A brief history: About 15,000 miles ago the dealership did a front brake job under warranty (2003 5at extended 36,000 brake warranty) replacing pads and rotors. About 3,000 miles ago I got an oil change at dealership and they told me that the front pads needed replacing again. No problem, I've done that before myself on lots of different vehicles. I bought factory replacement pads and had the rotors turned at the local, reputable auto parts store. (pads were far from needing replacement, but that's another dealership complaint for another time)

Now: Brakes won't stop making noise. It's not the same as a normal brake "squeak". Not like a warning spring or some type of foreign object stuck in the pad. It's more like a high pitched hum. The rotors are still within factory specs as far as thickness, but I was thinking maybe some wierd harmonic hum that is only there when rotors are nearing the end of their life. I've tried a graphite spray (which was suggested to me), and that helped, but didn't fix permanently. Should I try putting a healthier portion of caliper grease? The sound is a constant hum, during braking. Mostly at low speeds, and only when brake pedal is at a certain position.

Anyone have any suggestions or has anyone experienced the same problem? I don't really want to pay for new rotors if I don't need them or if that won't fix it.

Thanks for any advice!!
Pete

 

Squealing at light pedal pressure is pretty common and is the hardest squealing to get rid of. Try doing a bed-in procedure to mate the pads to the rotors...we have found that this is one of the easiest and best way to reduce or eliminate noises:

http://www.stoptech.com/tech_info/wp_bedintheory.shtml

 

I'll try it, but I've had them on for about 500 miles now. Don't you think they're already mated well? Or are you suggesting I have the rotors re-surfaced again and do a proper bedding in procedure from the beginning?

 

500 of slow driving will do very little to bed the pads. As far as we are concerned, rotors should only be resurfaced as a last resort to solve vibration issues. Do the bed in and see what happens.

 

Good article.

Assuming you don't have access to a track, where would be the safest place to do a bed in?

I for one am concerned about drivers behind me and Cops seeing me do the bed-in process.

There is no good stretch of road around here to do 10 stops from 60.

 

Generally an industrial area after work hours is the best place to do it. You dont have to do stops on a mile long stretch either...if you can only fit 2 or 3 stops in a stretch, then do that, make a u turn and repeat until you have 10.