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brakes sqeaking bad


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aarongates25
User

Jul 15, 2007, 7:21 PM

Post #1 of 12 (2434 views)
post icon brakes sqeaking bad Sign In

I have a 99 Ford Contour 4 cylinder and I had my back brakes replaced. Everytime I stopped it sqeaks very loud and it is very irritating. I have tried disc quiet and a bunch of other sprays nothing works. Does anybody know what I can use to get my brakes to be quiet? Thanks Wink


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Jul 15, 2007, 7:36 PM

Post #2 of 12 (2432 views)
Re: brakes sqeaking bad Sign In

Did you replace the brakes? I'm guessing that the squeaking is from the new brakes and if so it could be that the pads just have an attitude or perhaps a slight crack that will sing out but brakes will work well. That's more of a problem with worn brakes or if rotors were not replaced. Machining rotors on most cars now is a waste of time as they are so thin to begin with they really can't take being any thinner. Also if machined they have to be cleaned or metal filings get imbedded - usually not a problem but can be.

They do make brake pads that are made to be silent using porcelain. They must meet the OEM specs or they shouldn't be used. My state outlaws selling brake parts not approved by the vehicle's maker. The cheaper stuff used to be better at some things but not allowed or sold here anymore,

T



aarongates25
User

Jul 15, 2007, 9:47 PM

Post #3 of 12 (2431 views)
Re: brakes sqeaking bad Sign In

The brakes and the rotors on the front is fine. The brake shoes on the back are the ones that are making the noise. Is there something that I can put on them to quiet them down. Thanks for responding Tom Smile


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Jul 16, 2007, 6:12 AM

Post #4 of 12 (2428 views)
Re: brakes sqeaking bad Sign In

The best chance of noise control without just replacing what's there now is putting stick on or spray on products to the back of the pads which requires taking them apart. I've had some luck taking them off and lightly sanding the friction surface with like 600 grit sand paper including rotors and cleaning them with brakeclean. Most that acted up once will do so again.

The whole brake hs to be in good condition. The caliper and the slides must be cleaned and lubed with rubber friendly brake lube. This is skipped over no doubt by many and causes problems. There are also anti-rattle clips and parts that are frequently reused which can be fine but new ones with the job makes sense and I don't think most shops do that.

You didn't say if you did this job yourself or not yet. If you did - how much did you do or do you know what a shop did?

I see the ads for brakes - any car $79.00 / axle!! How can anyone/place say that when there is such a wide variety of prices car by car for just pads. They certainly must have a disclaimer in fine print. One brake job I did the pads cost me $75 at dealer wholesale and nothing less expensive was available anywhere. It was a Jaguar.

Another area of common neglect is bleeding out old brake fluid for new as it does get old and dirty, also most folks just push back piston(s) to make room for new pads which just puts dirty fluid back thru any anti-lock hydraulic parts and back to the master cylinder and that should be avoided.

The only best way to know what's going on and to fix this is to take them apart and look at the pads which may show flaws, hot spots etc., and go from there,

T



aarongates25
User

Jul 16, 2007, 8:01 PM

Post #5 of 12 (2425 views)
post icon Re: brakes sqeaking bad Sign In

The back brake shoes are the problem!Not the pads on the front.My wife had them changed about 4 to 5 months ago and since then they have been very irritating.Is there anything I can put on them to quiet them down?


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Jul 16, 2007, 8:10 PM

Post #6 of 12 (2424 views)
Re: brakes sqeaking bad Sign In

Sorry, I figured you had disc brakes in the rear. Doesn't matter that much you still have to look at them. I don't know how Contour does the parking brake which may have something wrong in the replacement of the shoes. Same deal -- they must be looked at and if you want you can clean the friction surfaces with brakecleen but keep that away from rubber parts. I don't think that's it though as they are too new for a lot of dust to have built up and that can make noise but I would describe it as more of a groan than a squeek but possible.

Look for broken hardware while you take a look,

T



aarongates25
User

Jul 16, 2007, 9:33 PM

Post #7 of 12 (2423 views)
Re: brakes sqeaking bad Sign In

Can I take the cover off the drum part so I can check to see if any damage or cracks on the brake shoes?


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Jul 17, 2007, 4:48 AM

Post #8 of 12 (2420 views)
Re: brakes sqeaking bad Sign In

Yes, you can remove the drum for inspection. There are a few ways the drum is held in place and I don't know off the top of my head which way it's done on that car without looking myself.

If you take the wheel off and look at the drum itself it may have phillips bolts, torx, allen or just a threaded hole(s) for removal. Few vehicles just have a pull off by hand drum or rotor anymore. Index the drum to a wheel stud to put it back on the same spot.

You can get in some trouble just doing that and if you are not ready with the tools or the concept I wouldn't do it at all. Why don't you just ask the place that replaced them to look at THEIR work? If I had done the work for you I would take a look while you wait and not charge you with this complaint. If you have a problem with the shop that did the work then that's a problem by itself. These may have to be redone and a good shop will make good on that.

There are cases where parts quality is the problem. The shop should know that and they will get replacement parts for free if there are defects and they can argue with their source about whos responsibility it is. If you go in and mess with them the shop is not going to want to take much responsibility for something you've messed with.

I say take it back to the place that did the work. They should be concerned about it and may change the brand(s) of parts they use if they get enough complaints. Everybody wins,

T



aarongates25
User

Jul 17, 2007, 10:23 AM

Post #9 of 12 (2417 views)
Re: brakes sqeaking bad Sign In

ok I will do that!thanks for the info Tom!


aarongates25
User

Jul 21, 2007, 4:14 PM

Post #10 of 12 (2402 views)
Re: brakes sqeaking bad Sign In

I guess I am going to have to have someone else take them off and lubicant them not taking it back to the people who I took it to. I don't think the mechanics turn the drums at all. I appreciate the advice Tom but I think I am going to have to deal with them until then.


CrashedAgain
New User

Aug 14, 2007, 10:18 PM

Post #11 of 12 (2359 views)
Re: brakes sqeaking bad Sign In

See this: http://www.focushacks.com/index.php?modid=48
It worked for me.
The link is for a Focus by my guess is Contour rear brakes are pretty similar


aarongates25
User

Aug 17, 2007, 9:08 PM

Post #12 of 12 (2348 views)
Re: brakes sqeaking bad Sign In

Smilethanks for the idea!I will certainly give it a try!!!






 
 
 






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