Brakes squeak after changing pads and rotors
#1
Brakes squeak after changing pads and rotors
About 2 month ago or so I started hearing the familiar squeaking of worn out brake pads in my 2004 buick lesabre limited and decided it was about that time, I knew I needed new rotors too since it would wobble every time I hit the brakes but couldn't afford both at the time so I started with the pads, put new pads in from ACDelco and the squeaking was gone, fat forward to just recently Igot new rotors also from ac delco and installed those, now everytime I press the brake theres an awful squeaking coming from the brakes, Im not sure whats going on, I took them back off and inspected everything and re installed them both, re-greased the caliper pins and used a torque wrench to tighten everything to spec, still the squeaking remains
It seems to not happen as Im first driving out, but maybe a few minutes into driving I start to hear the squeaking as I brake, it seems to be a bit more prominent in the drivers side than the passenger side (this maybe cause I can hear the drivers side better) and it seems to be worse when the wheels turned, Im noticing on the outer rim of the rotor theres a fine line maybe about 1/4 to 1/2 an inch where somethings rubbing, my only guess that its maybe something with the shims, but I cant figure it out
Any ideas?
It seems to not happen as Im first driving out, but maybe a few minutes into driving I start to hear the squeaking as I brake, it seems to be a bit more prominent in the drivers side than the passenger side (this maybe cause I can hear the drivers side better) and it seems to be worse when the wheels turned, Im noticing on the outer rim of the rotor theres a fine line maybe about 1/4 to 1/2 an inch where somethings rubbing, my only guess that its maybe something with the shims, but I cant figure it out
Any ideas?
#2
Senior Member
When I was at the dealer we had a lot of squeaking issues with the Delco pads. We would try using disk brake quiet on the back of the pads but sometimes that wouldn't make the squeak go away so we would replace them with the factory pads witch were way more expensive. The squeak is caused from high metallic content in the pads. I would also check the rear pads as well, the inner pad usually wears faster then the outer pads and the inner pad has the wear indicator on it.
#3
So maybe i need pads made of a different material? what i find unusual is the pads did not squeak the 2 months after they were replaced, it wasnt until i installed the rotors did i start hearing the squeaking, the only good thing is that the car doesnt wobble when braking anymore, it brakes so smoothly, but that squeak!
#4
Retired
The old rotors probably had grooves in them and then cut new grooves in the pads. When the new pads hit the new rotors, tis what'* probably making the noise. You can't mix and match new parts like this.
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2002 *-10 5.7 V8
2023 Jeep Rubicon Diesel
Retired Administrator
2002 *-10 5.7 V8
2023 Jeep Rubicon Diesel
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WilliamE (02-18-2015)
#6
Senior Member
Posts like a Camaro
If I read your post correctly, you first replaced the pads and put them on top of warped rotors. Those old rotors formed grooves into the new pads. Now you have nice, new, smooth rotors with the grooved pads. Hence the uneven surface, and the squealing. It'* just one theory, but is a possibility.
#8
Senior Member
Posts like a Camaro
If grooved pads ARE your problem, then yes... in theory, buying new ones would fix the squealing issue.
It'* also possible that the pads just have that high metallic content, and would squeal regardless. Or they may squeal for awhile until they get "seasoned" from use and worn in a bit. There are several possibilities.
It'* also possible that the pads just have that high metallic content, and would squeal regardless. Or they may squeal for awhile until they get "seasoned" from use and worn in a bit. There are several possibilities.
#10
Senior Member
I agree totally with Mike on this.....use to get in arguments with my SM over this.....GM put out a TSB saying, IF THE ROTORS WERE NOT CAUSING A PULSATION, and were not rusted or showed deep grooves, the rotors did not have to be turned......I ALWAYS TURNED THE ROTORS, when installing new pads......SM said I didn't have to......eventually, those old rotors with the "fine grooves" would create fine grooves in the pads that would trap dirt/debris/meta dust from pads, and cause a squeak.....
So, depending how long you had the pads on the old rotors, they are not completely flat......in some cases, the hard pads can cause your rotors to be uneven......now we are talking thousands of an inch here, which will not be perceptible to the eye....
Hate to say it, but if you want that squeak gone, you may have to do a light finish cut on those rotors.......may even have to replace the pads, or if you are lucky, use a fine sandpaper, and run the pad on the paper on a flat surface.......the pad acts like a sanding block....thoroughly clean with Brake Klean....
So, depending how long you had the pads on the old rotors, they are not completely flat......in some cases, the hard pads can cause your rotors to be uneven......now we are talking thousands of an inch here, which will not be perceptible to the eye....
Hate to say it, but if you want that squeak gone, you may have to do a light finish cut on those rotors.......may even have to replace the pads, or if you are lucky, use a fine sandpaper, and run the pad on the paper on a flat surface.......the pad acts like a sanding block....thoroughly clean with Brake Klean....
The following users liked this post:
WilliamE (02-18-2015)