2001 Grand Caravan Brakes Squawk

[sixseas]

I have a 2001 Grand Caravan in excellent shape 23k miles ABS brakes. It brakes normal no shutter in the steering wheel no pulsing petal, nothing unusual that would indicate a rotor problem. Recently it occasionally stated making a noise. I doesn’t happen all the time, goes away for days comes back again. I would best describe as a pulsing squawk, more like a duck in the last 10-20% of brake down at slower speeds all the way down to a stop. No sign of any problem as you brake down from higher speeds all the way to the final 10-20% of braking.

The only thing that doesn’t sound right is a very light pulsing sanding sound from the front wheel. Sounds like a warped rotor swiping a pad, while the van is rolling at lower speeds along for example along a wall where the sound bounces back. Very light braking to clamp the pad down doesn't change the sound. My conclusion is a bad rotor but; pads are in new condition, rotor checks flat. If anyone has been through this problem would like to hear about it before I dig in further. Thanks

[jamesslcx]

I never experienced this with my older model before, the only similarity I do experience is the slight sanding noise I hear after mine has sit for a few days and a film of rust has accumulated on the rotor and the pad wears it off. Do you feel that braking performance suffers when you hear your noise?

[robert0508]

have you checked that all sliding locations have been cleaned and greased if needed, one wheel may not be sliding right causing the warped rotor sound and feel but after it warms up the grease lets it move.

[sixseas]

No that's the odd thing the brakes work perfect at high and low speeds when its making the noise with no strange vibrations.

[sixseas]

I'm going to try and find the time this afternoon to block the van up and run without tire to see if I can see anything. Ill check for sliding points generally its it hasn't been used in winter so its free of rust and debris pads and rotor look new. Maybe a lazy pad or caliper that doesn't slide back far enough out of the way sometimes.

[RIP]

A brake job should cover it all. Turn/replace rotors, check slider movement and lube if needed, Clean and lube friction points, install new pads and shims with lube. BTW - most squeaks etc are caused by cheap pads and/or poorly lubed shims. Beyond that if you live in a high humidity or high rainfall area consider having the brake fluid flushed and replaced.

[sixseas]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I think I got it. It appears it was a very slightly warped rotor. Napa found one of the rotors was warped it was so slight I couldn't detect it myself. Apparently that's why it would only squawk toward the end of braking no other signs.