I picked up an 02 trailblazer the other day with squeaky brakes, took the wheels of last night and the pads look like new. I don't have any history on the car but it may have been sitting of a few weeks. Any ideas for me?
Squeeky brakes look new
- Thread starter stormyday
- Start date
Whoever put in the brakes could have neglected to put anti-squeal goop on the BACKS of the pads. Or they could have been poorly broken-in. Or they could be CCC: Cheap Chinese Crap brand pads.
xOgrex
Member
- Sep 17, 2012
- 38
Another thing to look at is the brake backing plates. Had this problem myself after new pads and rotors and went nuts for like 4 months trying to figure out the intermittent squeal that sounded like the wear indicators. There's a video over at youtube on this very subject:
[video=youtube;g2UTd673fl4]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2UTd673fl4&feature=youtube_gdata[/video]
[video=youtube;g2UTd673fl4]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2UTd673fl4&feature=youtube_gdata[/video]
stormyday said:
Do you mean squeaky as in "creaking" like an old rusty door hinge? Or do you mean squeal like a high pitched metal on metal scrapping?
If you really have creaking and the pads and rotors look ok then I have some news for you. I just went through this ordeal. The funny thing is GM knows about it. Let me know exactly what you got and I can help. But there have been some good suggestions thusfar.
I would say a squeal, like metal, but the pads look like new, what's the news you have for me? Any news may help
meerschm
Member
- Aug 26, 2012
- 1,079
do you think it is front or back?
noise only when brakes are applied?
noise when light brake or heavy brake, or always?
does the parking brake work?
have you jacked up and rotated by hand, looking for sticking/rubbing?
have you verified the caliper is firmly attached, but moves on the pins?
what shape are the backing plates in?
noise only when brakes are applied?
noise when light brake or heavy brake, or always?
does the parking brake work?
have you jacked up and rotated by hand, looking for sticking/rubbing?
have you verified the caliper is firmly attached, but moves on the pins?
what shape are the backing plates in?
triz said:
That's the brake pad wear indicators. When you apply the brakes the caliper pushes the indicators further into the rotor, along with the brake pad. It doesn't vibrate and make the noise when you brake. Sounds like you need a major brake job. I would also clean, inspect the calipers and rebuild/replace if necessary. If doing the work yourself I would invest in the following.
Amazon.com: ACDelco 18K1551X Professional Durastop Front Brake Caliper Kit: Automotive
View attachment 30476
Attachments
triz
Member
- Apr 22, 2013
- 746
CaptainXL said:
I will check them again. I've never let my brakes get down that far and last I checked they had about 50% life in them. I'll take the wheel of and make sure I don't have one side worn over the other. I usually change rotors at the same time I do brakes. Thanks for the link.
HARDTRAILZ
Moderator
- Nov 18, 2011
- 49,665
meerschm
Member
- Aug 26, 2012
- 1,079
HARDTRAILZ said:
Always have to be careful with humor.
I remember a Detroit Free Press cartoon on winterizing your car, basically said pull the air cleaner and hose out the carb. (this alone should date the cartoon and myself) you know some person did it. answer of what are you doing looking at the funny pages for car advice was not soothing to the reader, who had quite the bill to pay.
and yes, I think there are people stupid enough to spray oil on their brakes.
HARDTRAILZ
Moderator
- Nov 18, 2011
- 49,665
