2012 Horrible Squealing From Wheels When Backing Up

[spartanv7]

I'm having a weird problem with high pitched squealing coming from the front passenger side wheel/brake area (I think, it's hard to pinpoint exactly where the sound is coming from because it sounds very dissonant). The squealing only happens when the car has sat for awhile (like say overnight) and when it's put into reverse slowly backing up with the brakes applied. I hear it every morning as my wife leaves for work, but when we try and replicate it for the dealership, it never happens after driving the car for awhile.

Immediately after we first bought the car, we had issues with squeaking when we would turn the wheels. We took it into the dealership probably 5 times to get it resolved. We couldn't replicate that easily either, but finally they determined it was the backing plate behind the rotor and they adjusted it and it went away. Then it came back again and again until finally the 5th time, it went away for what seemed like for good.

The car just recently started making this high-pitched squeal which kind of sounds the same, but is much louder. So, I have no idea if the two are related at all or not. Again, when the car has been driven for a few minutes, this can't be replicated. It requires a long period of time of just sitting there cooling off before it happens again.

The car is stored in a garage where it can get humid in there even in the dead of winter, but this is different than the normal moisture squeak that you sometimes hear from brakes or at least I'm pretty sure because it's LOUD.

I'm at a loss. I might post a video of it if I can remember to take one.

Any suggestions are very welcome!

 

[SHOdded]

How many miles on your SHO? If it makes you feel any better, this is not a Taurus-only problem. The solution for most people has been to change the pad/rotor combo, preferably with a non-Ford brand. Make sure the caliper(s) are serviced properly so that there is no problem with them sticking and causing uneven wear.

 

[spartanv7]

How many miles on your SHO? If it makes you feel any better, this is not a Taurus-only problem. The solution for most people has been to change the pad/rotor combo, preferably with a non-Ford brand. Make sure the caliper(s) are serviced properly so that there is no problem with them sticking and causing uneven wear.

Only 25k on it. :/ I think the only way we can get the shop to even do anything with it is to take a video and show them. Not sure how else I can show them what's going on with it.

 

[Dave]

I get it when I brake the first time I back up after it sits over night. I just ignore it.

 

[SHOdded]

I took a video and full HD audio but the dealership still had no resolution to it. Dave, are you still on stock brakes? For me it happens when it is either cold or humid, and upon first reverse after starting. The rear brakes work harder on these vehicles, so they wear out quicker too.

 

[SHOrod]

As mentioned above, the description does not sound like an uncommon issue. The brakes do a great job of removing anything from the rotor braking surfaces and getting them to a clean, bare metal. While sitting overnight, if there is any humidity in the air at all, a layer of rust will form on the rotor surfaces. You may even get some moisture trapped between the pad and the rotor as the humidity condenses on the warm/hot brakes. I'm not sure why the noise is different in reverse than in drive, but that's been my experience as well. Pulling forward after the car's been sitting and lightly applying the brakes usually causes a rumble like sandpaper on metal until the rust wears away. In reverse it often is a squeal or moan. I suspect the difference has to do with the wear pattern on the leading edge of the brake pads. Since braking normally occurs when the vehicle is moving forward, the typical leading edge of the pad likely has a slightly different pattern to it than the opposite end of the pad, which becomes the leading edge when braking. The factory pads and more expensive aftermarket pads usually have a chamfer on both ends, but there's likely still a difference in wear.

-Rod

 

[spartanv7]

For me it happens when it is either cold or humid, and upon first reverse after starting.

Yes this is exactly how ours behaves as well. I just can't believe how incredibly loud it is. I mean I know moisture and rust and all of that can build up overnight in a damp, cool environment, but this is unlike any other squeaking I've ever heard.

Good to know that you already tried the video thing. I guess that's pointless. Ultimately, the car drives and handles fine. I've inspected the rotors myself and there's nothing weird happening there. I guess I'll just switch to aftermarket when the brakes need to be replaced.

 

[spartanv7]

I get it when I brake the first time I back up after it sits over night. I just ignore it.

Same here. Love those wheels by the way!

 

[spartanv7]

I suspect the difference has to do with the wear pattern on the leading edge of the brake pads. Since braking normally occurs when the vehicle is moving forward, the typical leading edge of the pad likely has a slightly different pattern to it than the opposite end of the pad, which becomes the leading edge when braking. The factory pads and more expensive aftermarket pads usually have a chamfer on both ends, but there's likely still a difference in wear.

That sounds like probably the most reasonable explanation for this. Even though this winter it's been pretty damp in our garage (and it's not heated) there hasn't been any visible rust forming on the rotors themselves. Even my '06 Mustang which has been stored for a couple months now doesn't have any rust on the rotors. Of course that's not to say that there isn't moisture getting trapped between the pad and the rotor because the SHO is getting driven everyday by my wife. It just seems like your leading-edge wear pattern explanation might be the culprit.

 

[Dave]

I took a video and full HD audio but the dealership still had no resolution to it. Dave, are you still on stock brakes? For me it happens when it is either cold or humid, and upon first reverse after starting. The rear brakes work harder on these vehicles, so they wear out quicker too.

Yes stock brakes. Cold and humid is worse. When it's nice and dry out, I usually just get one little squeak.

 

[Grim]

I didn't see this thread until now. Did you find a resolution?

Our car had similar symptoms. It was not the brakes. There was an area where something was scraping the driveshaft when the car was cold. If memory serves, it was very near the transmission. Once the car warmed up, clearance increased and the noise disappeared.

It required four trips to the deal to find the cause.

 

[SHOdded]

Just in case it IS the brakes, I can testify that this problem has been resolved in my case by replacing the rotors & pads with aftermarket product.

 

[AREA 91]

I just diagnosed a similar problem on a new honda accord.
A pad and rotor change on the rear took care of it.

 

[Calgary]

i brought mine to the dealer for this issue and he said that noise is normal i even showed him as i picked it up. im like there it is. "thats normal". I just found this thread i wish i did before i would have done my ebc brake upgrade sooner but now im starting to think i should just sell the car soon. the noises are getting to be to much. (startup metal on metal sound) intermittent noise from the blend doors (ratcheting). now this squeek deal. It starting to feel like a beater already hows this thing gonnna sound with 150000km on it? ive always been a ford guy (never owned a different brand) but this stuff leaves a bad taste in my mouth. guess you get what you pay for.