I posted yesterday in another dakota forum with no response so I'm also posting here - hoping for some advice...

I had a sloppy E-brake so decided that was a mechanic fix and paid them to fix it. While doing it they did a tire rotation and overtorqued lug nuts on my front driver wheel (where I was about to fix a broken sway bar and replace bushings).

After a nightmare to remove I had to replace the stud which ended up meaning removing the brake caliper and rotor. I noticed when having it all apart that the pads seemed thick enough but the rotors are pretty rusted and pitted looking. When putting it back together I had a hard time with the caliper retainer spring.... for a couple days I drove without it and everything was fine (quiet I mean) I got it back on last Friday and that's when the squealing started.

Now that brake is squealing like a hungry pig even when driving down the road. I didn't lube the piston, or back of pads or anything when putting back together.

Is it possible that just taking it apart and putting together again the pads are rubbing a new part of the rotor (they are old and flaking rust from the fins) or am I looking at something not done right? Brakes grab same as before and as mentioned without the spring it was quiet. I'm nervous because while banging out the stud the caliper slipped and hung from the brake hose for a second before I strung it back up again. I'm worried maybe I shot the hose although the outside looks good.

I've decided to bite on replacing pads and rotors with an online kit for $145 bucks but I have to wait a week or so before I get it. Am I risking bigger problems in the meantime?

Thoughts?? Thanks,

 

Break squeal is something that just is I had brake squeal for years for no reason that I could see removed a few times and still squealed brakes worked great what is very strange is I finally replaced my stock steal OEM rims with some stock OEM Dakota aluminum rims and my squeal vanished.

Just check that everything is as it should be you installed everything correct try some brake squeal lube never did me any good but what the heck.

If you damaged the flex line it’s possible they are cheap $25 for new.

If your rotors are pitted as you say that may be what’s giving you the squeal get them turned if they are thick enough to do it. New pads are cheap.

 

The $145 New Tek brake kit arrived (free shipping). The pads are made in Canada so I'm encouraged by that. The rotors are white box - made in China. They look fine - back milled (or whatever it's called) and aren't all rusty and pitted like the ones on the truck - so I'm sure it will be better.

I've watched about 30 videos on changing pads and rotors so going to tackle this weekend - probably on Canada Day while the ribs are on the BGE.