Brake Squeal - can't get rid of it

[Idaho Ranger]

2003 Ranger FX4 - all stock - 4wd.

Couple months ago, I changed the pads and rotors on the front axle since the pads were about worn out and the rotors couldn't be machined. After changing them, I had a terrible squeal when applying the brakes (I can't remember if I was getting a squeal before I changed them or not). I figured that it was dirt or something between the pads and rotors, so I took them off a couple times and cleaned everything with brake cleaner. Still squeals.

I was going to buy some new pads, but when I told the guy at the parts store, he thought it might be the calipers. He was thinking that maybe there was some vibrations in there that caused the squeal. I put some brake grease on the backs of the pads and that seemed to help a little bit for awhile, but it got just as bad again.

This weekend, I finally got tired of the squealing and sprung for the calipers. I got finished installing them and took it out for a spin. It seems to stop better now, but I still have a squeal. Doesn't seem to do it until the brakes heat up. First couple stops, it doesn't squeal, but after that, it just gets plain embarrassing - not to mention how torqued off I am at having just spent that $$ for nothing!

The squeal occurs when you put a little bit of pressure on the brakes or a lot and everywhere in between. I didn't get the best brake pads when I got them, but then again, I didn't get the cheapest, either. I'm once again thinking on springing for new pads or else just taking it into a shop because I'm getting tired of messing with it.

Has anybody else had this issue or have any ideas?

Thanks for your help!

Doug

 

[Toms01PSD]

What rotors and pads did you buy? I bought Valucraft rotors and pads and I had a squeal. I took them off, took them back, and bought Duralast rotors and Duralast Gold brake pads and the squeal went away. Just an idea...

 

[TRX501RYAN]

i used some red stuff on my brakes, that you apply o the beack of the pads, it dries up like a silicon and is suppose to prevent brake squeal is called brake quiet or something comes in a some what clear tube with a nozzle on top and is red in color ill get the name next time im in the shop. i just did my brakes, and they are working perfect knock on wood,

 

[98 ranger xlt]

i used some red stuff on my brakes, that you apply o the beack of the pads, it dries up like a silicon and is suppose to prevent brake squeal is called brake quiet or something comes in a some what clear tube with a nozzle on top and is red in color ill get the name next time im in the shop. i just did my brakes, and they are working perfect knock on wood,

They usually give you some at autozone when you buy pads

 

[Toms01PSD]

They usually give you some at autozone when you buy pads

Ya, but it doesn't work 100% of the time.

 

[Idaho Ranger]

Thanks for the replies. I did put some sort of brake grease on the backs of the pads, it was a small green package that I picked up at Schucks/Kragen. It seemed to quiet it for about 5 minutes.

Anyway, I'm just going to get a quality set of pads. I don't remember what pads I got last time, but when I ripped the brakes apart, one of the backing plates on a pad came off. Quality If new pads don't fix it this time, its going into the shop.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I put Napa pads on my F-150 thinking that they can't be too bad, they were the normal ones and nothing fancy.

They would squeak and squeal, just made a racket, I put the orange goo on the back... still did it, I roughed up the pads on a cement block thinking they were glazed... still did it, turned the rotors... still did it. Out of sheer disgust I broke down and Motorcraft pads on it, 2 years later and it still stops like a new truck hot off of the car hauler.

 

[Idaho Ranger]

Thought I'd provide an update here. I bought a set of the Duralast Gold pads and just got around to installing them today. I drove the truck all over town this afternoon with no squealing!

I noticed that the Duralast pads were somewhat thicker than the ones that I had before.

Thanks for all of your help!

Doug

 

[Ranger44]

What most people don't realize, is that metallic pads squeak. Especially cheap ones. That's why some manufactures have gone to softer organic pads, which leave lots of brake dust, and wear faster. Now you have people complaining about that. It's a viscious cycle.

 

[Toms01PSD]

Thought I'd provide an update here. I bought a set of the Duralast Gold pads and just got around to installing them today. I drove the truck all over town this afternoon with no squealing!

I noticed that the Duralast pads were somewhat thicker than the ones that I had before.

Thanks for all of your help!

Doug

 

[zen]

same squeal, different truck

this is late reply, but the issue still remains - persistent and annoying low speed squeal, brakes on or off. Unfortunately
I tried many different types of pads along with new rotors, new calipers, new brake hardware, 'red-stuff' (anti vibration silicone on the backing), etc...
organic pads seemed better, but still not squeal-free.
Been a problem for about 2 yrs on my 2001 - my only solution so far is to keep the windows rolled up.

 

[aspevacek]

soemthing to consider is BG makes a stop squel you put on the face of the pad. It is a graphite based additive to semi lubricate the pads for initial break in. You want to run a bedding process on your pads do serveral slow stops from 35 MPH down to 15mph with out coming to a full stop. After that bring the vehicle to a complete stop and park it until the brakes have fully cooled off. I find that doing a proper bedding on brake pads help reduce alot of the squel that people expreience.

What is causeign your pads to squeel is the vibration of the pad between the rotor adn the piston on the brake caliper, anti seize is a good thing to put on the out edge of the pad backign plate where it slides on the caliper mount. that is also anothe rlocation where vibrations can occur and cause a squeeling sound. check all the hardware that came with the truck originally an densur eall pads have anti squeel plates on the back if the originals did. check the caliper moutns and see if the small shims are in place where the pads slide an amount of clearance out side of factory specs will leave room for things to make noises they should not be making.

Ceramic pads is a good way to get away from the noise that can be caused with semi metalic pads. Quality rotors with a real nice finish to start with ( cross hatching ) will allow the pads to get a better bedding. ensure the rotors even tho brand knew are true a syou install them on the vehicle. a slightly warped rotor even if it can not be felt while braking can cause a squeel.

So as you can see from what I have posted there are alot of factors that go into causeing brakes to squeel. I would not have swapped out the calipers because of brake squeel. therre is a logical reason to the noise be it poor quality pads, metalic pads in a high humidty area, slightly warped rotors. Improper bedding of pads could lead to glazing of rotors givign a squeel as well. The list could go on forever. IF someone drives an automatic 2 footed and covers the brake pedal it could cause a slight drag of the pads agains tthe rotors and cause them to make noise., this one took m ere bedding brakes on a 325i for a customer 3 times ot figur eout how the brakes were getting glazed in les sthen a week. After test driving the car and watching them drive i figured out what was causeing it and expalined the way fo rthem to fix it was to drive the car the proper way.

 

[zen]

Figured out mine too!

this is late reply, but the issue still remains - persistent and annoying low speed squeal, brakes on or off. Unfortunately
I tried many different types of pads along with new rotors, new calipers, new brake hardware, 'red-stuff' (anti vibration silicone on the backing), etc...
organic pads seemed better, but still not squeal-free.
Been a problem for about 2 yrs on my 2001 - my only solution so far is to keep the windows rolled up.

After searching tons of forums and posts I noticed many Ford owners have issues with the ABS - most of the issues seem to be the truck wont move after the brakes warm up - so I got the bright Idea to disable my ABS by unplugging the connector on the CM by the master cyl. - I have not heard a peep of squeal i2 2 full days of driving... Th ABS must be putting some light residual pressure on the front brakes - just enough to cause a slight drag...
I will get the ABS replaced in the next few weeks, but man, what a royal pain of a problem... At least the diagnosis didn't cost anything. I'm sure the ABS will - looks like about $80 for the CM or $300 for a rebuilt CM with pump/motor.

 

[Dugan]

Even though autozone parts are a joke, their brake pads are lifetime warranty.. dont ask me why but I use to work there and we handed them out like water

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

this is late reply, but the issue still remains - persistent and annoying low speed squeal, brakes on or off. Unfortunately
I tried many different types of pads along with new rotors, new calipers, new brake hardware, 'red-stuff' (anti vibration silicone on the backing), etc...
organic pads seemed better, but still not squeal-free.
Been a problem for about 2 yrs on my 2001 - my only solution so far is to keep the windows rolled up.

Mine came back in the meantime as well, I put on new rotors and the "blue" carquest pads and it is still doing it. Mine is only with the brakes on though.

My Ranger has the same grade of pads and is silent, always has been.

The calipers are not hanging up, new pads and rotors did not fix it... it is really disgusting.