Brake problem/question

[Casey B]

I changed my front pads and rotors a few months back. Put ceramic pads on as they are supposedly better. Sometimes when coming to a complete stop I get a grinding feeling/sound. It doesn't happen every time but more than not. Some squeeling is happening as well at really slow speeds. I took the wheels off and everything appears to be fine. Pads don't look worn at all. No problems with braking otherwise.



I had ceramics put on my wife's Honda and it does the same thing sometimes. Squeeling has become the norm for slow stops.



No brake dust occuring. Any ideas or suggestions? Thanks in advance.

 

[Dre L]

Try a different brand of ceramics. I have had no issues with the Wagner ThermoQuiet QuikStop or Akebono brand pads.

 

[Todd Z]

I had that problem with a set of carbon fibers, Had to remove thew pad and sand the surface of the pad, turned out the pad was defective...



I also say look at your rotors do they have a bluish or purple color, IF so the rotors are getting hot, and that what did it..., un proper break in....



Todd Z

 

[Casey B]

No color changes on the rotors. I'll have to check again after driving when they are warm but usually the blue/purple that your referring to stays even when they have cooled.



Ceramics are expensive just to go out and replace, at least for me.



I think I'm gonna put new bearings in before I take the Trac to the dealer about the ball joints. I'll get a chance to look over everything good. I'll sand the pads just in case.

 

[Richard L]

Most rotors come with a protective coating on them. If you did not clean it off with brake cleaner, you may have contamintated your pads.



Also, I usually have new rotors turned just to be sure they are true and then have them blanchard gound for a non-directional finish. That helps the pads seat properly and eliminates brake squeal



...Rich

 

[Casey B]

Rich that was the first thing I did was clean the rotors with brake cleaner. Before I put them on and again after they were on. I had read about problems occurring if they were not cleaned.

 

[Dre L]

Check rockauto. The akebono pads run about $65, but lasted as long as the OEM pads did for me. That was about 22K hard driven miles in NYC. Well worth it for the reliable stopping power, and durability.



The Wagners did well also, and are less expensive. Go with a brand name as the pads are more likely tol be properly formulated to deal with the torture of the nearly 5000LB Trac.



But when it comes to brake linings, I have found that you really get what you pay for. I would drop the $$ on Akebono's without thinking twice.

 

[Rodger Tellefson]

I put on Raybestos Quiet Stop ceramic pads over 2 yrs. ago; no problem, very happy with them.

 

[Richard L]

If the rotors were cleaned, they you possibly have sticking rotors. If you have never flushed your brake fluid on your 2001 ST, the old fluid may have severely pitted the bores of the calipers. Often sticking calipers do not show up until after you have replace the pads and pushed the caliper pistons back in. Brake fuild should be flushed every brake job or every 2-3 years at the most.



The corrosion eats at the bores behind the piston. As the pistion pushes out of the bore, the piston has no problem because the bore in front of the piston is untouched. When you push the pistons back to install the new, thicker brake pads, the piston is now forced over the pitted portion of the caliper bore and now begins to stick and jam.



This can cause hard pedal and poor braking because the pistons cannot slide smoothly in their bores. I will usually exchange the calipers for remanufactured units everytime I do a front brake job. You can find remanufactured calipers for as little as $20 to about $50 each. That is fairly cheap insurance of a good, long lasting brake job.



...Rich