Squeak when break pedal is released

Tiny
RYANKOLB
  • MEMBER
  • 2006 PONTIAC VIBE
  • 92,000 MILES
On my girlfriend's 2006 Pontiac Vibe she had been noticing a squeak when she releases the brake from a complete stop. I recently drove the car to listen to the issue. Here are the details:

It seems as though the squeak is coming from the rear (driver's side probably, but that could just be bias from sitting in the driver's seat).

The squeak occurs right before the break is completely released, i.E. If I am at a complete stop, the squeak does not happen when I begin to take my foot of the break pedal, only right when my foot is completely coming off the pedal.

It is a single squeak, i.E. The sound probably only last 1/10th of a second. The sound does not change in intensity if I change how hard or lightly I have the break depressed when I am at a complete stop.

The squeak happens when the car is in drive, reverse, and in park (including when the car is turned off). My girlfriend says the squeak occurs most of the time, but not always. I have not driven the car enough since it started happening to really determine how often it does squeak versus does not. However, on rides where it does squeak, it will squeak with each release of the break. For instance, the first time I drove the car after my girlfriend told me about the noise, when we got home, parked and turned off the car, I pumped the brake several times and each time I released the break the squeak happened.

Finally, this squeak does not seem in any way to affect the braking ability of the car (it is breaking fine) nor does it seem to impede the acceleration of the car as it is moving from the complete stop.

Any advice is much appreciated!
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Monday, April 29th, 2013 AT 10:31 AM

2 Replies

Tiny
DUGSMOBILE
  • MECHANIC
  • 38 POSTS
The squeek is pretty comon on rear drums due to rust and corrosion of the backing plates. Occurs when pedal is released and springs pull brake shoes away from drum. There are little pads stamped in the backing plated that the shoes rub against to keep them aligned, all that needs done is to lube the pads when inspecting/ cleaning the rear brakes. Fairly easy task just requires removing the rear wheels and drums, clean and relube the little pads with some (sparingly- don't get it on the shoes) silicone brake grease availible at the parts store in little single use packs. CAUTION: do not touch brake pedal while drums are off, can be disasterous! Hope this helps. DUG
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Monday, April 29th, 2013 AT 11:36 AM
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,689 POSTS
This can happen on any car with drum brakes. The cause is often overlooked by do-it-yourselfers who are replacing the brake shoes but it also occurs later even after professionals do a complete brake job. There are six raised spots on the backing plate called "lands" that the shoes ride on. The squeaking is caused by the shoes sliding on those lands. The proper fix is to pull the shoes away from the backing plate by hand and brush a little high-temperature brake grease on them. "Rusty Lube:" is one trade name but there are many others. They contain molybdenum disulphide which resists migrating around like oil and axle grease do. I've also used "Spray White Lube" from the Chrysler dealer when it was all I had handy. That's a lithium-based grease that goes on juicy so it runs into tight places like door hinges, then the juice evaporates and leaves the grease behind. It also stays where you put it but it won't last as long as brake grease. If you use something like that you have to be careful to not get any on the linings. That can cause a brake squeal or chatter.
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Monday, April 29th, 2013 AT 12:16 PM

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