Ok.. so the latest thing that I have noticed as of yesterday is that my car sounds like a big rig coming to a halt. I've heard some very faint squeeking from time to time and think it may be time for a brake pad change (wear bars perhaps?).

I'm a little confused/concerned though at this new noise. It doesn't sound like the normal high pitched sqeek/squeel you get from the wear tab. It's more like a dang foghorn or like a semi when they get squeeling (more like roaring) brakes.

Looking for some opinions. Think it's my wear tab doing an excellent job at embarassing the hell out of me, or possibly my pads have glazed over? Maybe some light surface rust (no problems before though, and it's a daily driver)

I'll be putting in my new CIA tomorrow, and I'll check the pad wear while I'm in the garage trying to stay dry (been raining for I don't know how long). I'm just impatient and want someone to tell me whats wrong before I look for myself.

Sooo..... there's my rant. What do you guys all think?

 

Cut the rotors. brembo??? or standard? brembo last a long time and would probably only need 1 cut through out their life. but the stock rotors need to be cut a few times

 

Sorry - good point. Standard pads/rotors.

Hate to be ignorant, but when you say cut the rotors your talking about resurfacing them right? if that's the case (of glazing) - I'd rather just get new rotors.

Hmmm.. may be time to start the modding. Currently I'm a stocker until I get my CIA from fedex tomorrow. Then comes the SC - but I may wait a year or so until I can come up with a winter alternative. Off the subject a little, but I'm thinking get my old lady a new vehicle and I'll just take over her 01 Grand Vitara for my winter-go-round. It's pretty sweet... got a CD player.

So how does 1 tell if his pads or rotors are in fact glazed over? Will I actually notice that the pads are smooth without any roughness to them? Or is "being glazed" a generic term for "I don't know whats going on - must be glazed, so replace them".

Thanks all (hopefully more of you respond so the all becomes a little more appropriate.

 

What I think you might be trying to describe sounds like rapid vibrations.. is this correct?

If so, several factors could be at play. Uneven pad material deposits on the rotors (usual cause is hard stops with the foot still on the brake pedal while stopped). A damaged or crazed pad. Rotors with more serious grooves cut into them (usual cause is brake material or small pebbles/stones/etc.).

 

Nope - no vibrations. Here's another way to describe the sound maybe. Remember back in the bike days? If you went through a puddle and your rims got wet, then you tried to stop? Sounded like a dang foghorn that could be heard for blocks.

That's what I'm dealing with. I park in a ramp too for work, and it just echos. That's not the look I'm going for...lol

Also another tidbit of info... I do notice that when I'm braking (usually under 5mph when I can hear it), once I let off the brakes it continues the sound for a split second.

I know my way around cars, but do not consider myself very knowledgable when it comes to specs and quirky little facts. I'm not sure if the delayed sound could mean I have a caliper sticking, or if there is naturally a delay for the pads lifting due to some hydrolic delay or something.

This is why I'm asking you guys. I know a few things that it could be, but I'd just be guessing after that.

So back to the last response - I can definately eliminate any type of vibration (through the wheel, pedal, or the car itself). It does nto appear to be a warped rotor or anything on that line. I can't say there isn't extra brake dust on the rotors or something that is causing the noise, but definately no vibration.

 

yea get ur rotors cut dudeand just sand the pads slightly to resurface them and enjoy the burn in smell once again lol

 

I would be reluctant to sand brake pads because of the dust created. If you choose to do so, wear a respirator.

 

a slight sanding just to rough it up dude... not so much to create enough dust for u to die on.... a thick grain 3 swipes throw it back on