Squeaking at low speed on the highway!

[msanta]

For the last week or so I have noticed a squeak coming from the front left of the truck or it might even come from under the truck at low speed(15mph) when I have driven about 15 miles on the highway. When I step on the brake to slow down it goes away. It's making me nuts! It sounds like something needs to be lubed. Now the brake pedal feels stiff and it's squeaks a bit when I pull in the garage. Any ideas about this noise? :bonk:

 

[TechWrench]

How many miles on it? Maybe it is the brake pad tell-tales warning they are worn down and need replacing.

 

[msanta]

Do brake pads squeak even if you don't step on the brakes? If they do, then it maybe I need brakes, but it seems that they are wearing too soon! Someone mentioned that the V8 because is heavier may wear the front pads sooner! I do a lot of stop and go traffic in the morning and afternoon.

 

[TechWrench]

Do brake pads squeak even if you don't step on the brakes? If they do, then it maybe I need brakes, but it seems that they are wearing too soon! Someone mentioned that the V8 because is heavier may wear the front pads sooner! I do a lot of stop and go traffic in the morning and afternoon.

Most moden brake pads have a audible wear device built in to them. When they get worn down far enough, a metal tab starts to contact the rotor and will squeak. This squeaking noise usually prompts the owner to have the brakes checked, and hopefully replace before they wear completely down and cause costly rotor damage. It is not unusual for the squeaker tab to start to hit during normal driving, and stop when the brake is applied in the early stages. As for them wearing too soon, a lot depends on the way you drive, and off course the mileage.

 

[msanta]

Thanks for the info, it made me feel a little better. This is my first truck and I never had to replace brakes so soon. My Camry's brake lasted much longer. Now my next question is, should the rotors be cut every time the brakes are done? The dealer says yes, what do you think? Would the cutting make the brakes last a little longer?

 

[TechWrench]

Thanks for the info, it made me feel a little better. This is my first truck and I never had to replace brakes so soon. My Camry's brake lasted much longer. Now my next question is, should the rotors be cut every time the brakes are done? The dealer says yes, what do you think? Would the cutting make the brakes last a little longer?

There is no one easy answer for that. I have replaced just pads on many a vehicle, but I know what to look for when evaluating the rotor condition. If you are paying someone to do the brakes, they will usually want to have the rotors resurfaced, as insurance against possible future customer complaints. It is safer for them to do it now than have to deal with an uphappy customer if there is still a brake related problem afterwards.

If the rotors are resurfaced properly, and there are no other hidden mechanical problems, you can expect the new pads to last about as long as the original ones did. After all, the conditions which made the first set wear out probably haven't changed.

 

[msanta]

Great thanks again for your input, much appreciated!