Brake noise (squeak) at very low speed

[JCL]

Originally Posted by scchang

Quick question: I have 50% left on my brakes according to trusted mechanic. Not sure if that refers to pads or rotors or both. I have had a low speed squeal as well which I attribute to aftermarket (low dust) pads. Rotors and pads were changed at the same time. Can I safely change just the pads to OE?

As long as the rotor is at least the minimum thickness, and the surface finish is reasonable, yes. The minimum thickness spec is stamped on the rotor. If they were changed recently, they are likely to be fine.

[Elvis 3.0]

I went to change my brake pads this past Sunday with my brother as I thought it was time. I had a hunch though the sensor wire didn't trigger the alarm. Anyway, it turns out that the sensor wire ( on the drivers side tire in the front) was not even attached. However, I looked at the pads and they were not even close to needing a change. Anyway, the upside was that I too was dealing with a low speed wheel squeal that was very noticeable rolling up to stop signs with the windows down. Being prepared to do the aforementioned expected brake job that never happened, I had 'anti-squeal' grease ready to apply to the calipers where they meet the break pad. I did not not even remove either the calipers or the pads and simply used a pinky finger dab of anti squeal at the extreme ends of the caliper (both north and south sides), and on both sides of those areas where the make contact with the pad. That is, the outer caliper where it faces you and where it touches the pad. I made an effort to get a tiny amount between the caliper and pad. Prior to application, I used a wire brush to remove excess rust off rotor, caliper, and anti rattle clip. I used anti-seize grease on the flat surface of the rotor hub and where the lugs enter the hub. The whole process took about 15 minutes per tire. Result- no squeal. Simple.

Hope that helps.

[rastaFarai]

i am having this issue as well. the mechanic that did the job says that he doesn't hear it but i was in a rush so i had him just do the CV boots. Left thinking "is it in my head" - but it got worse. i'm concerned because i know he had his young assistant do the job. so i think i should go back - if it's been a month or 2 i should be within my rights to have him check and fix the squeal right?

[staskaya]

If you have it done professionally, I'd go back and have them review it and resolve the issue. Specially if its a reputable place, they shouldn't question it. I installed the pads/rotors myself with my neighbors help so....I'm to be blamed for the problem.

[JCL]

Originally Posted by rastaFarai

i am having this issue as well. the mechanic that did the job says that he doesn't hear it but i was in a rush so i had him just do the CV boots. Left thinking "is it in my head" - but it got worse. i'm concerned because i know he had his young assistant do the job. so i think i should go back - if it's been a month or 2 i should be within my rights to have him check and fix the squeal right?

When I worked in a shop doing that type of work, I would normally have taken the customer's vehicle back in and redone the job to solve the squeal problem. The exception to that is if I had told the customer up front that I recommended new rotors, and the customer still wanted to go with the old ones. That would only have been the case if they were still if spec for thickness, but didn't have a good surface finish. In that case, I would have written on the work order "re-used rotors at customer's request" and any subsequent squeal problems would have been the customer's responsibility (as long as the brake job had been done correctly).

Take it back and tell them about the problem. See what they say.