Squeaking Breaks

[GMC1001]

A year ago (5,000 miles ago) I had my brake pads and discs replaced on my Vauxhall Astra. A few months after that I noticed a scretching noise coming from the brakes when I apply light pressure, especially when I'm coming to a stop. The noise doesn't happen when I start a journey, but after stopping 3 or 4 times the noises starts and happens everytime I brake until my next journey when this process happens again. If I brake harder the noise goes away. People have suggested that it could be dirt / dust on my pads causing friction or just cheap pads!

Any ideas, as this has been driving me mad for months!

 

[andy]

A year ago (5,000 miles ago) I had my brake pads and discs replaced on my Vauxhall Astra. A few months after that I noticed a scretching noise coming from the brakes when I apply light pressure, especially when I'm coming to a stop. The noise doesn't happen when I start a journey, but after stopping 3 or 4 times the noises starts and happens everytime I brake until my next journey when this process happens again. If I brake harder the noise goes away. People have suggested that it could be dirt / dust on my pads causing friction or just cheap pads!

Any ideas, as this has been driving me mad for months!

had a similar problem with my astra on the front wheels. replaced pads (they needed it) and problem is still there, but hardly noticeable now. after taking wheels off 8/9 times checking i give up.

 

[struggling]

does the car have anti squeal shims in between the pad and the caliper piston ,the noise sounds like this is the problem,how hard do you drive your car over braking could in effect bake your pads therefor making them go hard,try a softer brake pad and lightlly coat the back of the pad with "copperslip grease,the cause is a vibration similar to a tuning fork resonating ,take this as your first step...

 

[stric]

Could be cheap pads causing loads of dust, do your wheels get black dust on them easily?
try spray brake cleaner from halfords, follow the instructions.
it worked on a car of mine.

 

[johnwr]

That's an interesting reply Struggling, Can yyou tell me how do you quantify "softer pads". I agree with coating the back plates with copperslip.
johnwr

 

[struggling]

That's an interesting reply Struggling, Can yyou tell me how do you quantify "softer pads". I agree with coating the back plates with copperslip.
johnwr

 

[struggling]

Sorry I know in the past I have bought softer pads,a good retailer would be able to tell you that different manufacturers use slighly different compounds you can get them ,trust me I,m a doctor!

 

[ratm]

Have you tried putting a little Copperease or similar on the contact points of the brake pad backing plate? Not on the ferodo/wear surface obviously but on all the contact points around and behind the pad. It's more often the rear shoes that squeal because of dust build up especially if they're binding and rubbing constantly. This wears a grove in the brake drum and dust lies in it causing a vibration when the brakes are applied which translates into a squeal. It can be very difficult to distinguish where the sound is coming from. So take the car for a run on open road and stop somewhere and check if the brakes are heating up more than usual, this could indicate a binding pad or shoe. If so check the drums and pads and replace if they appear worn. Grease all the contact points, self adjusters, and handbrake cable before replacing brake drums and wheels. The floating calipers on older model Astra's were a complete pig and I was constantly rebuilding mine until a friend told me to ream them out about 0.2 of a mm and fill them with molly grease. Not a complete cure but a hell of a lot better. Very hard compound pads such as those found on black cabs and corporation busses also squeal something fearsome but they're generally only available from specialist suppliers. Hope this helps

 

[struggling]

I'm assuming it has discs all round,surely we are not on drums .how old is it anyway?????????