Brake problems

[joshzr2]

My girlfriend has a 99 Malibu. I changed the front brake pads and rotors on it a couple months ago. The inside pad on the passenger side was completely worn down to the metal. When I changed them, I made sure to clean the oil off of the rotors with plenty of brake parts cleaner and made sure to use brake quiet lubricant on the pads. And before anyone asks, yes I put the brake quiet on the side of the pads that touches the caliper. Anyway, I had done dozens of brake jobs so I know I did this one right. The only problem is, now anytime you push the brake pedal, they squeak very badly. At first I thought it was just a normal squeak that you get anytime you put new pads on a car, but it is quite a bit louder than that and very high pitched. The car has no problem stopping, it's just that noise. Also, right after I changed them, anytime we would drive it, we would notice a burned-rubber type of smell coming from the passenger side front wheel after we parked the car. It's been suggested that the problem is caused by one of the pads rubbing on the rotor without the brakes being applied. Any ideas or thoughts would be very much appreciated. Thanks

[gomrac]

Most likely you might have a bad caliber. Pull the tire off on paas. side and check if both pads are the same thickness. Also, make sure the rubber brake line isn't callopsing or twisted etc. Check also the new rotor to see if there is any damage.

Happy Jack

[joshzr2]

Thanks. I'll try that as soon as I can and let you know.

[ken22]

I had the same problem until the brake mechanic realized on the malibu the pad with the wear indicator goes on the inside instead of the outside. He said most cars he works on the indicator goes on the outside, so they must have done that to my car. He said if that is how they are installed, the pad sits on an angle in the caliper and wears uneven. They must have installed it this way the other three times. He said putting the pads on the right way should fix the problem. We shall see.