Brake replacement options

[aeorn]

Hey guys, I've replaced rotors and pads (several) but my brakes are still very squeaky. It's pretty obnoxious for cyclists and pedestrians. I'm assuming this is common, but let me know if it's just me.

Have any of you upgraded to a completely new setup? Seems like an expensive fix but the squeaking is not working for me. Found this one that looks high quality...

Power Stop KC1934-36 Rotor, Pad and Caliper Brake Kit​

 

[BigOleFordFan]

Power Stop KC1934-36 Rotor, Pad and Caliper Brake Kit

Although I have never used them, I have heard a lot of negative comments about their lower-end parts, as well as anything by Duralast from Advanced Auto parts....which are just cheaply-made aftermarket copies of the lowest grade OEM parts....

OTOH, I have heard good things about Bosch's & Wagner's high-end stuff....

2.5 years & 72K miles ago, I had top of the line Bosch kits (Full carbon-fiber ceramic pads, slotted/drilled coated rotors & Geo-spec calipers) put on my wife's Acadia (she is really hard on brakes) and they still stop the car on a friggin dime, so this is probably what I will be putting on my Expy when the time comes later this year !

Yea they will cost ya more upfront, but I prefer to do that & have them last longer as opposed to having to replace everything every 20-40K miles

 

[whtbronco]

Squeaking is usually from the pads moving around and squeaking on the caliper piston or the pad mounting ears. If the new pads have backing plates on them that seems to help. Replacing the stainless steel pad clips and applying a tiny bit of caliper grease to them should resolve it, just don't get any on the braking surface. When I remove the old clips I use a wire brush to clean all the built up brake dust from the clip seats on the caliper mounting bracket.

Power Stop stuff is gaining a pretty fair following it appears. They make it easy to buy in one package that's for sure. I'm not a fan, but that might just be me. I also won't use drilled rotors. If the design is not allowed on racetracks then I'm not using it either. Drilling the cast blanks weakens the rotor and can lead to cracking. There are some super high end rotors that have holes cast in I'm told and thus apparently do not reduce the integrity of the rotor. I do like slotted rotors as the integrity of the rotor is not compromised, but they often do make just a light groaning noise when the brakes are applied. At least every set I have owned have made that same faint noise. Unless you hammer the brake pedal in which case you will most certainly hear that groan.

If your caliper pistons are not seized and the caliper is not leaking there's no reason to replace them, unless you just want red ones.

If it's squeaking all the time and the calipers are not seized it could be parking brake shoes rubbing. I had a heck of time getting the parking brake shoes adjusted just right so it worked and didn't squeak despite having the right tools. This is lower pitch tone than brake pads though.

 

[Sylvan_Librarian]

I have all 4 corners braking with stock calipers and Powerstop z36 truck & tow rotors/pads. I switched to these because the previous, newish brakes were making excessive noise. I've found the Powerstops have been quiet.

 

[Broncoholic]

I've been very happy with Duralast Gold rotors and Duralast Elite Ceramic pads on my 2003 (installed Sept 2015!) and just put the same on the wife's 2016 in December. I've put over 50k miles on the 2003 Duralast brakes.

 

[Stephen Dunster]

When a mechanic friend changes brake pads, he puts a dab of grease on the back of the brake pad and smooths it over all contact points before installation. I did this to eliminate a squeak once and now do it every time I change brakes. I use Akebono ProAct ceramic pads, drive 50K miles a year mostly highway, and have pads last over 200K miles.

 

[texasscot]

I’ve never had squeak problems on any of my vehicles, including my 2003 expy. I silicone grease the spring hardware, the pad lugs and the back of the pads with NAPA silicone grease. Always try to do prescribed pad/rotor break in procedures.

 

[Broncoholic]

Yes! I forgot to say grease is very important and it doesn't take much! I've had this container for 15 to 20 years. I use it on every brake change on the caliper slides and pad slides. I've never had a squeak.