Creaking Brakes

[jackal2000]

so i have noticed a creaking noise when i slowly release the brakes. never noticed it before and i think its the front driver's side caliper. any other ideas?


btw, my brakes are on their last leg. think it will go away when i change them?

[Pimpalero03]

its ur caliper

[Spilner521]

Same thing happened to mine..then i changed them and it went away for a while then came back..i cleaned them up and it went away again. its a common problem. i think when they get really dirty they start making creaking noises. but yeah you should definatly change them if they're almost shot and the noise will go away after that.

[kou5oku]

Hmm I'm getting that too,

just a creak when I am stopped but push the brake a little more, and release it. It sounds like metal on metal.

I'll change my brake pads, but I have a sneaking suspicion that its the caliper piston.

[brsexton]

Everyone has, or will have this issue. I am going to take mine in for this repair as soon as I get time. Its only a noise and will NOT affect your brakes.

Here is the TSB:


Brake Noise/Creak During Slow Speed Braking (Lubricate Brake Caliper) #04-05-23-004 - (Sep 20, 2004)

1999-2003 Chevrolet Malibu

2004 Chevrolet Malibu Classic

1999-2004 Oldsmobile Alero

1999-2004 Pontiac Grand Am

Condition
Some customers may comment on a creak type noise occurring when applying the brakes. It is usually heard only during slow speed brake maneuvers. If this condition exists, it should be able to be duplicated when the vehicle is not moving by depressing the brake and listening for the noise from the wheel-well/caliper area.

Cause
This condition may be caused by a caliper piston to seal interface issue during brake apply. If the caliper is removed and the piston is pushed back, the noise may be eliminated. This is usually only a temporary fix.

Correction
DO NOT REPLACE CALIPER.

To repair this condition, lubricate the entire circumference of the seal at the caliper piston interface using Kluber Fluid and the following procedure:

Remove the wheel and reinstall two lug nuts. This will hold the rotor to the bearing surface so debris does not fall between the surfaces and cause lateral runout (LRO).
Remove the bottom bolt from the caliper assembly without disturbing the hydraulic system.



Swing the caliper assembly up so the caliper assembly is facing upward.
Thoroughly clean the piston boot with GM approved Brake Clean. Pay particular attention to the area where the boot interfaces with the piston.
Using compressed air, dry the piston/boot area.



Remove the cap from the tip of the bottle and carefully insert the tip, P/N 89022161, between the boot and piston, inward of the piston boot groove.
From the top side of the piston (reference diagram), inject the lubricant. With the caliper in the tilted position, the lubricant will flow down and work its way around the entire circumference of the seal. Let the caliper body assembly remain in this position for a minimum of 2 minutes to allow for the fluid to completely work its way around the seal.
Push the piston into the seal to ensure the lubricant is on both the piston and seal surface.

Important
Excessive fluid could appear as a failure and lead to a comeback. To prevent unnecessary future repairs, it is important to only use one bottle per side and make sure excess fluid is wiped away.


Wipe away any excessive fluid.
Reassemble the caliper to the vehicle. Tighten
Tighten the caliper bolts to 31N·m(23 lb ft).

Repeat steps 1- 9 on the opposite side of the vehicle, if necessary.
Pump the brake pedal to push the caliper piston back into place.
Reinstall the wheel and test drive the vehicle to verify repair.
Parts Information
Part Number
Description

89022161
Service Kit -- Kluber Fluid



Important
The service kit will consist of a "one--time use only" bottle which will service one caliper.


Parts are currently available from GMSPO.

Warranty Information
For vehicles repaired under warranty, use:

Labor Operation
Description
Labor Time

H9702
Brake Caliper -- Lubricate (One Side)
0.3 hr

H9703
Brake Caliper -- Lubricate (Both Sides)
0.6 hr




GM bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, NOT a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform these technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions, and know-how to do a job properly and safely. If a condition is described, DO NOT assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition. See your GM dealer for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the information.
WE SUPPORT VOLUNTARY TECHNICIAN CERTIFICATION

[jackal2000]

^^^thanks, thats some good info

[K Dan]

My brakes have been doing that for over a year, my pads are still good so I figured everything was ok. Can't be that serious if they're only paying .6 for it lol, I'll worry about it when it's time to do my brakes.

[brsexton]

Yeah, mine were doing if before I replaced the rotors and pads, and they started about 3k after the new pads and rotors. So I am taking it in while I have 6k left on the GM warranty.

Same thing here, it started a while back, at first it would only creak when the car was cold then when the brakes would heat up it would go away. Now it dose it all the time. Good to know what needs to be fix so the shop knows what to do.

Good Info :thumbsup:

[K Dan]

Would assembly lube or such work, if you can't get ahold of the kubler stuff?

[brsexton]

thats what I was wondering. I had almost rather do it myself then to let the dealer do it. I just put brakes and rotors on my car 3k miles ago. I wish I would have known this fix then. <_<

[dbailey]

Mine is doing it too. Starts the creak noise right before I come to a complete stop. I thought it was a strut bearing on the tops of the struts or something in the suspension somewhere. Has anyone tried the Tech Bulletin with success?

[brsexton]

Well, I took mine to the dealer today to have some stuff done, and I told them I wanted this done also. They told me these "kits" are on back order and would not be in until the end of the month or Dec. So LOTS of people must be wanting this done. But I am wondering if some WD-40 would do the same. I mean its just lube.

[jackal2000]

i changed my front brakes today and no more creaking. i had almost forgotten what its like to come to a smooth stop. sooo much better. i replaced the stock poop with duralast rotors (2 year warranty) and bendix ceramic pads. i might take a look at the rears tomorrow, i ran out of time at the shop today. the hardest part by far was getting the lugs off. the damn dealership must have used like 200 psi when they put them on. the air at the shop only went up to 140 and wouldnt budge em. had to do them by hand. i even broke the "breaker bar" i was using, then they gave me the heavy duty breaker bar and i was able to get em off. i thought for sure i was going to break the bolts but luckily none of them did. i called the dealership and bitched em out about it.

[dbailey]

Hmmmm. I just turned my rotors and the creaking is still there. Pads are the ceramics and still had a fair amount left on them. I ordered the special oil in the TSB that should be here in a couple of weeks. We'll see.

[Vtolds]

When my brakes were about gone they were squealing even when I wasn't braking, The inside pads on both sides were basically gone and the outside pads were like new.

[jackal2000]

^^^thats because the inside pad has the wear indicator on it.


i forgot to mention that when i broke that breaker bar trying to get the lugs off, i drilled myself in the knee with it tonya harding style. i gotta nice bump right below the knee cap <_<

[Vtolds]

^^^

[brsexton]

Well the lube is in and I am taking my car in on Monday to have this repair done. THANK GOD. My car is starting to sound like a TOTAL POS as I am coming to a stop or going through a drive thru. The "creaking" has gotten MUCH worse over the last week. I guess it could be because of the cold weather. I hope this special lube corrects the problem. <_<

[dbailey]

I bought the lube at around $5 per what looks like less than an ounce and it came in today. I plan to try and put it in the calipers this weekend. Will post the results. :thumbsup: