Brakes and rotors

Tiny
UCANTHIDE
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 MINI
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 91,566 MILES
I recently changed the front brakes and rotors on my 2003 Mitsubishi Montero because of studdering when I stopped and squeaking. Since the first day after changing the brakes there is still a squeaking noise coming from the front end of my car. What does that mean.
Sunday, June 5th, 2011 AT 6:28 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 34,330 POSTS
If the squeaking occurs during braking, there are a lot of things professionals do during a routine brake job to prevent that, and there are some things do-it-yourselfers can do to cause that. If the squeaking occurs all the time or when driving over bumps and potholes, it is likely to be suspension-related. Your best bet for that is an inspection at a tire and alignment shop. They will look at ball joints, tie rod ends, control arm bushings, anti-sway bar links, etc. If the noise doesn't occur all the time, you can help them by figuring out how to make it occur so they can duplicate it.
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Sunday, June 5th, 2011 AT 7:07 PM
Tiny
UCANTHIDE
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Thank you for your reply. The squeaking happens during braking and has steadily gotten worse since the front rotors and brakes were changed. The mechanic told us that the brakes will squeak for a while and to come back in a month and he will change them for free. I have never heard squeaking like this after my brakes and rotors were changed. I think this mechanic is trying to take advantage of me and I have a feeling the he is going to try and tell me that my back brake pads are bad even though I know they are good.
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Sunday, June 5th, 2011 AT 7:23 PM
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 34,330 POSTS
One problem that some people are running into is higher-quality brake pads actually squeal more because they have a harder lining material. Sometimes that will stop as they wear in and mate to the microscopic grooves in the rotors, sometimes the noise gets worse. If the noise wasn't there before the recent brake work, be polite but insist they recheck their work. As I mentioned, there are a lot of things they can do to prevent squeals, but sometimes those things are done later when addressing a "comeback". If they can't stop the noise, I can list a few things they can do in case they aren't aware of them already. When I taught Brakes class, we spent a lot of time discussing these things to stop noises.
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Sunday, June 5th, 2011 AT 8:38 PM

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