1995 Supreme Squeek

Hey guys. My 95 Supreme two door has recently developed a squeek from the driver's side front tire, I think, and I was hoping you could give me some ideas of what to look for.

It started out only when the wheel was turned to the right or under braking. Now it's grown to squeeking at all times except when turning left, and under braking it squeeks no matter what direction.

I've got the tire off the car right now, but I just don't know what I should be look for. There's nothing really obvious at first sight, and since I don't know brakes/chassis really well, I don't know where to look. Any advice?

Thanks a bunch!
-Derek

I'd say first to look at your brake pad wear indicators. they can be a pain in the ass to see, but look to see if there is anything like that making contact with the rotor. If you don't see the wear indicators, you'll know if the brake pads look very thin... I mean literally this thick ---> _ . see? I'm talking a few millimeters.

Ok, so I changed the front brake pads, still squeeks. However, I did notice that the driver's side pads were much more worn than the passenger side. I'd assume this is because of whatever is causing the squeek?

I thought the rotors looked pretty good, as did my step dad, so I don't think they're the problem. I could be wrong though since I don't know what else it could be. Any way to tell? I didn't have any brake rotor cleaner, so I just wiped them down with a rag as well as I could. Could brake cleaner maybe fix the problem? Anything else it could possibly be?

Thanks,
-Derek

i'll just point out that the uneven wear indicates seized caliper guide pins. the caliper has to be able to have some movement. if you know what the caliper is, then look for the two bolts that secure it to the caliper mounting bracket... that bracket is mounted to the spindle.

if you were to unbolt the caliper bracket and try to move the guide pins, they probably will be stiff. the stiffness could be causing the pad not to back off the rotor, giving you a squeek. you would try to free them up, remove them, remove the rubber sleeves if so equipt, and remove any rust, then use high-temp anti-sieze to lubricate. then re-assembal.

having said that, my only concern is that if the squeek is exactly the same as before, the seized guide pins may not be the source of the squeek, even though they are a problem you need to adress.

try looking at the dust shield as well... its the tin pan covering a portion of the rotor... make sure there is no possibility of it making contact with the rotor... i just did a truck today that another tech worked on... he put on brand new dust shields while doing a break job and installed them incorrectly... they make a horrible squeek squeek squeek when i turned left.

one more thing i'll suggest is to raise the front of the car, and check both wheels for any sighns of play in the bearings, tie-rods, or ball joints.... grab the driveshafts with one hand and work them around to feel for looseness or noises... good luck, i wish i could be more help.

Thanks for all the help so far Ian.

I changed the pads myself, so I do know what the caliper is, and also the bracket. What I'm not sure on is what the guide pins are. From reading your post, it sounds like they're on the bracket, right? Do I need to remove the bracket to remove and lube them? The reason I ask is because, if I remember right, I need to unbolt the two torx bolts to remove the bracket from the car, and they seem impossibly stuck.

If they're on the caliper, thats great, because I know how and can remove that no problem.

-Derek

bump...

you know how you removed the one bolt, and flipped the caliper up? That hinge part is the slider pin. If you flip the caliper up, then push it back towards the car, it will slide off. I would check that.

The next thing I would check is your tie rods and ball joints. With the wheel still on the car, but the front jacked up, tug and pull side to side (tie rods) and up and down (ball joints) and see if there is any movement. With the wheel off, look at them and see if they have grease fittings. If they have been replaced ever, and they didn't use sealed ones, then you will need to grease them. Also, look at the rubber boots on them and make sure they are not ripped. If they are, you will need to replace them and that could be the source of your noise.

Thanks for all the help guys. I took the caliper off today, cleaned the rotor, and greased the hell out of those guide pins . No more squeek.

Thanks again,
-Derek