my front brakes are making a squeaking sound. i think i need new rotors and pads but was just wondering what every one thinks. i am thinking the rotors are warped, but not sure. he pads and rotors are rubbing against each other and i figure if i get new pads and rotors then the noise will stop, what does every on think?

 

Most likely you need new pads and rotors but just for the hell of it lube the slides of the calipers, since that also could cause this.

 

thanks i will definitely try it

 

My neon does the same thing. My rotors are good(No grooves/warping/and not worn past the thickness stamped on the side). My drums are the same. Shoes and pads are all around BRAND NEW as of 3 months ago and still have more then 85% thickness left all round(More on shoes).

The thing is they put new brakes in my car right before I bought it and my guess is they went cheap....like CHINA cheap. I've had squeeky brakes before when I went cheap so that is probably my problem to.

BUT, it could be that you:
- Need new Shoes/pads/Rotors maybe drums(In my neon it sounds like the squeeking is from the front but it's actually the back, so make sure when checking yours).
- Dirty linings(Brake clean and actually separate from caliper and even use a brush to get the crap out).
- Heat stressed drums/rotors will squeek sometimes(Looks like little cracks all over the surface, sometimes not all around).
- Set your brakes properly. The rear drums have a little spline that you can turn with a screwdriver(Above the hub, behind the little rubber cap, You won't be able to see it visually but it's there). Tighten that so the wheel is brakes are barely rubbing, if it's too tight they can squeek. I'm honestly not too sure but I think the fronts are preset to barely touch the rotor.
- Could be warped(Intermitent squeeks)
- And rarely will you ever have front brake pads that are actually not installed properly. Make sure they are snugg to the caliper and don't move around, the little progs should be bent real good to hold it in place. Lightly tap with a hammer to check if it moves(Up down left right)This is more pertinent to the outside pad that does not actually click into the caliper head.

 

Oh and your pads/rotor should always rub a little bit. You could clean up the rubber around the caliper Head with brake clean cause crap will build up in there, just so it will recess properly when the brakes are released.

 

Just a note... do NOT use the brake clean for this. It is a good idea to clean off necessary areas to promote good overall function and wear, but brake clean will dry-shock the rubber faster than you can say "omg" and it will crack and fall apart much faster than it normally would have.

My advice for this would be to buy a $5 spray-can of silicon spray, and hose it with that... it will clean the rubber, but keep it nourished as well.

As far as the other squeeky brake ideas... have you checked the following?

1. Pad thickness is too thin.
2. Do the brakes "pulse" or vibrate during braking?

If both are true, then replace everything. If #1 is true only, then you have relatively normal break wear, and can replace just the pads and have the rotors turned, or just buy new rotors. Your choice.

If #2 is true but #1 isn't, then you are either braking way too hard at some point and you are getting metallic grind. This means your pads are toast, and you actually have a layer of steel that transferred itself from the rotor and welded itself to the surface of the pad. Or, the previous brake job was botched (if all the pad is still there).

 

That silicone is actually a good idea. I just use BC cause it's easy enough to just wipe it off and rub some oil on the rubber...But yeah