I was hoping this would never come up again >.>

My car's brakes have been making a noise lately... kinda a cross between a squeak and a squeal. I don't have the means to record it unfortunately. I've seen products that are supposed to stop brake squealing or something and I was wondering if I should get that or if it might mean I need to replace my brake pads.

...And on the way home today I got a recurrence of the same noise the car made when I first got it- which we later figured out to be the brake calipers. Very very loud kind of grinding noise when I brake. It went away after a second and didn't come back, but it'd royally suck to have to deal with that again.

 

what kind of condition are your pads and rotors in? Might have to have the rotors turned if they are rough. IF they can be. If not they are cheap to replace. Just do a visual check of everything. Pull the wheel off. stick your head in the wheel well and have a look see

 

The pads were replaced around July or August last year, and basically the whole brake system was looked at right around the same time (when we were first dealing with the caliper noise)

That said I didn't get to look at them myself, although I'm sure my dad would have said something if he'd noticed anything when he changed the calipers for me.

In any case, I've got the next two days off so I will jack it up tomorrow morning and take a look... although I'm not particularly knowledgeable as to what to look for. Could you describe or post a pic of the pads and rotors for me?

 

basically just look at the pads and make sure there is actually pad left on them. if the pads are worn down to metal it will make a sqeauling squeaking noise. rotors just look at them and make sure the whole inner and outer surfaces are smooth and free of rust. im assuming this is a front brake noise. but drive the car and really listen to where exactly the noise is comnig from. and if you bought cheap pads, you can pretty much expect them to make noise right from the start, cause thats what i do with my winter s-10 haha.

 

well is this sound all the time or just when your on the brakes?

 

Just when I'm on the brakes, and only after the car's warmed up somewhat.

I'm pretty sure the noise is coming from the front brakes.

And I would not be surprised at all if it were the brake pads- David T had a bad habit of only using used parts, even when I asked for new. I don't take it to him anymore.

 

haha i hope David T never put used pads on! anyways take a look and let me know what u find.

 

Just checked them all- my brake pads are all good- about 1cm of pad left. As for the rotors... the right rear is rusty around the edge, the left rear is rusty around the top edge, and not the bottom. The right front is the same as the right rear, and the left front is polished all the way to the edge.

Edit: My uncle suggested to have the rotors turned on all the wheels.