Squealing brakes
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,988
Likes: 14
From: Travelers Rest SC
Squealing brakes
Although this is an Explorer question, I figured I'd get more traffic here, plus I've had this problem w/ other cars. We replaced the rear pads on our '98 Explorer, and now they squeal under certain conditions- low speeds, and light braking. If you put the brakes on harder, it stops. We replaced them exactly as the old ones were, but I don't have a manual, so I don't know if they were missing some kind of anti-squeal shim to begin with. Any ideas?
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 6,940
Likes: 2
From: Eastern WA
Did you use OEM pads from Ford or something aftermarket from an auto supply store? Did you turn the rotors? Did you make sure that if there was any adhesive (evidenced during disassembly) or clips securing the pads to the rotor and/or the piston that these were properly restored and in good order?
Myself, I found out long ago that it was worth it to bite the bullet and pay extra for the OEM pads at the part$ department at the dealer$hip. By doing such, I can be confident that the pad material will be compatible with the OEM rotors and as such I don't have to worry much about squealing, short rotor or pad life, and maybe excess dust causing my rims to get black.
Myself, I found out long ago that it was worth it to bite the bullet and pay extra for the OEM pads at the part$ department at the dealer$hip. By doing such, I can be confident that the pad material will be compatible with the OEM rotors and as such I don't have to worry much about squealing, short rotor or pad life, and maybe excess dust causing my rims to get black.
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,988
Likes: 14
From: Travelers Rest SC
I'll admit; we cheaped out, since they were the rears. The rotors were smooth and ran true (I checked w/ an indicator, so we just slapped the pads in and went. They were fine for the first month. They are aftermarket. The old pads came out easily w/ no evidence of adhesive; there are clips, which we put in the same way. Will not surfacing the rotors cause squeals? Perhaps I should re-do them right, although the dealer wants $400.
