My brakes squeek when i drive. why?

Question

i think its my brakes. its not cuz the brake pads are old/used up, i know what those sound like. the squeek is heard when driving around and i think it is on the rotors. it is only heard when it spins and goes over a certain spot. for example, like a small deep scratch on a cd, repeating over and over on the same spot. and i got the car new in Dec 2005.

Answer 1

The brakes will squeak when being applied.  There are certain brake pads you can by that will reduce the squeak when baking.  In general terms it is the friction of the pad material with the rotor that caused the squeak.  There is a spray that can be bought at all part store, some wall marts carry it that will reduce the squeak, can't think of the name at the moment but that is only a temporary fix.  Buying quality bake pads and rotors will eliminate this.  There is also a possibility that the squeak is coming from friction between the caliber and brake pad.  Some brake pads have shims on them and may be worn through. There is a fix for that simply use caliber crease between the caliper piston and the pad will eliminate that.  If you have a pulsating feeling in the brake pedal when applying the brakes while slowing down the car than your rotors are out of round.  This could be the cause of the sound at different spots. There is a another possibility but this being a 2005 model not likely unless the car has been sitting in standing water or you live in area where a lot of salt is used to remove snow and that is that the caliber is sticking.  This mean the piston on the caliber is not retracting.  With an out of round rotor and a sticking caliber you would get a on and off squeak that would increase in repetition as you increase in speed. Your description of goes over a certain spot is vague.  If you are referring to a certain spot of a road this would be your suspension system.

Answer 2

Possible seize piston. Caliper piston not fully seating and partially stuck out and not retracting all the way in. Possible lack of lubrication keeping the pads from sliding in and out correctly. You may have to get rotors resurface if there is a big scratch on the surface that is causing uneven wear and noise. Take the wheel off and check the rotors. Feel it with your fingers and it should be totally smooth. If there are scores or lines of any kind have it resurface.

Answer 3

that squeak can come from a few different places. the new materials in the brake pads are known for noise. excessive brake dust can cause brake noise, clean it out and the noise should go away. on some brake pads you will find a piece of metal that protrudes from the backing plate. this sticks out in the direction of the rotor. it is there to let you know when the pads are worn to a minimum. myself i would go in for a brake inspection.  

Answer 4

normally if your wheels are squeaking as you are driving along without pressing the brakes it will be a sticking brake touching the disc. does it change when braking or go away? i would strip and clean all the brakes spray out any dust with brake cleaner and make sure pads or shoes are not stuck in calipers or the shoes are rubbing on the backplate  and making a noisebecause it is dry of copper grease, also you need to make sure none of the piston  slides or cylinders if shoes on the rear are partially siezed.  

Answer 5

I thought it meant something with brake dust...

Answer 6

small tab on pads hits rotor telling you change me now or you paying big money again it hits before rib-its do as a warning