Rear Brake Squeal

[Blackdr16]

Hi all. So I've done a ton of research but haven't seen where this has been an issue (with same symptoms) for others. So here goes...

2011 SHO with 52,000 miles. Non-PP. About 10,000 miles ago started experiencing rear brake squeal. (Mainly drivers side rear that i noticed, although I can verify now both sides in the rear are squealing) Replaced pads as most likely culprit. Original pads still had 75% life and nothing looked out of ordinary. Greased sliders, calipers screwed back in normally. Wasn't even 200 miles later the squeal returned. I noticed the squeal would start and stop as I banked to the left and then to the right. Suspected wheel bearing at that point. I had bought the extended warranty so I took it in to the dealer a few months ago. They verified the drivers side rear wheel bearing was worn out and replaced it. Squeal was gone for another month (Approx 500-1000 miles) The squeal then returned again intermittently. Called dealer and of course the squeal stopped the day before taking it in, but after the service manager drove it a couple days the squeal returned on the left side. They replaced the whole rotor assembly which included caliper, bracket and rotor. They drove it for another couple days before I picked it up with no squeal. After driving it another 100 miles the squeal has returned and I can tell its on both sides currently. The squeal once again starts and stops when I bank very slightly to the left and then right. I'm suspecting defective wheel bearings on both sides, however convincing the dealer hasn't been easy. It goes back in to the dealer early next week, but looking for any opinions from others who may have experienced the same issue and what the fix was.

Thanks!

 

[SHOdded]

You have had the tires/wheels/alignment checked? Would also recommend having the RDU checked for fluid loss/proper function, though usually the sound would be more of a whine or a "hoot". Try aftermarket pads if all else fails, because OEM pads can sometimes not work well even with OEM rotors.

 

[Blackdr16]

You have had the tires/wheels/alignment checked? Would also recommend having the RDU checked for fluid loss/proper function, though usually the sound would be more of a whine or a "hoot". Try aftermarket pads if all else fails, because OEM pads can sometimes not work well even with OEM rotors.

SHOdded - yes, the alignment has been checked and verified 2 out of the 3 times its been at the dealer. I havent checked the RDU fluid yet although I need to in the near future just for peace of mind. The brake pads are aftermarket semi-metallic lifetime pads from Advance. (Same result as the OEM ones that were originally on there). I forgot to add the squeal is a constant high pitched squeal until you hit the brakes then the squeal stops until releasing the brake pedal. I have also checked myself for any foreign material stuck in between the rotor/pads, caliper assembly, didnt find anything.

 

[SHOrod]

Are you absolutely certain the noise is from the rear brakes? If you're good with the parking brake pedal you could try lightly and slowly engaging the parking brake to confirm the rear are the source of the noise since the parking brake would only apply the rear pads.

-Rod

 

[Blackdr16]

Are you absolutely certain the noise is from the rear brakes? If you're good with the parking brake pedal you could try lightly and slowly engaging the parking brake to confirm the rear are the source of the noise since the parking brake would only apply the rear pads.

-Rod

SHOrod - I'll try that when I leave work - If the squeal happens on my short drive home. Seems to start squealing about 10 miles into any given trip and doesn't stop until its sat for a few hours. I have tried hanging my head out the window and can with 99% certainty say its coming from the rear...

 

[SHOdded]

It's very strange, with all the repairs done, the squeal should go away if brake related. If sitting overnight and have a grinding noise in AM, usually due to light rust on the rotors. But banking left and noise, banking right no noise ... makes me think more suspension/tire related.

 

[Blackdr16]

So it did it on my home from work. When applying parking brake the squeal goes away. Definitely driveline vs static parts moving farther then normal tolerance, I'm really thinking wheel bearing as banking side to side very slightly changes from ear piercing squeal to silence...

 

[Blackdr16]

Update: Car is now at the dealership...see if they can pinpoint it

 

[SHOrod]

Interesting, please let us know if they find anything concrete this time. Since applying the parking brake caused the noise to go away it definitely would seem you're focused in the correct area.

-Rod

 

[Blackdr16]

Will keep you posted, they still haven't found the source of it as of this morning

 

[jwade1977]

I get the squeal after some heavy braking (long down hills and stuff). My squeal also goes away with some braking. My brakes also sound horrible (grinding and pulsating) with heavy use like above. I just assumed it was a pad hanging on the rotor or something. I know there are TSBs for brakes, but they're not a free fix for me so I haven't bothered pursuing the fix. I also have a 2011 non PP with 49k miles and at least 75% pad left. I'd be very interested in what the problem was.

 

[Blackdr16]

I'll let you know...as of yet they still havent figured it out. Dealers can take soooo long sometimes lol. As long as it doesnt squeal when I get it back i dont care if it takes a month.

 

[Blackdr16]

Just got my car back from the dealer after almost a month. They replaced back brake pads and turned one of the rotors which had a little bit of a lip on it. I'm not real confident the issue is resolved, I already replaced the pads 6 months ago to deal with the squeal the very first time I heard it. The dealership left the ticket open on it so thats good. I'll let you all know if the squeal comes back.

 

[Blackdr16]

Squeal came back not even a week later. But now I have a bigger problem lol. Wife got rear ended while driving it the other night. So guess once the rear bumper damage is fixed I'll spend some time tracking down the noise. Anybody have new ideas?

 

[bpd1151]

Rear calipers have been known to fail. Particularly the piston itself.

The rubberized boot around the piston would degrade/decompose, crap then gets in there, & the piston wouldn't necessarily completely seize, but it would stick periodically.

Thus in turn applying light (& unintended) pressure on the pad, which would ride the rotor.

Probably explains the lip you had developed. Have 'em check travel of the rear pistons on those calipers.

 

[Blackdr16]

I'll check the passenger side one, they did replace the drivers side rear caliper already. It sounds like the noise is still coming from the drivers side rear tho. Its funny how sounds and where they come from can be deceiving so I'll pull the wheel off and check the other side just in case.

 

[Blackdr16]

UPDATE: Dug into drivers side rear brake last night and found a few things that I believe caused the squeal. When I took the caliper off I found the front pad was jammed in the bracket due to the clips not placed correctly. There was alot of junk in between the back side of the clips and the caliper bracket. There was mating surfaces that had no grease, although i think that could have contributed I dont think it was the main issue. The front pad being jammed into the bracket so hard it took some major prying to get it released. Once the clips were cleaned off, and everything was greased up the pad moved normally within the clips. (Snug, not loose by any means but normal) So far so good, keeping fingers crossed. Seems to me the front pad being jammed wouldn't release at all being help tightly against the face of the rotor which even tho it only needs to release by a micro amount, still was pressing slightly on the surface which caused the squeal at times. Also explains why it would come and go, and why all the parts the dealer replaced didn't fix it. (Basic 101, dont overlook the simple stuff) I'm guessing the change in why it would squeal and then not squeal when banking left/right is the bearing will have micron play in it, which if the pad is completely jammed into a static position will keep it from moving at the slightest when there is no brake pressure. Hoping this issue stays resolved, After driving all last night and this morning with everything quiet I'm confident this was the culprit.

 

[SHOdded]

Nothing like getting hands-on with your ride Well done!

 

[Shohobo]

Impessive...as a newbie here this is awesome that u all worked together patiently, shared knowledge and experience...so glad to have found this forum...just hope I don't have to come to this to figure out any SHO issues with my new ride...Blackdr16...I hope ur vehicles brake issues r over. ..Bravo all.

 

[Blackdr16]

Almost a month later and over 1,000 miles and brakes still quiet woohoo!