Front brake problems?

[Andy Szkutak]

Ok, so heres my next newest problem lol..grr- My trac brakes have squealed since we bought the truck new 5 yeard ago-the dealer recognized this, put 2 different sets of rotors on it, and still did it-they told my dad its just gonna have to be-that was five or so years ago, now i drive it and they still squeal, but lately they squeal more and more, also they make a very harsh rubbing sound only on a certain rotation of the rotor-i feel the front end doing what seems to be trying to hold the trac back, as i have to keep giving it more and more gas when i drive at a certain speed. When im coming to a stop i feel the one part rubbing, and at that one part they seem to lock up...While this is happenig, i also feel it all through my steering wheel. In the last couple of weeks i have seen a huge drop in mpg, and i havent been able to get over 14...but everything is tuned up, so it sounds like a warped rotor and/or a hanging up caliper i assume? If anyone remembers from the chatroom the other night, i have traced the "shudder" i was describing to this brake problem... Is this looking like rotor/caliper problem? If so, how much are rotors/calipers? it goes in tomorrow am...NOT how i wanted to spend my birthday today..lol

 

[Chris P]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! sorry, what it sounds like is that the brake pads are bad, if thats not it have them check the calipers rubbing on the rotor, if it were me i would replace all the brake components to aftermarket, drilled and slotted rotors and ceramic brakes, i did that to a tahoe and the darn thing stopped on a dime when needed



chris p

 

[Richard L]

Andy,

It sounds like you have already diagnosed your brake problem.



Yes, it sounds like you have a sticking caliper, which has worn the pads down and also warped the rotor. The squealing is caused by dry metal to metal contact. This is typically caused by the brake pad backing plate vibrating on the caliper slides. The ears on the pad are the contact points and they should be lubed with a high temperature silicone grease or brake grease. Also, make sure that there are not nicks or burrs on the caliper slide that can cause the caliper to stick.



Another area that can cause squealing is where the brake pads contact the caliper piston and the fixed outside side of the caliper frame. the outside pad needs to have a dab of grease where it contacts the caliper and the piston side pad should have an isolator pad attached to the back of the pad. These isolators are also called slippers and are just a thin shim that gets glued to the back of the brake pad. Some pads have the slippers attached, while others require you to peel off the protective strip and stick the slippers on yourself.



...Rich



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[Dale Carter]

A dealer said that was just going to have to be that way?



My advice? Your dealer has idiots in the service department and you need to find another one. There is no way I would buy ANY new vehicle and tolerate an obvious defect.