embarrassing rear brake squeal

[93greenSHO]

I recently tried to replace my rear strut mounts, but due to the lack of adequate tools and patience, I gave up. In the process, I replaced my rear right caliper bracket because the slides were rusted. Ever since then, that right rear brake decides to squeal. It usually does it when the brakes are cool and the volume of the squeal varies from slight nuisance to downright embarrassing. Can anyone shed some light on this? My guess is now that the slide works fine, the caliper piston is stuck and therefore causing the noise. Does that make sense? Any help would be awesome because it's DRIVING ME NUTS!!!

 

[1993MTXSHO]

maybe the new pads have to get broken in a little? Did you even replace the pads?

 

[93greenSHO]

No, I used the same pads. Should I have replaced the rear brakes? Does the right rear caliper need to be replaced too?

 

[SHOZ123]

It takes a while for the pads to get worn down to full contact after taking them out. Especially if they got reversed.

Is the pad making full contact with the rotor? You can tell by the shiny area.

 

[93greenSHO]

As far as I know, I think so. Could reversed brake pads be the problem? They looked identical. If that's the case, will switching the pads again end this horrible noise?

 

[SHOZ123]

Well I've never been able to get the pads to match back up after taking it all apart. I would look at the wear pattern and see. Check both sides.

Also there could be something not set right too with the pads. Wouldn't hurt to take it all apart and recheck everything. Where there shims for the outsides of the pads?

 

[93greenSHO]

I think there were shims. My dad swept the garage and driveway so it's probably long gone by now. Is there anything I can do short of replacing both sides?

 

[SHOZ123]

If money is a problem then take it apart and see if you can tell what the problem is. Or go to AutoZone and get lifetime warranted calipers and some good pads for about $150.

 

[Daedalus]

I have the same problem on my Gen II (which I think has the same rear brakes). The boot on my caliper piston was torn, allowing dirt etc inside and apparently causing the piston to stick. I unstuck the piston and turned it back in, and it stopped squealing for a few trips to work and back, but now it's squealing again. I'll be replacing the right rear caliper this afternoon, I'll let you know if it fixes the problem.

I found out which brake it was by "shooting" all four rotors with an infrared thermometer immediately after I got home from work. At the same point on the rotors, the right rear rotor was over 30 F hotter than the left one (84F on the left vs. ~120 on the right).

It is quite irritating and can be embarrasing at times.

Are the rear brake pads supposed to be shimmed? Mine weren't.

 

[shosound]

I have the same issue. I replace one of my rear calipers on my 2nd Gen. Now everytime I get in the car in the morning it squeels like **** for the first few brake applications. I dug into it one day and found nothing bad so for now I'm just hitting them hard after backing up and ending it quickly. Still stops just fine, can't figure out why it does it.

 

[Daedalus]

Got a Raybestos caliper ("friction ready w/ bracket") for $55 plus $70 core from a local parts store with my "good guy" discount. I should be able to get it in tonight.

 

[hawkeye18]

hey uh, I don't mean to sound like a smartass (even though I'm wearing a shirt that says I am!), but did you check the rotor dust shield? I only ask this because after I replaced my front suspension and put the brakes back together... I got a horrible squeal as well, it was friggin' embarassing. Looked and looked and looked... couldn't figure it out. Finally had to take it back to the hobby shop to take the brakes back apart... the dust shield had gotten bent and was contacting the rotor... it sounded like locked brakes on a train because it basically *was* locked brakes on a train.

So before you go buying new calipers and all that, make sure your dust shields are where they're supposed to be!

But I see you already bought a caliper... so all I can say is I hope that's it!

good guy = military? if so, which branch?

 

[93greenSHO]

I'll try that. When I get a chance, I'll look at the dirt shield. That DOES make sense now that you brought it up. I'll let you all know later this week because I have school until late in the evening so I may not be able to check it out until Thursday or Friday. Thanks for the suggestions!

 

[Daedalus]

I had checked the dust shields, they were fine. I can see how that would cause a problem, though.

I swapped the caliper over, everything is great now. Nice and quiet!

"good guy" = one of the managers at the company I work for is the brother of the guy who owns the parts shop.