I bought this van one year ago. Dealer put in new pads/rotors on all four wheels. Fronts squealed pretty bad, I'm not talking about when braking (they did, but not very loud) Every bump, every turn and even driving straight. Mechanic said it needed more than a couple hundred miles to wear in, and the pads were kinda crappy, but not dangerous.

15000 miles later no change. Had them checked at 5000, 10000 nothing 'wrong' they say.

I go to another shop: Pads are crappy, rotors are fine. They swap pads only rotors didn't need to be cut

After 1000 miles it's even worse, it's incessant. Go back and ask for new rotors. They do, said pads were fine.

That was yesterday. No change what so ever. The pads have the shims top and bottom, noise paste on back of pads, from what I can see.

No one takes brake noise seriously. I can live with some but it's such a grating sound

I gotta get this fixed.... What can I do?

 

Change the pads to another brand?

I've so far used the OEM pads directly from the dealer, make sure you DON'T get the Motor Craft "value line"---get the good stuff.

Yeah its $80 or so but that's consistent with most good brands. If you really really want near-perfect pads look for Carbo Tech---be prepared though for some serious sticker shock!

 

for pads on any vehicle, i usually buy the wagner thermo-quiet. they ain't cheap, but i'm a mechanic and can't afford to have a bunch of call-backs about brake noise, and have never had a problem with these pads.
one thing i do that many guys don't, is i lubricate every surface on which the pad touches the caliper and/or caliper mounting bracket. if there are any spring clips on your brakes, make sure they're in good shape as well.