Brake Problems
 

Hello, I'm new to the bonneville forum. This site is awesome. I already posted this under the mechanical board but I figured that I would paste it here too since my car is a 93 SE. I hope someone has some insight into my brake problems. Thanks


I currently own a 93 bonneville SE and have had substantial problems with the brake system. I have had all of the brake work done at the dealer so I am fairly sure that the work was done correctly. I have actually lost the brakes on the cars twice due to faulty, leaking wheel cylinders. My question now is actually about squealing front braks. I have had problems with the front brakes squealing all of the time and figured that it would be taken care of when I had my next brake job. Just this past week, I had new front rotors and pads put on, and new back pads. The brakes sounded fine for about 2 days (not that much mileage), and have already started squealing again. I have sprayed out the wheels to remove any brake dust. It is a very high pitched squeal that is somewhat annoying. It only squeals when I am coming to a stop or applying the brakes at lower speeds. Not at speeds around 40 - 50 mph. Does anyone have any experience with a problem like this or any suggestions? The last 2 brake jobs I had done on it also started squealing very soon after I had them done, but this time I took it to a different dealer and still had the same problem. I go through front brakes like crazy on this car and do not think that it is entirely due to my driving style. I appreciate any insight into this problem. Thank you


Jim

Can you tell us more? What rotors are you running, and what kind of pads? This is pretty much what it's going to boil down to.

not exactly sure what your problem might be...but i just replaced my front pads...before i replaced them, they squealed exactly as you have described. there is an "L" shaped piece of metal that is attached to the pads that is supposed to come into contact with the rotor when the pads are worn...this makes the squealing noise. if your pads were installed incorrectly...then this might explain the prob. also, i noticed that when i reinstalled the caliper, i failed to push it all the way towards the engine (sliding it on it's caliper mounting bolts/sliders). it's an easy mistake to make and failure to correct it can result in your rim actually rubbing the caliper...could you back this up will?, not sure if i'm helping...but just some f.y.i?

My grandmother was having a similar problem on her 89 SSE a few years back. it turned out the dealership wasn't using brake grease on the sliders on the calipers, so they were sticking and wearing the brake pads down everyother month. they were just using regular grease. hope it helps

I had hoped that the dealer was doing the work correctly but I guess that I cannot be sure. :? This is the second dealer that I have had brake work done at and still having the same problem. I am just running the OEM rotors and pads (just the dealer standard equipment). This time I had the rotors replaced, but every time before at the first dealer, they cut the rotors. Now that you mention it, the one time I took it back to the dealer shortly after the brake job to have it looked at since it was squealing so bad and I heard the one mechanic ask the other if he had cut the rotors on the job because the rotors were already glazed. The one mechanic said that he had, but I guess that he would not have admitted his fault right there anyways. I think I am going to take it back to this dealer and have them look at it again.

I would do this work myself but I do not know that much about working on cars and am afraid to mess with the brake system since I have already had several problems with it.

Thanks again for the suggestions! 8)

concerning the brake grease on the sliders....this is a biggie. if your sliders aren't properly greased, you're done. when i did my brakes, i cleaned them off throroughly with a solvent, and then completely regreased them, (white silicon-based grease) as well as applying a liberal amount of "no-squeal" compound (made specifically for brakes) to the backs of the entire pads...and the upper/lower caliper knuckle...neglecting any of these parts could cause brake issues and squealing. i haven't had a single noise or problem with my new brakes and i have been driving them hard for a week now. you might have a lazy mechanic. :roll: