Will the Squeal Ever End??

[johnsonsnb]

Hi folks,

I'm now on to my second Ranger, a 2009 4x4 sport. I'm really liking it over the old 1993 that I had, but the front brake squeal is driving me crazy, and it's somewhat embarrassing with a new vehicle.

Here's the story:

When applying the brakes lightly, there is a brake squeal. No biggie, I thought; it's a new truck, and it needs time for the pads to seat / break-in. Well, 8600km later, there's no change. So, I decided to take it in to the dealer, and according to them, it's 'normal', and hopefully will come out of it soon. They offered to tear it apart at the next service interval if it's still doing it, and they also offered to replace the pads with aftermarket if I really can't stand the noise.

I know that the manufacturers have had to go to a stronger metallic pad in recent years, but is anyone else encountering the same problem, and if so, has anyone determined the best way to deal with it? According to the dealer, they have trucks that leave the lot that are squealing.

Thanks folks!

 

[ZMan]

you may just need different pads. I changed the front brakes on my Buick more than 10k miles ago and they still squeal. I can't hear it now because I keep my windows up in the winter, but in the summer its rather annoying, I may change them once it warms up again.

 

[Captain Caveman]

My 2007 Ranger had the EXACT same problem. I took it into the dealership probably four times. They would deglaze the brakes, changed a few things, but always said that everything was fine. They blamed the lack of asbestos in the brakes. Either way I didn't care. I eventually had it out with the service manager after sending a letter to him and Ford. In the end, they agreed to put ceramic pads on my front brakes (on their nickel).

I have never been happier. The brakes don't squeak when I'm coming to a stop at intersections. Nobody stares at me because they think I'm driving on worn pads. I only get the tiniest squeak every once in a while, when the brakes are first applied in the morning....normal.

Ceramic brakes -- ceramic brakes -- ceramic brakes

Don't let Ford off the hook. They shouldn't be putting out vehicles with shoddy parts.

 

[exbass94]

My 06 does it, and has been doing it since last year . Bothers the crap out of me. I'll check it out in the springtime.

 

[Cooker]

My 08 does the same thing, thanks for the ceramic pads tip.

 

[johnsonsnb]

Thanks for the idea re: ceramic. Any recommendations on a good quality set?

 

[PickupMan04 FX4 L2]

Napas Adaptive ones..