I took the truck in for repairs today, the looked at the brakes because they squeak loud enough to wake the dead.

I didn't get charged for the inspection, here is what is on the report:

fronts 11/32", rears 5/32". added elixar to stop squeaking

Now, if that helped at all it maybe helped 10%. They sometimes squeak when I am driving and not braking, they sometimes squeak when I brake but not always and I sometimes hear it when I turn. Very hard to pinpoint.

Anyone know what I can do to stop this?

Thanks.

 

My brakes usually squeek due to brakedust buildup. I haven't had the problem since I switched to ceramic pads.

 

Check to make sure the wear indicator hasn't been bent and is rubbing the rotor.

 

Some breaks never stop squealing. It sucks but it is true.

I have never had my brakes squeal on my truck by following a few rules:

Always buy new American steel. No Autosone crap and no RayBestos
Mid grade Autozone pads only. The cheap put out dust and ceramic wears rotors.
I only do the work myself. Way too many Meineke horror stories!

Check the quality of the parts and let us know.

Mike

 

Once when they were putting sewer pipes on mu street and I was driving on a dirt road for a while I had this problem. A good cleaning took care of it. At first I thought the brakes were worn.
Good luck

 

I know the past of this truck, I know it has been off-road a lot, it was a truck owned by a rural electric company. What needs cleaning? Do I just get some brake cleaning fluid and spray it everywhere?

 

I'v only used Wagner pads and rotors and have never had a squeal. I, too, do my own work.

 

JoeVB
I took the truck in for a brake job and a (honest person) told me they just needed cleaning. A large dirt build up. I would think a small wire brush would do the trick. The guy didn't even charge me for it. I'm talking about the front disc brakes.

 

Start with any friction surface; the rotors, dust shields, and pads. If the squeal remains, you may have to get dirtier.

Mike

 

Never had a squeal or squeak on mine. I just changed the front pads last weekend after 137K. Still had the factory pads on it, I know, because I'm the OO. Rotors were still nice and smooth, so didn't even bother having them turned. New pads are seating quite nicely. One thing that did disturb me, though, was the condition of the brake fluid. That too, was put in the truck at the factory. Needless to say, it was QUITE nasty stuff after 137K. I just kept pouring fluid in the reservoir, and bleeding until I got reasonably clear fluid out each bleeder. Now the brakes are darn near TOO good. Barely touch the pedal, and the truck wants to stand on it's nose. They're not grabbing, just ZERO air in the system, I guess. Getting better as the pads seat, but the first 200 miles or so have been a little tricky.

One thing I do notice, though, is if I get in to drive after it's rained, and the truck's sat a few hours, it tends to grab some on the fronts. My guess is it's just rust between the pads and rotors since the pads never withdraw from the rotors on disc systems. If I can get up a good speed before I have to apply them the first time, not a real problem. Enough inertia there to handle cleaning the rust back off, and they're fine until the morning after the next rain.

Anyone else having the same symptoms?