Brake Squeeking Question
08-02-08, 05:06 PM
#1
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
Brake Squeeking Question
This is kind of a 101 question but I don't know the answer. What causes brakes to squeek? Also, when they squeek does that mean that they will need to be replaced soon?
08-02-08, 06:49 PM
#2
Super Moderator
There are a lot of things that can make them squeak. Probably 2/3 of the time, though, it's the wear sensor scraping against the rotor and telling you that your brakes are shot and need to be replaced.
08-02-08, 09:01 PM
#3
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Sometimes it's the nature of the pads. High performance ones (like Axis Ultimates) squeak on low speeds stops once they hot (I LOATHED those pads).
Sometimes its dust/rust/dirt on the pads. This can sometimes be alleviated by 3 or so HARD STOPs with the brakes.
And sometimes the pads are just worn out.
Sometimes its dust/rust/dirt on the pads. This can sometimes be alleviated by 3 or so HARD STOPs with the brakes.
And sometimes the pads are just worn out.
08-03-08, 06:26 AM
#4
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
Sometimes it's the nature of the pads. High performance ones (like Axis Ultimates) squeak on low speeds stops once they hot (I LOATHED those pads).
Sometimes its dust/rust/dirt on the pads. This can sometimes be alleviated by 3 or so HARD STOPs with the brakes.
And sometimes the pads are just worn out.
Sometimes its dust/rust/dirt on the pads. This can sometimes be alleviated by 3 or so HARD STOPs with the brakes.
And sometimes the pads are just worn out.
08-03-08, 10:30 AM
#5
Even brand new brakes (pads/rotors) can squeak... even new car manufacturers say that squeaking up to 20% of the time is perfectly normal... different things like humidity, outside temperature, brake pad material, rotor material, and more can cause it...
wear indicators typically make a squealing sound that goes away partially or completely when the brake pedal is depressed...
the only time I was ever able to find a combination that never squeaked was when I had slotted rotors on my 3000GT - the slots kept the pad material fresh and clean, thus no squeaking... downside - the pads wore quicker....
wear indicators typically make a squealing sound that goes away partially or completely when the brake pedal is depressed...
the only time I was ever able to find a combination that never squeaked was when I had slotted rotors on my 3000GT - the slots kept the pad material fresh and clean, thus no squeaking... downside - the pads wore quicker....
08-03-08, 11:07 AM
#6
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Sometimes it's the nature of the pads. High performance ones (like Axis Ultimates) squeak on low speeds stops once they hot (I LOATHED those pads).
Sometimes its dust/rust/dirt on the pads. This can sometimes be alleviated by 3 or so HARD STOPs with the brakes.
And sometimes the pads are just worn out.
Sometimes its dust/rust/dirt on the pads. This can sometimes be alleviated by 3 or so HARD STOPs with the brakes.
And sometimes the pads are just worn out.
Usually it's because the sensor is rubbing on the rotor to inform you that the brake pads are low.
I helped my friend install a full set of Front & Rear OEM pads & cross-drilled rotors. He does have this nasty sound when the weather is wet, but it goes away after 5mins of driving. (1995 Lexus SC300)
His brother has the same problem, but after applying brake grease on the piston & the back of the brake pad backing plate...it went away.
I was never a believer in the brake grease.
And finally...my brother use to drive his other car once/week, and we park it outside, so the rotors will have rust. So when he drives it, it will squeak for 5mins & then goes away.
Anywho...with all this squeaks that these people are occuring, it does go away within a few minutes, and their braking power has always been constant. So there's nothing to worry about.
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08-07-08, 09:04 PM
#8
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I had my rotors turned and the squeaking reduced, however they still will squeak at low speeds on occasion. I believe it also has alot to do with the pads positioning. The squeaks were also reduced after I had my Front LCA's replaced. Just a thought.
09-15-08, 05:43 AM
#14
Back to the original topic - get the type of pad that the vehicle came with - rotors, calipers even, were designed with that pads harmonics in mind (essentially all a squeak or squeal is, is an undamped vibration in the auditory range)...
09-15-08, 06:15 AM
#15
~SOME~ OEM Lexus pads are ceramic... Not all... Although I don't have the book in front of me, I know for sure that earlier model SC's used semi-metallic pads... Ceramic was not invented to keep brakes quiet, in fact, ceramics usually make more noise than semi-metallic when new... But they don't leave that black nasty dust on your wheels, and they don't tend to wear rotors and such quite as unevenly, so when the brakes are almost worn out, they are typically quieter than semi metallics... Ceramics have good fade resistance, but semi-metallics are typically better... You will not find a ceramic pad on a race track anywhere, I assure you.
Back to the original topic - get the type of pad that the vehicle came with - rotors, calipers even, were designed with that pads harmonics in mind (essentially all a squeak or squeal is, is an undamped vibration in the auditory range)...
Back to the original topic - get the type of pad that the vehicle came with - rotors, calipers even, were designed with that pads harmonics in mind (essentially all a squeak or squeal is, is an undamped vibration in the auditory range)...
Semi-metallics tend to work better, however, they do create more dust and can wear down your rotors quicker. And yes, if you don't know what to use, stick with OEM--you can't go wrong.