Help Wanted: Auto mechanically-inclined please read & reply

[BoSoxGal]

Okay, I'm looking for some free auto repair/service advice.

My brakes are squeeking - not when I apply them, but when I let my foot off the brake from a stop. They seem to have plenty of 'brake' left in them, however - I've tested them a few times with 'sudden' stopping.

They haven't been serviced since early 2008, but at that time I installed high quality ceramic pads and new rotors. I am very kind to my brakes - I don't overuse them at all, but prefer to slow via deceleration. I think I've put about 30k miles on the new parts - maybe 40k?

Should I be getting them checked? Or is a squeek like this no biggie? I fear getting screwed at the shop, so appreciate any suggestions.

[Scooter]

I am certainly no expert, but while it could be nothing, it could be an indication of brake pad wear - the pads have a warning tab that will cause a squeal when they wear down to a certain level, it's not dangerous to drive at this point but they should be checked and replaced before they wear down much further. You wouldn't notice any difference in traction even with significant wear, because the brake calipers adjust to compensate for the thinner pads.

[rubato]

As scooter was saying, there are wear sensors which begin to make noise as you reach the end of the brake pad service life. You will be able to tell if this is the case because the noise will get louder and more annoying.

If you haven't had it in for service since '08, I'd say its time. Did you have all four changed then or only two?

Yrs,
rubato

[BoSoxGal]

I think all 4; my then BF did them for me & I seem to recall all four wheels off. He ended up being a jerk, but it sure was nice having a good mechanic on the payroll.

I will get them checked then. Safety first; after all, my dog rides in that car! And our mountain roads really are.

Thanks much gentlemen!

[quaddriver]

A few thoughts, could be: the wear indicator it brushing the rotor, but that occurs when you are close, usually about 4-5 32nds. you indicate you have lots of brake left.

could be the pads are not firmly clipped to the caliper body and or caliper piston, free to vibrate againts the rotor - discs do not retract like shoes do, they remain 'near' the rotor and the semi natural warpage of the rotor pushes them away giving an air gap. but if the pads are loose or if the caliper piston is at all hanging up, they remain close enuf to sing.

could be: glaze build-up that is making this contact and sometimes a little sanding makes it go away.

could be: a rock or other foreign (or domestic) object is stuck in the caliper and rubs the rotor.

could be: the blasting cap stuck in the C4 making slight contact.

[Jarlaxle]

How many miles since the last brake job and what kind of driving (city, highway, rural mail delivery) do ytou do?

[BoSoxGal]

I think around 30k miles. Most were highway, though 1/3 were small town, very short trips.

I really am very easy on brakes.

There is a lot of dust in Montana and I lived on a dirt road most of last year. Can dirt in the brakes make a squeak? Again, they squeak only when I let off the brake from a stopped position.

[Liberty1]

It's most likely exactly what Scooter said. It could just be dust, but that usually occurs when you apply the brakes, not when you are not applying them. From my experience, if you have squeeling when they are not applied and it goes away when applied, it's the wear indicater.

Also, when I've installed ceramic pads before, they work abosolutely great, but they wear much faster. I had a set of ceramics wear out after 15K.

[dales]

Slightly out of round or warped brake rotor?

[Gob]

Mice.

[BoSoxGal]

I just scheduled an appointment to take my car in. The quote I got was $160-$180 for each (front and rear brakes). They won't know until they see them if they both need replacing.

Does that sound reasonable?

The last time I bought the parts and BF installed, so obviously it was lots cheaper and I just want to know if this is the range of acceptable for a shop. I haven't heard anything bad about this shop.

Thanks!

[Scooter]

For each brake or for each of front and back pair? Sounds reasonable if the latter, but not the former.

[BoSoxGal]

Each pair - thanks, then!

[Scooter]

You might want to get the opinion of someone who lives in the U.S. now that I think of it - not sure if this is one of those things that is wildly more expensive in Canada.

[Liberty1]

Yes per axle that's reasonable.

[eddieq]

That's a reasonable price for replacing the pads/shoes per axle. If that's just to check them, you're getting ripped off.

It is hard to diagnose them from the chair behind the monitor, but as noted above, it could be the wear indicators or just some dust or something causing a vibration. Having them checked is a good idea, especially if it's come on suddenly and is out of the norm.

[dales]

[BoSoxGal]

eddieq!!!!

How the heck are ya?

I miss the question of the day. And just seeing you post more!

[The Hen]

+1

[loCAtek]

LMAO Where'd he learn to drive? Bedrock City, Cobblestone County?