YACT - Brakes are squealing...

[overst33r]

I had my pads/shoes changed at Just Brakes about 6 months ago. The brakes squeal unbearably when braking. Most of the squealing is coming from the rear right drum. I noticed this about 3 months ago. I just figured it was part of the breaking in process. It's getting pretty annoying though...The only time they do not squeal is when I do a couple of hard braking runs...

I did sign a disclaimer last time I was there because I refused for them to change some parts that didn't need to be changed.

Does squealing of the brakes fall under something that can be fixed without an extra charge?

 

[illusion88]

Check the Rotors, I think worn out rotors cause the brakes to squeal.

 

[overst33r]

Originally posted by: illusion88
Check the Rotors, I think worn out rotors cause the brakes to squeal.

The car has about 92k on it, I believe it is the original rotors. Both the rotors and drums were resurfaced last time.

 

[Engineer]

I would guess either brakes have worn down or they have brake dust in behind them. You might flush it out with water or even brake cleaner (spray can) and see if that helps. You could also take them off, clean them and spray the brake lube (sticky spray or in a small tube) behind them to see if that helps.

 

[sniperruff]

my rear right brake squeals under mild braking too. however i think you only need to change your pads/rotors when they screech even when you're not braking, right?

 

[RichUK]

Mine squeal a little under hard braking and I?ve only just hit the 20k miles mark. I have discs all round BTW.

 

[FoBoT]

stop stepping on them

 

[Jahee]

Originally posted by: Engineer
I would guess either brakes have worn down or they have brake dust in behind them. You might flush it out with water or even brake cleaner (spray can) and see if that helps. You could also take them off, clean them and spray the brake lube (sticky spray or in a small tube) behind them to see if that helps.

Careful if you do this, some old brake pads use asbestos

 

[hardbench]

You might want to try getting some "brake squeal stopper" and spray it on there. I think the brake squeal stopper is like a paste or putty and it stops the harmonics from occurring that create the squealing noise.

 

[Pacfanweb]

Originally posted by: Jahee

Originally posted by: Engineer
I would guess either brakes have worn down or they have brake dust in behind them. You might flush it out with water or even brake cleaner (spray can) and see if that helps. You could also take them off, clean them and spray the brake lube (sticky spray or in a small tube) behind them to see if that helps.

Careful if you do this, some old brake pads use asbestos

Brakes haven't had asbestos in them for years and years. No new pads you buy today are asbestos.

To the OP: If I understand you correctly, the rotors and drums were machined as part of this brake job?

If so, then it might just be the pads or shoes.

I typically don't machine mine if there's not metal to metal contact. I don't get excessive grooving in my rotors, so there's really no need for machining.
So I installed some premium Raybestos pads on my Tahoe a few years back. The next day, they started sqealing like they were on the wear indicators.
I let it slide for a week to see if they'd break in. They didn't.
So I machined the rotors. They were quiet....until the next day. Sorry-ass pads.
Got some factory pads from the Chevy dealer, slapped them on with no machining, and never heard a noise again.

So again, it could well just be a crappy set of pads or shoes.

 

[overst33r]

Originally posted by: Pacfanweb

Originally posted by: Jahee

Originally posted by: Engineer
I would guess either brakes have worn down or they have brake dust in behind them. You might flush it out with water or even brake cleaner (spray can) and see if that helps. You could also take them off, clean them and spray the brake lube (sticky spray or in a small tube) behind them to see if that helps.

Careful if you do this, some old brake pads use asbestos

Brakes haven't had asbestos in them for years and years. No new pads you buy today are asbestos.

To the OP: If I understand you correctly, the rotors and drums were machined as part of this brake job?

If so, then it might just be the pads or shoes.

I typically don't machine mine if there's not metal to metal contact. I don't get excessive grooving in my rotors, so there's really no need for machining.
So I installed some premium Raybestos pads on my Tahoe a few years back. The next day, they started sqealing like they were on the wear indicators.
I let it slide for a week to see if they'd break in. They didn't.
So I machined the rotors. They were quiet....until the next day. Sorry-ass pads.
Got some factory pads from the Chevy dealer, slapped them on with no machining, and never heard a noise again.

So again, it could well just be a crappy set of pads or shoes.

Yeah, they probably put the cheapest ones on there they could find... Oh well, I'll change them when the pads are worn out.

 

[HiTek21]

Did they replace the Shims between the pads and the calipers? Usually the tabs that hold them on to the pads break off and so it gets tossed out. I usually replace the shims and put the brake quiet compound between the shim and pad.

 

[steppinthrax]

I've had new pads squeak too. This is normally based on the type of quality pad you use. If you use al-cheapo value craft pads or bottom of the barrell don't be surprised. If you use high quality pads they seat properly and don't squel at all. You need to see if they used shims and/or anti-squeel compound on the back of the pads. If they didn't that could be part of your problem. Anayway that is why I do all my car work myself. Much cheaper, It's your car and you get better work done.

 

[overst33r]

Originally posted by: steppinthrax
I've had new pads squeak too. This is normally based on the type of quality pad you use. If you use al-cheapo value craft pads or bottom of the barrell don't be surprised. If you use high quality pads they seat properly and don't squel at all. You need to see if they used shims and/or anti-squeel compound on the back of the pads. If they didn't that could be part of your problem. Anayway that is why I do all my car work myself. Much cheaper, It's your car and you get better work done.

I think they changed the shims, I would not be surprised if they did not though. I don't think they used any anti-squeal compound on.

I will definitely try to replace them myself next time, including the rotors and drums. I regret not doing it myself the first time. Live and learn...

 

[nweaver]

that anti squeal stuff is essential....

brakes are some of the easiest "do it yourself" jobs....except, it can also be really really bad if you screw up. I haven't had a brake job done on my cars since 1996. Of course, now my truck AND my car are both squealing when braking (the truck is REALLY bad)

 

[overst33r]

Originally posted by: nweaver
that anti squeal stuff is essential....

brakes are some of the easiest "do it yourself" jobs....except, it can also be really really bad if you screw up. I haven't had a brake job done on my cars since 1996. Of course, now my truck AND my car are both squealing when braking (the truck is REALLY bad)

I am skeptical on putting shoes on the drums. I was watching the mechanic do it last time and it looked pretty specialized tools wise and the whole mechanism with the springs and cylinders and such... Especially because he had to adjust it multiple times...

 

[Aikouka]

Originally posted by: Pacfanweb
Brakes haven't had asbestos in them for years and years. No new pads you buy today are asbestos.

A bit off-topic, but even with that fact, I found Dodge's old slogan "Eat My Brake Dust" (either My or Our, I can't remember) kind of amusing .

 

[Pacfanweb]

Originally posted by: nweaver
that anti squeal stuff is essential....

Maybe if you use aftermarket, cheap pads/shoes. I've never used it, and in the thousand or so brake jobs I've done, the only thing that caused a squeal was the pads or shoes, and no anti-squeal stuff is going to stop that.

 

[steppinthrax]

Originally posted by: Pacfanweb

Originally posted by: nweaver
that anti squeal stuff is essential....

Maybe if you use aftermarket, cheap pads/shoes. I've never used it, and in the thousand or so brake jobs I've done, the only thing that caused a squeal was the pads or shoes, and no anti-squeal stuff is going to stop that.

You can go to Autozone and spend 14.00 on a pair of cheap a55 valucraft front brake pads. They carry lifetime warranties so interestenly every time they wear out I just bring the blanks back to autozone and I get new ones. They squeak though. At least every time they wear a bit or when it rains and the surfaces change. But they are good on something like my saturn. Not on a faimly car.