Front brake noise normal ?

Question

had new front discs and pads fitted to my Ford Focus last November at a main Ford dealer in Devon. However during the MOT in July it was found that the front discs were distorted so the car failed.

As I had 12 months guarantee on the brakes fitted last November I went back to them and said they shouldn't have gone after only 4000 miles. They measured the discs and agreed they were distorted and that was what had caused the brake judder through the steering wheel. They only replaced the discs this time. Now when I drive the car either first thing in the day or initially after it has sat for a while and apply the brakes, I notice some squeaking from the brakes which seems to disappear once I have driven a mile or so.

Do you think this is normal and if not should I go back to the garage again ??

Thanks

ps What do you think could have caused the premature distortion of the discs after only 4000 miles and do you think it could happen again if the calipers are at fault ?

Answer 1

Disc distortion is usually a result of overheating. This can be caused by riding the brake when the car is in motion, or a faulty/seized calliper that's permanently forcing the brake pads against the discs. This would also explain the noise you get.

When the brake discs are hot (for example at the bottom of a steep hill) and you stop and hold the car using the brakes, maybe at traffic lights, the part of the disc under the pads will cool at a much different rate to the rest of the disc. This will lead to major warping. My advice is to see a brake specialist, rather than your dealer.

Answer 2

New brake pad should not make noise  unless you forgot the rear brake pad ?    

Answer 3

What it sounds like the initial problem is you got the discs really really hot and got them wet with cold water that ill distort them really quickly i have the same problem right now.

Now as for the squeaking brakes its going to be the brake pads, when those brakes get really hot like that the pads and the discs will glaze over which will give you squeaking but how you describe it how it goes away after a mile or so sounds normal but you could try to take the pads of and rough them up with some sand paper that might help.

Answer 4

Sounds like whatever caused the distortion of the discs had to be frome a central source since it distorted both discs.  Maybe it would be to your advantage to ask yourself a few questions.  When was the last time you had some wheel work done to your car? How long has it been since I had a wheel alignment? Do I need front bearing replacement? Do my ball joints need replacing?  I suggest that you take the vehicle to very good friend that will give you a very good and honest inspection of your front end.  The reason I say good friend and honest inspection because this type of inspection is what mechanic love see coming because they have been known to name things that did not need replacing and charging the customer for parts and labor that wasn't needed. Hope this has helped.  

Answer 5

It depends on your definition of 'squeaking'. Some brakes make some noise, although most are pretty silent in general.

Looking at your post, you're suggesting that only the discs were replaced - they should not have done this without new pads as the warped discs may have caused 'glazing' of the existing ones.

The most likely cause of warping in such a short period of time is poor quality discs - being a Ford, it's perfectly reasonable to assume that this was the case, even with OE discs.

Looking at your stream of posts on here & on honestjohn.co.uk, I think that it's pretty obvious that you're not happy with the car in general, perhaps you should consider changing it. I'm suggesting this in the most polite possible way as you've previously reported me for a more direct answer.

Answer 6

Well,the squeeking you hear after it has set for awhile is partially caused by condensation build up on pads & rotors,that is why it goes away after awhile.The other part of the cause is most likely due to the hardness & glazeing of the pads from the previous rotors,the pads should have been lightly sanded-(roughed up a little) prior to reinstalling them on the new rotors,the rotors also could have used a little non-directional sandingOther than that the squeek is nothing to worry about,unless it gets worse,it actually may go away on its own.As far as your new rotors getting distorted,that could be a result of not having the rear brakes in adjustment,putting more stress on the fronts causing the rotors to warp-hence the pulsation-,and that also would contribute to the squeek from the pads,by over heating them. Yes it could happen all over again,make sure your rear brakes are in good adjustment.

Answer 7

Do you mean a sort of "graunching" noise for the first few applications of the brakes?  That's not unusual, it's a very fine film of surface rust that forms on the disks if they get damp, and is removed when you use the brakes. Very common, and not a problem.

Regarding the distortion, it could just have been a bad set of disks, or for that matter bad fitting. Otherwise disk distortion usually only happen when the brakes get really hot, either because of  binding calipers (and you'd notice the dragging) or through heavy use. I doubt you drive that hard, even with the Devon hills . . .  

Answer 8

Sounds like they didn't put any brake quiet on them, or not enough. it shouldn't be a ishue, maybe put some peanut butter in there.

Answer 9

If your concerned i would go back to the garage, some breaks do make noises but you know what noises your own car makes so your the best one to judge if its normal or not.

Answer 10

if the discs have warped i cant see why they didn't change the pads...as warping normally is caused by overheating which can also destroy the pads turning them to dust