape of the brakes conforming to the shape of the drum/whatever. You could try "burnishing" the brakes as follows:
Find a place somewhere isolated (highway, perhaps) to get up to at least 50 mph. Now that you are at 50, step hard on the brakes until you stop. Do this five times over and the squeakage should be better.
My mechanic told me to do this after my new brakes began to squeak. He also told me to NOT do this when my kids were in the car! LOL!
Good luck. (08/26/2005)
Use carbon metallic pads. You get a lube to put on the outside of pad for them not to squeak. (03/29/2006)
By Ryan
RE: Squeaky Brakes
Pressure wash your wheels to remove the brake dust from the calipers might work. From my experience the Squeak happens in new or old pads when the dust accumulates or poor material makes the friction surface shiny gloss. Sanding the pads to make them rough again might also work. (09/20/2006)
By kabatza
RE: Squeaky Brakes
There's a few things that can cause squeaky brakes and several things to do and not do to get the best from your stock brakes.
DON'T: lube or grease any braking surfaces or use a pressure washer to clean the crud from brakes because this crud can and will be forced into seals and can result in failure and greater problems and expense in the future.
DO: Carefully put your car on axle stands, remove wheels and dismantle brakes. Thoroughly clean and check all parts and on reassembly, grease slide pins well so caliper is free to move. Apply copper grease to back of brake pad to stop any high frequency vibration resulting in squeal and bleed the entire brake lines. Be prepared to use a minimum of 500ml on a standard car. Brake fluid absorbs moisture and moisture is compressible due to gas molecules. Hydraulic fluid is not. Bleeding will replace contaminated fluid and relieve the spongy feeling on tired brakes. Dot 4 or 5 is best as this has the greatest resistance to moisture absorption. Rotors should be replaced if they are poorly worn or badly grooved. Both sides should be done simultaneously.
Finally, once you are familiar with procedures and the theory behind hydraulic disc brakes, read your specific manual carefully. It is also advisable to torque load all brake fasteners but the majority of mechanics will not do this to save time and effort.
IF YOUR GOING TO DO IT, DO IT ONCE AND DO IT RIGHT! (02/07/2007)
By freebird
RE: Squeaky Brakes
If you had low end breaks put in the pad on the new breaks might be harder (made of a cheaper material). This will cause more friction with the rotor. If they are working, I would put up this noise for a little while. It will get better as your new pads get worn in. I have had the same problem with the cheaper pads I put on my car. I would also suggest slamming on your breaks at bout 30 to 40 mph to help speed up the process. This will not hurt your car at all, but try to do it in a safe area. (08/11/2007)
