Brakes Squeal, but LR dealer says OK

[BigMike]

I bought a 2001 Disco with 40K miles on it. Just to be on the safe side, I took my truck to the LR dealer to get the 37,500 mile maintenance, since the previous owner didn't. I'd put 300 miles on the car before I took it in. I told the Service Manager that my brakes were whistling. Well, the mechanic tested the car, checked the pads, and reported that there was no noise and the pads were at 75%. Since I don't trust dealers, I want to know if this sounds like a dust problem. If so, how do I clear the dust out? The brakes don't squeak every time I brake, but often enough that I notice it.

Mike

 

[disco1]

Sounds like dust is the probable cause. You could try to wash it out with your garden hose with pressure. Just make sure your brakes are cold when you do it.

 

[discomike]

Mike,
I would bet someone put aftermarket pads on your truck before you bought it. You have 2 choices, replace the pads and install a better quality pad or remove your existing pads, bevel the edges of the brake material and spray some sound deadening material on the back of the pads. Between beveling and the sound deadening material you should be able to stop the majority of the noise. By the way, check the color of your brake fluid, if it is going brown, give it a good brake flush to prevent getting a soft brake pedal.
Good luck,
Mike J.

 

[BigMike]

I'll try the hose with a 150 psi nozzle when the brakes are cold. If that doesn't work, I'll check the pads.

I got the vehicle history from the LR dealer so I'd have it in my file. This is from 9/17/03.

B4 fault code-left fron hub faulty-due to miexed signals from aftermarket brakes and rotors. Aftermarket brakes and rotors on car and per the owners request, installed front set of factory pads only. Test OK.

So I have aftermarket brakes & rotors, not factory.

Mike W.

 

[disco1]

Just go easy on the water pressure. You don't want to create problems with the wheel sensors.

 

[ColeCam]

You can also brake hard a few times on an empty street, that usually can help burn off some dust... my brakes have whined a little now and then...it has always been dust for me.

 

[96Discose7]

pull the wheel, spray down with brake parts cleaner, pull pads, file edges where they fit into tracks, lube with brake caliper grease or anti sieze, put everything back together and turn up the stereo -Andy

 

[discomike]

Mike,
All the water type cleaning tip will work from here to the end of the day if you drive much. ColeCam mentioned stopping hard a few time, yes this does work especially if you do it in reverse. By doing this, you break of the built up crusty lip at the edge of the brake pad, this will give you a little longer fix. But if you don't want to keep fussing with noise brakes, do as I mentioned on an eariler post and be done with it.
If you have any questions, send me a message and we will talk.
Mike J.

 

[BigMike]

OK, picking a stretch of street, putting the truck in reverse and aggressively braking sounds like fun. I'm going to do that first. I can't resist.

Mike

 

[discomike]

Mike,
When you do this get up to 20 to 25 and you want to do sharp jabs on the brake pedal, it is not to leave lots of rubber.
Good luck and let me know, if that doesn't work you are looking at plan B.
Mike J.