Brake Pads/Rotor Questin

[rwest!]

I recently had new front brake pads put on my 92 Eddie Bauer and the my friend who put them on noticed a slight 'groove' on the left front rotor. I saw it with my own eyes and now he's suggesting to get this one rotor cut, but it's not that bad. Now I've been driving with the new pads for a few days and they're squeaking when I stop (but not every stop I stop/apply them) so I'm thinking new pads on a 'worn' rotor will cause this.

I had two mechanics look at the rotor and says that the rotor is fine, it doesn't need to be cut or replaced, but yet I'm still hearing the squeaking and now sometimes when I apply the brake, I hear some grinding. I've had the other brakes/rotors checked out and I was told that they're fine, they don't need to be replaced.

Is this normal, not normal, should I get a third opinion, maybe from a brake specialist? I'm still thinking I should replace that one rotor. Need some input - thanks!

Renee

 

[Robb]

One little line on your rotor is ok. Don't worry about it. You say your friend replaced the brakes, did you happen to see him put any goo on the back of the pads before installing them?

 

[rwest!]

Morrisey0

Goo?....Nope, no goo, but the squeaking/occassional grinding I hear when I stop is still bothering me and I'm up for inspection this month (even though my 1st mechanic says it should pass.

What is the goo for?

 

[Robb]

The goo (sometimes called bluegoo) is put between the pads and the backing shims. Without it, disc brakes will squek and squel. It is an important step in brake replacement and often overlooked.

About the grinding, I don't know.

 

[Goober]

I still Have my original (yes, from the factory) rotors on mine. Bunch of grooves on them and still work fine except for a little shaking when stopping. There at 193,000 now and at 200k, will finally be retired.
The squeaking could also be from the type of pads you are using. I currently have Raybestos Quiet-Stop ( a ceramic type of pad) no squeak, very little brake dust. If you have a semi-metallic pad, this could also cause squeaking.

 

[Ray Hutchinson]

Squeeking and GRINDING?

rwest,

The squeeking could be from the lack of the goo (it's really a "glue" that helps pull the pads back away from the rotors slightly when you let off the brakes). but squeel can be from the pads themselves. Some brands, depending on the composition of the friction material will squeel. Perhaps a different manufacture's pads will cure this. BTW, I've had excellent luck with JC Whitney "Titanium" pads. I never thought I'd be saying that, but since I've installed them several thousand miles ago, I'm a believer. (and no squeel)

Now for the GRINDING. Have you checked your wheelbearings lately They will sometimes squeel when they're just starting to go bad, then will grind as they get worse... just before they seize up and trash your spindles Check the bearings, and repack them if they havent been done in the last 20K miles or so.

 

[rwest!]

Thanks

Guys,

Thanks to those that responded....

Wheel bearings - I didn't those checked out, my first mechanic replaced the ball joints before the pads were replaced and for the life of me and I can't remember what kind of pads, I want to say semi-metallic, but I'm not sure. I'll get the bearings looked at.

I'm just wondering if I would fail inspection because of the squeaking, I know Motor Vehicles checks the brakes but if they squeak and they hear it, will they automatically assume the brakes are no good....I'm going first thing Sat morning so I'll let you know.

Thanks again!

 

[rwest!]

Update!

I just back from inspection at DMV and my truck passed!

I asked about the brakes and the guy said the brakes were fine, no problems - they squeaked a little while they drove it down the line, but obviously I was worried about them for nothing!

And I also checked them and yes, they're semi-metallic so I guess that explains why they sometimes squeak - thanks again to those that responded to my thread.

Renee

 

[96ExplorerV8]

Hey. I don't know if you'd read this but from my experience, it's always good to turn your rotors when you replace your pads. This is because the rotor was in a similar surface to the old pads. When the new pads' surface is different, it can cause the squealing. I hope that your friend even replaced the shims. The brake lube (moly. grease) is the 2nd item that's often overlooked.

So, if I were you I would have the rotor surfaced nicely. This is a rule of thumb that many go by in having squeal-free brakes. Later.

 

[rwest!]

96ExplorerV8

Yes, I did your response and thanks! Now, when you say turn the rotors, that's not the same as cutting them, is it?

Still driving it and it doesn't squeak every single time I stop, but sometimes. As I first started out with this thread, that one rotor was my main concern. I'm due for a oil change the first week of June, I'm going to have my mechanic see about that rotor as well as the shims.

P.S. Anyone who replies to my thread I get an email message letting me know, so thanks again!

Renee