Help! Brakes Squeeling

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barthalkid

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Hi,

I have a 2000 Pontiac Trans Am and I have had problems with my brakes squeeling for over an year now. They squeek at low speeds and it's driving me insane! I don't know if the sound level is acceptable because they are quite annoying. I have seen many Trans Am/Camaros on the road and I never hear them squeek. About 5 months ago I took my car to Pepboys and had them inspected my brakes. They said my brakes were bad but I just had to change my pads and after they smooth out my rotor, the squeeling would disappear. I eneded up paying for about 300 just to get 2 new pads for my front wheels and my rear motors smooth out. I was REALLY pissed because only after 2 weeks my brakes started making that annoying noise again, but this time only worse. They sound sharper and more metally. I hadn't driven my car very much since then because I was afraid to. I also noticed that I have to press my brake petal quite hard for my car to stop. I often wonder if it's because Pontiac Trans Ams have poor braking systems.

Right now, I don't know what to do or where to go. If I go to the dealer they will charge me an arm and a leg, but I am afraid to go to a shop because I'm afraid they might screw me over. Can anyone tell me what to do or which shops to go to in California? Also, I've also noticed that my car is misaligned since my tire on the driver's side is wearing out a lot more than the others. Did that have anything to do with my brakes squeeling? A couple of my friends had suggested me to put a special kind of gel in between the pads and whatever hold the pads.....Will that help?
 
Better late than never with this reply. When looking for an auto repair facility. It's important to check out the credentials of the technicians. Make sure they are A.S.E. certified in the system you need repairing. An A.S.E. Master technician would be ideal. He or She can fix any problem you may have with your vehicle, the right way!Check it out
 
It probally has alot to do with what pads you have on the car. If you have a higher performance pad such as a carbon metallic, those will most likly squeek at a low speed. And if your rotor surface is cut with grooves, it would be best to get them resurfaced.
 
The problem could be due to three things:

1) There could be grains of sand between the disk and the pad, getting a high pressure air hose could help, otherwise just be patient and hope it will blow out by itself

2) the pads are inferior quality, but you say they have been changed,

3) the disks are warped, in which case you need to go to a grease monkey to have them checked out.
 
If one tyre is more worn than the others, it maybe that that pad is rubbing on the disc, so when you press the brakes the wheel is braking more than the others.

Look out for:

Gentle shaking through the steering wheel as you brake hard.

Slight tugging at the wheel as if the car wants to pull to one side.

Remember that asking the brakes to be checked may cost just as much as simply having the pads and discs changed!

It might be that the wheel bearings or other components are damaged, which might be warping the discs every time they are fitted.

But 300 for two pads? Ouch!
 

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