'00 Windstar Brake Squeal

Our 2000 Windstar has 47,000 miles on it. Several months ago my wife told me that the brakes felt rough. I figured it was time to change the pads, so I did so. I've done brakes a number of times and found no strange problems with this job .... except that a few days later they started squealing.

So, I took it all apart, rechecked everything, and made sure I used the anti-squeal stuff on the back of the brake pads. They still squealed afterwards, however.

This went on for a few months with me occasionally taking everything apart only to have the squeal come back again.

Finally I tore it all down and took the rotors off, completely sanded off all the glaze with 200 grit. Put brand new "good" pads on, did the anti-squeal bit, and everything was fine for a few days. And then the squeal came back.

In a fit of frustration I took it to a specialty brake shop in town (not a chain), and they gave me a bs story and told me it would be $700 to take care of everything all the way around. (Example, they told me the rotors couldn't be turned ... had to get new ones at $140 each).

Well, just to compare notes and expecting the worst, I took the van to Midas. they adjusted some things and chamfered the edges of the brake pads, also removing the paint around the perimeter of the pads. They charged me an hour's labor. After this ... no brake squeal for 3 weeks!

Now it's back. Any ideas? Should I get new rotors? Could it be a bad caliper (and how would I know?). By the way ... van stops fine. No chatter, no pull and the brakes aren't mushy. I've also done the rear brakes (drums) so they're in good shape.

You had to remove two small screws to lift away the caliper "clamp" (that includes the two pistons)....did you then pull out the slide pins and dust boots and giv 'em a good greasing? And those stainless steel things that go at each end of the pads ...need to be greased thoroughly...in fact, Ford recommends that these things get replaced with each pad replacement. ( I've replaced them only once over 150k miles).
I just did my pads a couple of days ago... used the "Gold" series of AutoZone life-long pads. My grease of choice is NAPA's "Ultra disc caliper lube", synthetic, made by Permatex...#765-2429...never on the shelf...have to get 'em to order when I get low. I have never had any luck with the sticky-gluey anti-squeal stuff... prefer the greasy stuff.
My brakes are quiet.

Unless you gouged the rotors or something, they should not require replacement. You can buy aftermarket rotors so cheaply, I would not have them turned....when/if you do need to replace.

New brake pads these days are going to squeek and squeal a little from time to time. it's the magnesium in the pads. nothing to be worried about.
stephen

I KNOW A LOT ABOUT SQUEEKY BRAKES ..I use Ceramic now they dont squeek. The carbon matalic brands are the worst. The low and mid grade that carquest sell are squeekers.. Pep boys has the ceramic pads but they are a little pricey. The ceramic makes a little rough sound almost like the brakes are runny on bad rotors that have not gone yet. But with the kids talking and the radio on you dont notice them unless its real quiet. I can live with the little rough sound its not that bad.