Brake squeal, uneven pad wear
 

I put new struts on and got an alignment. Also installed new brake pads. I have previously had a problem with the parking brake binding, not releasing until I start moving, especially when cold or wet outside.

Now, I have an intermittent problem with the brakes Sometimes I get a LOUD squeal, sometimes not. Happens at low speed, and high speed. Light braking and heavy braking. Does not squeal when driving, only when I hit the brakes.

Second, on the rear brakes, the top of the pads are wearing, and the bottom is not. I suspect I need new calipers.

The rotors are smooth as glass, and I have no shaking when braking, and no pull to either side when driving or braking.

I am about to make a 2500 mile road trip with this car, and I fear I am running out of time (and $) to fix this before I go in 23 days.

Any idea/suggestions?

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a few very important things people dont do when changing pads

remove, inspect, clean re lube caliper bracket pins and check the rubber

when installing new pads, clean off all rust/gunk from the silver clips and the bracket that hold the pads

test fit the pads and make sure they slide free. i always clean off the paint/burs from the "ears" on the pads.

any of this will cause uneven wear.poor performance

I have no performance issues, the brakes work great. They just have a LOUD squeal. Like, people get scared when they hear it, as if a train is about to run them over.

if your pads are not wearing even you have a problem. what pads are you using? some are noisier than others. did you apply the brake quite stuff?

Same thing applies. What he said will make sure they work well, if they work well, they will not squeak. the noise and wear comes from the pads not aligned right.

Take out the rotor..grab a sandpaper and sand it front and back...

So I got new rotors and ceramic brake pads, a hardware kit (caliper clips) and some grease. One of the slides was rusted pretty good and I had to use pliers to get it out. Everything is back together and I have no squeal.

Thing is, one of the pads (inner left rear) was WAY worn. I am pretty sure the caliper is sticking, because it was hard to turn in to get the caliper back on the rotor, and the other one turns very easily. I am hoping it stays fine until I at least do the first part of my trip, as I don't have time or money to replace the caliper right now with moving to New Jersey in 10 days.

The old rotors were obviously WAY worn when compared to the new ones, maybe that was the problem, and the caliper was just out too far. Time will tell.

Hey, everyone. If my brake pad has uneven wear (only one one pad), should I get a new set? It's for the rear. There is still brake pad left, its just a little uneven.

Thanks,

Chad

I would replace them and investigate why - possibly the calliper has restricted or no movement? Might be the piston is having to push quite far if the calliper isn’t moving.