Need help: It sounds like a brake chirping.

[oneheavyhorse]

Need help: It sounds like a brake chirping. Any time I'm rolling over 5 mph and less than 50mph. It is non-rythmic, but a random chirping/rattling sound. It doesn't correspond to wheel speed, engine speed, bumps on the road, etc. When I hit the brakes, the sound stops, and sometimes it stops when I making a turn. I've lifted the vehicle, one side at a time, and spun the wheels, but I don't hear the sound. It is quiet for a while after I was the vehicle, but soon starts up again. There is not excessive brake dust nor any scoring on the rotors. THe wear indicators are about 1/8 inch clearance from the rotors, ie pads are relatively new.

Is it my brake pads? Rotors? Could it be a loose driveline mount of some sort that when I brake it is loaded differently and stops making noise?

I have this posted on the Yukon forum too. It's a 2002 4WD.

[bigbluesuvv]

Hey there! I've had this exact same problem. I replaced the brake pads with Raybestos pads, and subsequently, the passenger side front brake started making the same noise you refer to. I've found that the best way to prevent this is to be a little more aggressive in your everyday braking situations. Once the pad or pads wear down beyond a certain point the noise will likely go away, as it has done so for me. In the mean time, try taking the wheels off and spraying the brakes with a little brake cleaner.

[oneheavyhorse]

Update: I pulled the driver's side rear rotor off. Parking brake shoes looked a very little worn right at the leading edge and the rest was about 1/8 inch thick. I did however have a deep score gouge on the inboard side of the rotor. Disc pads looked good so all I could figure is that something got lodged between the rotor and the pad, like a stone or something. I cleaned all the surfaces up with brake spray cleaner and the sound has returned only once and only for a few seconds. It's been a week and so far so good.

BTW, I thought mine was coming from the driver's front side. You make another good point too, regarding the more aggressive braking. My pulling the rotor and caliper off may have loosened the caliper piston a bit keeping the pads in closer contact with the rotor, much like harder braking would do.

[Problemsolver]

Hey there, If there is a groove in the rotor the pad is wearing to the shape of the groove and rubbing the rotor. This could possibly be the squeeking you hear. Try replacing that rotor and all pads. That might help.

I say replace the rotor 'cause autozone sells them for about the same price it will cost to turn them.

Just another possibility.

[oneheavyhorse]

You're right....sounds like I got project coming up as soon as the weather warms up!

[95tahoe4x4]

Careful guys, replacing only one rotor can lead to pulling, especially on these Tahoes. When we work on rotors, if one needs replaced, we do them both or send the job somewhere else. It took some learning with comebacks before that policy was put into place. We have had people comeback AFTER they had one rotor replaced by someone else, had problems, then had the other side replaced, and spent more than if we would have done the whole job right the first time.

Just something to think about, you are already there, and another 30 bucks is not that much.

Kt