73-87chevytrucks.com
73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Brakes, Frame, Steering & Suspension => Brakes and Braking Systems => Topic started by: Spool on March 07, 2018, 01:00:52 PM
-
Hey guys.
73' C20 here.
As of lately, my front end appears to be squeaking regularly when driving.
The squeaking stops when I apply the brakes.
I'm thinking this is most likely a job for a mechanic, but I'd like to try and diagnose it first before bringing it into a shop.
Any ideas?
-
This is what it sounds like:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hH-5ftx2eE
Only squeaks in motion, on level ground and especially at low speeds.
And again, it stops as soon as I apply the breaks.
-
To me it sounds like the brakes are loose. And when you apply the brakes it puts pressure on the pads and stops it from squealing
-
Interesting.
I have a brake shop in town that I went to once before off recommendation.
I'll head back and suggest that my brakes are loose and see what they say.
(I hate going in cold to a shop)
Thanks Irish.
-
Pins and sliding points on the caliper could be dry at first thought. Iv’e had chirping/ squealing from calipers from this.
Pad to calipers can rattle / squeal. Disc brake quite fo these points of contact.
Check your brakes pads for condition as well as rotors for condition.
Bearings for condition and end play.
Can’t tell from the vid but good starting point anyways.
-
Thanks Blazer.
Unfortunately I don't have anything to jack the truck up to take the wheel off.
However, I will make this a point of concern when I bring it to the break shop as well.
-
Check your brake pads for condition as well as rotors for condition.
I agree. Sounds like the "squeakers" are dragging the rotors. Maybe time for pad replacement.
-
Hi Spool:
Assuming you dont have any other braking symptoms such as chattering, pedal fade, pedal sponginess, pulling, dragging, excessive pedal effort, or excessive pedal travel, I would agree with others that your front brake pads may be worn to point of replacement. Many brands of pads have a wear indicator which is a little piece of sheet steel attached to the pad which will scrape against the brake rotor when the pad is worn down to the point of recommended replacement. I would describe the noise it makes as a scraping or screeching noise instead of a "squeaking" noise...but maybe this is just semantics. If you are sure the noise is coming from the front suspension then it probably is this wear indicator telling you it is time for replacement.
To be sure, you really have to get a look with one or both front wheels off. Jack that baby up and put some jack stands under the control arm or frame (for safety) and start inspecting the caliper, pads, and disc surface. You are right, you need to have an idea of what is wrong before you take it to a brake shop otherwise they very likely will try to sell you all kinds of repairs on things you dont need if they think you are ignorant of your brakes.
Regards,
Henry
-
Thanks guys,
I'm gonna find the time to take it in towards the end of next week.
Appreciate you all.
-
Sounds like the "squeakers" are dragging the rotors. Maybe time for pad replacement.
This
-
Been sometime since I posted due to school.
Similar to last semester of fall of last year, I disappear for 4 months and then return with the next project.
Regardless, I wanted to update with the fix of my squeaky brakes.
When I took it in, I had my front brake pads replaced as they were fairly thin.
What the mechanic suggested was causing the squeaking was a sensor that he showed me, which was a piece of metal about 1 inch wide and 1/2" thick that sat along side the edge of the old brake pad.
Is this sensor also referred to as a squeakers?
-
Yes, it's designed to alert you to service your brakes before you don't have any.