Hey all, I am having some issues with my brakes and was hoping someone could help to point me in the right direction. Recently, upon even light braking I hear a grinding noise and intermittently the grinding will continue even after I've let off the brake pedal. It amplifies sometimes if I'm going into a turn (i.e. braking and releasing while turning into a driveway). This has been happening on a 2001 Qx4.
Now, I recently replaced the front pads and rotors back in September, and am hard pressed to believe the pads would go that quickly. At the same time, it has been a while (1+ years) since I've done anything to the rear brakes (I understand they are drums). I've been lucky enough to be out of town for the past few days so my car hasn't been driven at all until I returned today, and the symptoms started right before I left. From what I've read, it sounds like it could be the rear drums, but I'm not 100% sure. Based on these symptoms can anyone give me an idea of what's going on and how much this could potentially cost? I'd like to have this fixed ASAP. Any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks in advance!
help diagnosing brake problem!
Re: help diagnosing brake problem!
Discs are noisy if the RH, relative humidity is high and they have not been used for a couple of days. When first braking the front rotors will make a grinding noise that will disappear after the rotors warm and evaporate any moisture.
With new rotors and pads a year old it is doubtful that they need replacing but they need to be inspected and cleaned.
The drums in the rear are long lasting and should not need replacing, but they need cleaning, lubricating and de-glazing every 3-6 months of use.
The rear shoes need adjusting and cleaning of the brake dust that will hinder operation and inspection of all parts especially the clips and hold down on the e brake that could fall loose and wear the shoes against the drums.
The drums must be removed and cleaned and inspected for out of round and tolerance to being over sized from wear.
Each time the front brakes are looked at so must the rear brakes be examined.
Just before working on them try setting your e brake a notch at a time then feel if any difference in braking and noise. The lagging shoes may be too far away.
If the rear brakes are way off from being set up it will be very easy to pull the drum after a couple of quick thumps with a 5 lb hammer, but do not smack it so hard to break the drum casting.
You will need fine sand paper, brake cleaner, high temp anti-seize compound and patience.
Check your axle seals while in there.
Adjust the cog to snug, not tight so the rear drum turns by hand, both wheels off the ground.
Be careful when you first drive since all brakes must reseat until they do they may squeak at the end of stopping for about a day, especially with the new brake cleaners of today.
With new rotors and pads a year old it is doubtful that they need replacing but they need to be inspected and cleaned.
The drums in the rear are long lasting and should not need replacing, but they need cleaning, lubricating and de-glazing every 3-6 months of use.
The rear shoes need adjusting and cleaning of the brake dust that will hinder operation and inspection of all parts especially the clips and hold down on the e brake that could fall loose and wear the shoes against the drums.
The drums must be removed and cleaned and inspected for out of round and tolerance to being over sized from wear.
Each time the front brakes are looked at so must the rear brakes be examined.
Just before working on them try setting your e brake a notch at a time then feel if any difference in braking and noise. The lagging shoes may be too far away.
If the rear brakes are way off from being set up it will be very easy to pull the drum after a couple of quick thumps with a 5 lb hammer, but do not smack it so hard to break the drum casting.
You will need fine sand paper, brake cleaner, high temp anti-seize compound and patience.
Check your axle seals while in there.
Adjust the cog to snug, not tight so the rear drum turns by hand, both wheels off the ground.
Be careful when you first drive since all brakes must reseat until they do they may squeak at the end of stopping for about a day, especially with the new brake cleaners of today.
-
Chuck Tribolet
- Posts: 1490
- Joined: Mon Nov 24, 2008 3:15 pm
- Car: '01 Nissan Pathfinder
'87 Chevy Corvette
'01 Toyota Camry daily driver
'98 Boston Whaler Montauk - Location: Morgan Hill, CA and Marina, CA
- Contact:
Re: help diagnosing brake problem!
There are a couple of threaded holes in the drums that you put a bolt (8mm?) in and jack the drum off. Once it starts
moving, it should keep coming. If it move about 1/8" and then doesn't want to move, don't force it.
How many miles on your truck?
Can you get somebody to stand beside the road as you make the noise and tell you which end and which side it's
coming from?
moving, it should keep coming. If it move about 1/8" and then doesn't want to move, don't force it.
How many miles on your truck?
Can you get somebody to stand beside the road as you make the noise and tell you which end and which side it's
coming from?