Squeeky Brakes

[crackerjackwhiz]

Hey there,

This is my first post here. I just bought a 2002 Alero Coupe a couple of days ago. So far I really like it. Except that I'm hearing a squeek when I press the breaks fully. The dealer said that the right front pads are 80% worn, and the right rear pads are 60% worn. The car has 32,000 km on it. So I don't know if this is a common problem. Does anyone know if it is acutally the break pad or have any suggestion on how to get rid of it?

Thanks
Trev

[Vtolds]

Brakes squeak, simple as that. Its just the pad vibrating when you stop. There is stuff you can buy to put on the back of the pad to quiet it down, but you would have to take the pads out to do it. My brand new HAWK pads on my Elantra squeak most of the time.

[gre0481]

Being 80% and 60% worn, I recommend using a higher quality brake pad.
Ie Ceramics or semi metallics. I've used Morse and raybestos. The morse pads were great, and the raybestos pg plus have been great so far.
Ceramics have less brake dust, brake dust causing some of the noise.
You can get more life out of a higher performance pad, but this also depends on how you brake. If you're going to apply some disc brake quiet, you might as well just replace your pads at that time.
As far as disc brake quiet goes, I recommend the orange stuff in a small bottle. You spread it on, and let it get tacky. It turns into a rubbery substance. They also sell it in a spray can, I've seen it in blue and red. I don't recommend that type because it applies much thinner and doesn't last quite as long.

Feel your rotors also. If they feel grooved, wavy, or just not smooth; take them into an autostore and have them turned. If they're in good shape you may have 1, or possibly 2 more turns left. Not having your rotors turned could cause pulsations in your braking.
But as far as the squeeking is concerned, use some higher quality pads, the orange disc brake quiet; and have your rotors turned if possible.

Good luck!

There's plenty good info on this topic on these forums; Just use the search option

[Whitetigerboi83]

i ended up replacing both my rotors and my pads at 85k but they needed it i have the old rotors left i prolly gonna seel then still in good shape i just felt i would be better off with new ones didnt cost that much erither and they have a lifetime replacement at autozone same with the pads life time replacement (for my car and my truck) and it's worth the few extra dollars just save the box i've replaaced my trucks 3 tmes in 2 years and the car i havent yet but 95k on it now and their startin to squeek so i gonna have to get them replaced soon .. best place if you have them around you is murrys or autozone keep ur reciept in a safe place

[crackerjackwhiz]

Thanks for the help,

I checked and my back left rotor has two large groove as well. Does that mean that I need a new one of those too?

Thanks
Trev

[gre0481]

Originally posted by crackerjackwhiz@Aug 10 2005, 12:13 AM
Thanks for the help,

I checked and my back left rotor has two large groove as well. Does that mean that I need a new one of those too?

Thanks
Trev
Quoted post




Not necessarily, If it's not too far down, you can just have it turned. Turning just takes off a layer to make it smootch again. If they have to take away too many layers, then it's a no go. they normally use a caliper to check this, I've not sure what the acceptable width is. Rotor removal is very simple with alero's, you just need to remove the caliper.

[crackerjackwhiz]

Thanks Again,

I'm going to get them checked out today

Trev

[Vtolds]

Most shops can actually do the your rotors right on the car, most dealers have the machine to do it most small garages dont.

[alero440]

My first alero squeaked like a squeaky door, it was the caliper pins and it never went away. My new one did it until I got my new pads, so far it hasn't happened again. It's quite annoying.

[pawzbear]

raybestos is crap. period. its like the stockers, which, interestingly, are crap. 80 and 60%? Just get new pads, big improvement over raybestos.
Go either semi-metallic or ceramic
semi-metallic: Bendix. Theyre the best, and the only brand we trust and use at our shop
ceramic: GREAT!! some people fear that since they are more stiff or whatever then they may cause premature wear... But they distibute heat better and such and there is no exaggerated risk. We have them on our Expedition.

Ceramic if you want superior braking quality with practically no brake dust. semi metallic is fine though. Its what I have. Just remember, BENDIX!!