Repair Topics / Brake Pads-1 / Brake Pads-2 / Brake Pads-3 / Brake Pads-4 / Brake Pads-5 / Brake Pads-6 / Brake Pads-7 / Brake Pads-8

• Find out how a ABS Brakes work

• How to Change Brake Pads

• Brake Light Question

Car Brake Pads Questions and Answers

This category contains featured questions as examples. They relate to most vehicles.

Question: 2000 Pontiac Bonneville 3800_mileage: 60,000. I recently, 4 days ago, had rotors turned and brake pads replaced on the front and rotors replaced on the rear. I noticed a major squeak or chirp in the brakes when I applied the brake the squeal or chirp would go away. Also when I turned to the left the noise would go away. If I drive straight or turn to the right it is a loud squeal or chirp chirp chirp chirp chirp. I also hear something rubbing at very low speeds. I called the place that did the brake job and they said the new rotors needed to seat themselves and that I should drive it for awhile. I know I am female but I am not stupid, I know when something is wrong with my vehicle. I need some advice please. Thanks

Answer: The brake pads that were installed were probably aftermarket pads; in other words, not from the original manufacturer of your car. As to the intermittent chirping sound, have the brake rotors checked to make sure that they are running true...that they were machined properly.

Question: 1999 Chevy S-10 4.3 mileage: 32,000. Just replaced factory brake pads with Raybestos Brute Stop Carbon Enhanced pads. Rotors were still in good shape, no blue marks or deep grooves. I scuffed rotor surfaces with 80 grit sand paper and applied anti-squeak to back of pads. Also used the supplied stick-on pads to the backs of the pads and installed locating clips to the inner pads. After about 4 miles, pads started squeaking under braking. I pulled the calipers back off, adjusted tabs on outer pads so that they WILL NOT rock or pivot in the caliper. I used anti-seize on all rubbing blocks and caliper pins. After five days, the squeaking has gotten worse. The truck stops better than before, but the squeaking is driving me nuts. Is this grade of brake pad not good with my vehicle? Could the pads be too hard for the rotors? Should I have the rotors turned, and if so should I have a slight groove cut into the rotors to keep pads from moving? Please help with some ideas...

Answer: Sounds like your problem is the brake pads. Although they may be high performance, they come at a price, they do squeak. Try replacing them with a standard replacement pad from a major manufacturer.

Question: 1999 Plymouth Breeze 4 cylinder mileage: 80,000.  I had my front brake pads replaced in October, 1999.  Ever since then, my brakes have not felt right.  They kind of feel warped?  I took it back to have them look at it again and they said it sounds like a brake problem and when I told them that they just replaced my brakes a few months ago, after looking at it, they decided that my problem was not a brake problem and that they didn't know what was causing the problem but that it was not a brake problem.  Today, I took my car to another repair place and they told me that whomever did my original brake job cut my rotors too thin.  He said 2500's to 3000's under the legal spec. and that my rotors are bad and need to be replaced.  Is it possible to cut them too thin, and if so, what problems could that cause.  And is there a way to know and/or prove that they were cut too thin?      Thank you so much for this service.  I have no clue about this stuff!

Answer:   It is possible to machine the rotors too thin.  Stamped on the rotor is a minimum thickness they should be machined to.  If the rotors are machine below the minimum thickness, the brakes will not dissipate the heat and warping of the rotors can occur. If your brake rotors are to thin they need to be replaced.

Question:   2004 Lexus GS 430 mileage: 54,000.   How do you take the brake pads loose from the front wheel ?

Answer:    To remove the brake pads, remove the caliper assembly free of the rotor and then remove the pads from the caliper assembly.

Question:   2004 Ford Explorer 98,000.  Front passenger brake pads wear out before all others!  Have had to replace that rotor twice.  Last time I replaced rotor (with only 10k miles on it) also replaced front caliper and pads all the way around.  After about 5000 miles, front passenger pads completely worn and rotor badly grooved.   There is no pull to the right and seems to be no drag.  I know there has to be some brake applied to that wheel all the time but can't feel it in handling until its too late and pads and rotor is gone!   Truck is equipped with ABS. Any suggestions?

Answer:   Check to see that the caliper slides are free and not hanging up.  In addition, check to make sure that the master cylinder is allowed to fully return. Make sure you always use Ford brake pads

Question:  2003 Ford Explorer 4x4 mileage: 120,000.   For the past year or so I have be plagued with rapid front Disc pad wear.   This week I replaced the front calipers & pads, also replaced the rear wheel cylinders and did a complete brake fluid bleed.  I notice when driving that the front brakes are getting "smoking hot" while the rear drums can be touched and barely feel warm.  I adjusted the rear shoes correctly, but still the front pads are getting "very" hot.  Where should I be looking next?  Is there something that is not allowing the rear brakes to do their share of the work?  Help.

Answer:   Your problem is a master cylinder that is not fully returning, remove master cylinder to replace with new unit. Bleed to adjust as needed.

Question:   1999 Dodge Grand Caravan  mileage: 40,000. Hi, Bob and Ken: You're doing a great job.  I am impressed.   It seems like I have to keep getting the brakes replaced in this van. Most of my driving is around town, stop and go type of driving, but I was told at one time that I am a conservative braker. It is getting expensive!

Answer:   You might try a set of higher quality brake pads. They cost a little more but you get much better wear from them.

Question: 2004 Pontiac Sunfire mileage: 104,500.  Recently I noticed squealing front disc brakes they only squeal with my foot off pedal & if I press brake pedal about a 1/2 in the squeal disappears.  I have brakes & they work fine but there is something wrong - squealing is super loud on the freeway & embarrassing to drive.  Sometimes, rarely, it will go away for a few seconds though.  What is going on & how do I fix the problem.  I bought car from car lot 2-22-99.

Answer:  Replacing the front brake pads should fix your problem.

Question: 1999 Ford/Mustang GT 5.0L mileage: 53,000.   I am replacing the rear brake pads and I can't seem to press in the caliper puck with a C-clamp (my normal method). I believe the emergency brake cable is the culprit.   Is there an adjustment that will allow the caliper to press in?

Answer: The rear brake caliper can be reset by turning it clockwise.

Question:   2002 Toyota 4 Runner mileage: 43,000.  My rear brakes are squeaking and I am assuming that the pads just need changing.  A shop in the area quoted me over $100 for the repair, but the parts should only cost me about $40-$50 at a local auto parts store.  I would like to repair them at home, but am a little worried because my vehicle is a 4WD vehicle.  Does this make any difference when replacing the brake pads?  Are there any specific things I should look for when doing this repair (my boyfriend will be helping and he has replaced pads on other vehicles before)?  Any help is appreciated!

Answer:    Replacing the brake pads on your car would be about the same replacing them on  most other cars.

Repair Topics / Brake Pads-1 / Brake Pads-2 / Brake Pads-3 / Brake Pads-4 / Brake Pads-5 / Brake Pads-6 / Brake Pads-7 / Brake Pads-8

Replace Air Filter

Check Engine Light