2000 Windstar makes LOUD noise when backing up

[richardsbb]

Forgive my ignorance, but I'm just a Mom who knows little about mechanical things and I'm very frustrated the noise my van makes when backing up. It's goten so loud, the neighbors are complaining. Just had the front pads replaced and rotors turned (67K miles) and inspection said nothing wrong with back brakes.
When I called the serv. mgr., he said maybe rear brakes have dust in them, but would it make that much noise? Also, since having the rotors turned on the front and the pads replaced, the van feels "shaky" a little when driving.
Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!!

[Micopser]

My 2000 does this too ... chalked it up just one of the oddities ... kind of a screach / sqwauk when backing out of driveway first thing in morning ??? I'm thinking a bit of rust or perhaps moisture builds up in the rear drums ..... of course, Mine is probably much quieter ???

Have you had problems with the front brake rotors warping yet ??

Mike

[richardsbb]

I think you described the sound well...it is a SCREEEEEEECH...and it's gotten worse with time. The serv. manager said it might be a build up, but my ears heard dust...rust would make more sense! He said it would be less than $30 to take it apart and clean it out, so I will try that.

-As for the bent rotor, I've read about others with that problem as well...how do I know??? Is that why it feels 'shaky' now?
Have you had that issue, too?

Thanks for any help,

Beth

[wiswind]

Warped rotor....you will feel the car "pulse" when you apply the brakes. Is very important that the wheel lugs are tightened to the correct tightness (about 100 lbs) and in the correct pattern (a "star" pattern). What that means is that you don't start with one lug nut....and go to the one right next to it....you go to one of the ones that is not right next to the one you just tightened. If the lug nuts are not evenly tightened.....then that puts an uneven pressure on the rotor.....resulting in the warping. I do not think that it would cause the screech sound though.
If they have already "turned" the rotors....the only real way to get rid of the warping is to replace the rotors.

I think that it is still the brake linings / friction surface. It is normal for some nasty noise to happen....say after you have driven home in the rain.....let the car sit over night....and start out in the morning. But....unless it is raining every day.....or you live in a very damp area.....I would not expect it to happen every day......and you would hear other cars on the block doing the same thing. Some brake pads / shoes are more prone to noise than others. The other thing that may be happening is the hardware for the rear drum brakes may be worn out. I would have it replaced when you have the rear drum brake shoes replaced. The drum brake hardware "kit" is not expensive.....and all the items that are being replaced by the parts in the kit....have to be taken off to take the rear shoes off anyhow. The kit replaces all the springs and clips....which get very rusty over time.

You do not have to replace the rear drum brakes as often as the front disk brakes....because most of the work is done by the front disk brakes.

Some windstars have drum brakes....on the rear....and some have the optional disk brakes on the rear. They all have disk brakes on the front.

If you have rear drum brakes.....did they "turn" the drums. It is normal for a small ridge of rust to develop on the edge of the friction surface.....the part not normally touched by the shoe friction material (lining). If that was not cleaned......the new / or re-installed shoes may not be lining up the same way...... However...over time.....that should have decreased as they wear in.

The other thing that I had cause some noise.....I needed to have my rear wheel bearings repacked. When they need re-packed.....they have just a little bit of play (movement) in them.....which can cause the friction surface of the drum to shift very slightly relative to the shoe.....which would make noise. So...you might have them check the rear wheel bearings.....is a normal maintenance item....and a routine item to check.....so they will know what you are asking them to do.

[richardsbb]

Thank you for the help~I will take all the responses in with me to the service manager and give them to him to check out. I feel he is honest with me and cost effective. Midas wanted to charge me $594 for new front and rear brake pads, etc...
I took the car to Jim May here in Findlay, OH; a locally owned smaller business, and the serv. dept told me I only needed the front brakes done, just as wiswind said-the rear don't need replaced as often. Total work was $130.
Thank you for all the help and suggestions, this is wonderful for a person like me who has such little knowledge about cars and is a target for being taken advantage.