By Stephen on Wednesday, August 08, 2001 - 04:02 pm: Edit

My rear brakes are squeeking when I apply them to stop - they start to make the noise at anything below 5mph . I took off the rear wheels and cleaned out a whole bunch of crud with a garden hose and it made a bit of a difference but it's still there...
Should I take out the pads from the unit to clean inside there - or is this a waste of my time? Suggestions? Pads still show lots of life left.

By A on Thursday, August 09, 2001 - 03:29 am: Edit

Someone here suggested making shims out of a coke can (cut to match the pad) and putting that behind the pads. Please post if you try it and it works. I have the same problem with brand new pads.

By jason on Thursday, August 09, 2001 - 03:33 am: Edit

try removing the pads and scuffing them with sandpaper. that will break the glaze on the pads and get them to set in again. Has worked for me many a time on other vehicles. I would be doing it on my own squelling disco if I could get the lugs off. Maybe this weekend i'll get around to buying a 1 1/16" impact socket

By Carl E. Cederholm on Thursday, August 09, 2001 - 04:05 am: Edit

The same thing just happened to me, 13,000 miles, squealing rear brakes. I did exactly as Jason recomends, the problem is gone,....for now.
Pick up a can of brake cleaner and blast all the parts when you have the pads off to get the dust out of there.
Carl
99 D2

By warner@vnet.net on Wednesday, August 29, 2001 - 04:00 pm: Edit

Back when I was a motorcycle mechanic we would take squealing pads from dirt bikes and lightly bead-blast them. Worked great.

By Mike B. on Wednesday, August 29, 2001 - 06:14 pm: Edit

In addition to everything else mentioned here, they make a product called Stop Squeal. You put it on the back of the pads and it works like a sponge to stop the pads from vibrating. I got mine from NAPA for $3.50 (it's Orange in case I got the name of the product slightly incorrect). Also, they make small metal pads with adhesive on the back that are called brake shims that can go on the back of the brake pads to make them sit as a slight angle. This will also help the pads to stop vibrating. I got some from Discount Auto Parts for $.50. I will try them when my brakes start squealing.

I used tons of the Stop Squeal and mine only squeak after about 1/2 day of off-roading. It goes away after I rinse the brakes out with water.

I hope this helps.
Thanks,
Mike B.