Just the other day my car started making this screeching sound even when i'm not on the brakes. Basically it makes a screeching sound whenever i drive now and it gets really loud when i hit the brakes. Is this normal if my brake pads are worn out? or is something broken?? Thanks for the help

 

Try pulling up on the emergency brake to see if it's the front or back brakes. If it's the back, the caliper mounts may be siezed, not allowing the caliper to release properly. If the e-brake does not change the sound, it's probably the front. Could also be siezed mounts, or just worn out brake pads. Check them out before you don't have brakes at all.

 

not usual

 

It is normal, brake pads have a wear indicator on them, which is basically a piece of metal that extends from the pad in towards the rotor, when the pad is worn down to the point where it needs replacing, the wear indicator is actually rubbing on the rotor, hense the squealing and the name wear indicator! You could get another few miles out of the pads by taking them out and breaking of the wear indicator but i would just replace them as you could end up scoring the rotor

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by mugenracer &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">It is normal, brake pads have a wear indicator on them, which is basically a piece of metal that extends from the pad in towards the rotor, when the pad is worn down to the point where it needs replacing, the wear indicator is actually rubbing on the rotor, hense the squealing and the name wear indicator! You could get another few miles out of the pads by taking them out and breaking of the wear indicator but i would just replace them as you could end up scoring the rotor</TD></TR></TABLE>
What he said

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by hybridvteceg &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">not usual</TD></TR></TABLE> yes it is usual

Slow done buddy, giving the right info is more important than getting on the top 10 poster list.

 

Machine rotors, or grind down the top/bottom edge of your pads just a little bit.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by hybridvteceg &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">not usual</TD></TR></TABLE>

Like he said... it is NOT usual...

The wear indicator should only indicate while braking... I had mine down to rivets (well just about) and it didn't squeek at ALL unless you were on the brakes.... UNTIL... my caliper started sticking... then it squeeked constantly...

Check your wheels when you stop after a drive... if one or two are WAY hotter than the others you probobly have a draggin caliper... don't panic because it could just be because the piston is sooo far out (cuz the pads are worn)... so once you reset the piston it may not stick anymore... but if it does (keep checking the temp. of that wheel after a drive (as it won't squeek anymore)) you're in for a replacement caliper.

If you've gotten so low on the pads it is on the rivets then that could cause constant squeeling but it is FAR from normal...


Modified by NonovUrbizniz at 4:23 PM 7/20/2003

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by mugenracer &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">It is normal, brake pads have a wear indicator on them, which is basically a piece of metal that extends from the pad in towards the rotor, when the pad is worn down to the point where it needs replacing, the wear indicator is actually rubbing on the rotor, hense the squealing and the name wear indicator! You could get another few miles out of the pads by taking them out and breaking of the wear indicator but i would just replace them as you could end up scoring the rotor</TD></TR></TABLE>
I don't know what is and what is not "usual".
But two weeks ago my brakes didn't squeak at all.
Then they started to squeak when mashing the pedal.
Then when lightly stepping on the pedal.
And today, they started to squeak without pressing the pedal at all.
So you guys can arrive at any conclusions you like.
My conclusion was to go to Acura and buy new pads.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 4crx4me &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
My conclusion was to go to Acura and buy new pads. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Smart conclusion Bro!!!

 

Believe what you want. I worked at honda for 4 years and went through 2 years of honda factory training. I have done thousands of brake jobs on honda's. The wear indicators do drag on the rotors all of the time once the pad has been worn to that level.