Brakes questions PLEASE HELP!

[rvaedge]

I have a couple of questions actually, and I've searched all over with no clear answer. I have a 1997 AWD.
First are my brakes. I recently replaced the rotors and pads all the way around the x. There has been a chirping noise (first I thought it was a bug in my car) that happens only when I apply the brakes. It is coming from the rear. Could it be missing anti rattle clips or would the chirp only happen when I was NOT applying the brakes if that was the case. I've read stuff about maybe cleaning and lubing the caliper pins, or the rear of the brake pads. I'm not sure what caliper pins are or where I would put lube on the brake pad itself (pictures would help if anyone has them). Anyways, its really annoying, so any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Also my brakes dont seem to be that responsive. I have to apply more pressure than it seems I should have to to get my car to stop, and sometimes I'll find myself creeping forward at a stop light and have to press even harder. Should I try adding brake fluid or even bleeding the brakes or maybe its a the brake booster? I drove my friends new jeep liberty and it brakes at the slightest amount of pressure, while mine takes a lead foot to stop it. Any ideas.
Sorry for the long post its just I really want to get these things fixed asap. Thanks a lot guys

 

[CDW6212R]

It sounds like you should go back and look at all of the brake components. If you didn't bleed a lot of the fluid out, do that. Always remove as much of the fluid in the master cylinder before you start brake work, and top it off with clean fluid. Buy the best fluid that you can afford.

Did any fluids get on the pads, if so the pad material may be contaminated? Lubricants like brake fluid can ruin them. The rear calipers slide on the two bolt sleeves, and the rubber boots should be sealed and not leaking. Anotherwords, there should be nothing in those rear calipers to lubricate.

Be sure that the bolts are tight enough. The front bolts are larger, and should be very tight. The rear are small bolts, and only around 25 lbs.ft. of torque is needed.

Start with those basic things, before thinking something worse is happening. Try to avoid cheap pads, lifetime or not. Buy manufacturers pads, or very high quality brands, top choices. Good luck,
Don

 

[rvaedge]

Thanks for the detailed reply. I really appreciate it! I went through yesterday and did pretty much what you were just saying (except for bleed the brakes completely). I went and pulled as much old fluid as I could out of the master cylinder with a turkey baster thing, and put good fluid in. I pulled the caliper off and the brake pads out to see if I could see something that Didnt look right, everything seemed fine, in its place, pads looked great (they are brand new akebono proact ceramics) rotors looked fine. As for the chirping noise, I think I found the culprit. My ebrake shoes look like they are stuck pushing out just a little even when the ebrake isnt engaged. I'm not sure why it would only rub when I apply the brakes but it seems like that could be what is making the chirping noise. I havent had a chance to drive it around so I'll see if changing that little bit of brake fluid, or maybe just pulling things off and putting them back on make any difference in how the brakes respond (really doubt it, but we'll see). KEEP THE SUGGESTIONS COMING!

 

[CDW6212R]

Those parking brake linings are very thin, a pain to change, and adjustable. I just finished a brake upgrade on a 99 Explorer chassis, including those parking brakes. The pads I found at O'Reillys for about $22. Good luck,
Don

 

[trucku]

If you got new rotors then you need to back the parking brake pads off a little to compensate for the new unworn surface. Maybe when they changed the rotors they had to yank it off, becuase the parking brake was hanging. Happened to me and then they rubbed after I reinstalled rotors.I had to tweak the retainer clips, so the brake shoe would sit flush and not rub drum. have you flushed out all of your brake fluid. If not DO IT!..Your brake pedal will firm up and will respond quickly, providing your not having master cylinder issues.
Man for the last few weeks its been brake issue city.

 

[CDW6212R]

Yep, but it really is the most important part of a vehicle. It is the one subject that everyone should be an expert with. This sharing helps many people I'm sure of. Regards,
Don

 

[rvaedge]

I went through and took off all the emergency brake hardware (shoes, springs, EVERTHING) on both sides. I put the rotors and brake pads back on without the emergency brakes, and the chirping is still there. I have no e-brakes, I've had a mechanic visually inspect the rotors and pads and things are fine there, so I am 99% sure it is not the brakes. The chirping noise becomes audible under the SLIGHTEST amount of pressure applied to the brakes and happens EVERY time I hit the brakes, but seems to quiet down or even go away once i get under about 5mph. I also hear the chirping noise sometimes when I am not braking, but not very often. So I'm going to go ahead and rule out the brakes on this one. Any other ideas. Maybe the ujoint where the driveshaft meets the rear axle. I've also heard bad cvjoints can cause chirping, but I dont think that would occur mostly under braking? I just dont know guys. I've put hours and $$$ into figuring it out and I'm stumped! On a less frustrated note, how do those brake bleeding kits from local auto stores work. Are they any good, or should I just have a mechanic do it?

 

[trucku]

I get a churp when I braked sometimes. I think its my damn sway bar bushings. When you brake and the front dives a bit the bushings churps/squeeks. I hear the damn chirp every time i drive over a speed bump around my house. spray the bushings and everything else you can think of with a good lube and see what happens.
Bleeding brakes are easy. you need some clear tubing to go over the bleeding valve and a bottle filled with some brake fluid. Open your brake resivoir cap. attach tube to bleeding valve and crack it open just slightly. Make sure the other end is submerged in the brake fluid in the bottle. Then go pump the brakes and watch the old fluid come out. after 5 -10 pumps go fill resivoir with new fluid and continue process untill clean new fluid comes out. Then close the valve and go to the next wheel. OH YEAH..start with the right rear wheel, then left rear, right front and finally left front. Its easy to do and your brakes will feel a lot firmer.
Good Luck looking for that noise.

 

[rvaedge]

thanks for the suggestions. I'll try those bushings next time I get to working on it. Is it just the sway bar bushing I need to spray or is there anything else I should try too. Also, what lube should I hit it with. Thanks for the help. I really appreciate it!

 

[trucku]

Good Luck...
Glad if I can help.

 

[DeRocha]

BTW when bleeding brakes do it correctly. If you use a turkey baster and remove too much fluid you will introduce air into the system at its highest point (translation = PITA to remove the air and will need to remove the MC to bench bleed it). I never remove any fluid from the master cylinder; I just top off the fluid in the master cylinder with new fluid and have a buddy depress the brake when I open up a bleeder valve. Before he releases the pedal I tighten up the bleeder to prevent air from being sucked back in. I keep up this process until clear fluid runs out of the bleeder valve. During the entire process I constantly monitor the fluid level in the master cylinder and top off when necessary (every 3-4 pushes).

Brake fluid will degrade over time and gradually become discolored as it extracts moisture from the air. This moisture and cause internal brake problems and rust the system from the inside out... Take everyone's advice and bleed your brakes very well.

 

[rvaedge]

Thanks for the info. Hopefully I didn't screw anything up (wouldnt be suprised if I made the problem worse) When I have a little bit of time, I'm going to try to tackle bleeding the brakes. I got a chiltons manual from the library so I'll make sure I do it right. Thanks again guys!