Brake issue or what?

Had a complete front brake overhaul done last July of '06. Pads, calipers, rotors, grease seals... all replaced on both sides.

For the last month or more I have had a rather high pitched warbling, squealing sound coming from somewhere most noticeable during highway driving where the speeds are 50mph or so. Sometimes there almost continuous and sometimes not that bad. Usually takes 15 minutes of driving to hear it.

Seems to be the front wheels as opposed to the rear. Pressing on the brake pedal about 1/4 of the ways down and it goes away until I release it. This always works to stop it no matter how loud it gets.

At first I thought bearings. Garage (Goodyear) checked and said they were fine. Someone told me check the brake pads. That there is some kind of signal device that rubs the rotor if they are word out.

Took it back and they said pads "had plenty of life left". They said they adjusted the rear brakes and it was now OK. $50 for that. They took it for a ride and "heard nothing".

Sound was there as soon as I drove it the next day. Someone else told me it sounds like glazing of the pads. If they were set too tight on the install they will overheat whild driving and a glaze will result and this squeal is the proof. Confirmed by pressing on the pedal to increase pad to rotor pressure.

Any thoughts?

Reply to
scooterspal
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Rarely...

The quality of the pads might be the first thing to suspect. There are several quality levels available, but since Goodyear store did yours, you dont really know what they used.

Second thing is the compound one would usually apply to the pad backing plate to help prevent noise. Did they use it?

When they replaced the rotors, did they burnish or sand them to help them set in more quickly? Good pads, properly installed, will set in pretty fast, but we dont know what you have on there nor how it was put on.

Last, front pads are not adjusted (in the sense you may be thinking about).

They ride, more or less freely, in the caliper and both pads should maintain near contact with the rotor (disc) at all times. They dont "release" in the sense that brake drum and shoe arrangements do ( although they can "stick" when not operating properly.) So again, properly installed good pads are not likely to glaze and stay glazed.

In your case, I am suspicious of the pad quality, but could be totally off base.

Reply to
hls

hls wrote: > The quality of the pads might be the first thing to suspect.

I complained to Goodyear corporate and they have told the store to replace the pads at their expense. They have a lifetime warranty on the pads and I had a 24 month warranty on the labor.

I will ask for the old pads back or, if they refuse, to let me at least see them to see what's what.

Will also inquire about the backing compound used. Have read about this online.

Thanks for the detailed reply.

Reply to
scooterspal

Reply to
philthy

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