Brake pads

ManicSquirrel · #1 (**permalink**) 01-24-2009, 12:21 PM

So i've got about 20K miles on my car now, and seem to be getting some squeal now and again and a little rougher braking, time for pads?

also one more quick question. When i am in a drive through with the driver's side facing the wall and the window down, when the car is rolling it almost sounds like there is a light rubbing or something coming from near the front left wheel area. not like a tire rub, almost a mechanical type rub, maybe a bearing or something? maybe the brakes?

carfreak67 · #2 (**permalink**) 01-26-2009, 11:57 PM

You should only need brakes after 20K miles if you really beat on your car.
Otherwise, your brakes should last at least 40K.
But from the noise you described I would pull the wheels and give the brakes a look-see just to make sure you don't have a sticky caliper that caused your pads to wear prematurely.

BTW a buildup of brake dust on your calipers and rotors can cause minor squeaking.

ManicSquirrel · #3 (**permalink**) 01-27-2009, 12:18 AM

i don't drive very hard normally, a lot of highway, but a lot of stop and go traffic, and a lot of hilly country roads. I know some with the 4th gen's have had pads needing replaced early though. They only squeak maybe once every couple of times i drive it, and only right before coming to a stop, and usually it seems to be in a situation where i would have some dust build up.

i'm used to most of the gm's i owned needing rotors turned every 10K miles...so brakes make me paranoid.

Moral of the story, i'm glad a question actually got answered in the tech forum. now how about that creak i get from the wheel well area when the wheel has to be turned full lock in a tight parking situation?

carfreak67 · #4 (**permalink**) 01-27-2009, 04:48 PM

That creak is most likely the turn stop adjustment bolt rubbing on the control arm.

There are bolts that can be adjusted to limit your wheel turn angle when locked one direction or the other.
The head of the bolt contacts a portion of the control are and prevents the wheel/hub assembly from turning too far and causing damage.
When the steering wheel is held in the fully locked position this bolt is pressed against the control arm. Even if the suspension moves very slightly it will cause the bolt to move up or down against the control arm and it may produce a squeak or a groaning noise.
Just don't hold the wheel fully locked to the left or right and you'll never hear the noise.
It's a common noise on just about any vehicle.

ManicSquirrel · #5 (**permalink**) 01-27-2009, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carfreak67 [Only Registered Users Can See LinksClick Here To Register]

That creak is most likely the turn stop adjustment bolt rubbing on the control arm.

There are bolts that can be adjusted to limit your wheel turn angle when locked one direction or the other.
The head of the bolt contacts a portion of the control are and prevents the wheel/hub assembly from turning too far and causing damage.
When the steering wheel is held in the fully locked position this bolt is pressed against the control arm. Even if the suspension moves very slightly it will cause the bolt to move up or down against the control arm and it may produce a squeak or a groaning noise.
Just don't hold the wheel fully locked to the left or right and you'll never hear the noise.
It's a common noise on just about any vehicle.

awesome ,that describes it perfectly when i think about when it does it and on what surfaces. Thanks