sticky rear caliper pin causing squeal?

[surferfletch]

As usual, greatly appreciate you reading and helping!

Problem: Daughter was backing the Rodeo (V6 LS with 148K) out of the drive to the right when I heard a metal on metal squeal from the right rear. She has been hearing it for awhile, but didn't think it was significant (16 years old and learning!).

Brakes last changed in the rear: July 2004. When I changed them then, the bottom caliper pin was corroded and gave me a hard time coming out. I sanded the corrosion off and put caliper lube on (on vacation - didn't feel like chasing a new one down).

What I did today: Took the caliper pins out and removed the caliper from the carrier. The bottom pin again was a real PITA to remove (PB Blaster, vice grips, hammer). The pads have several more thousand miles left and the indicator was not touching the rotor. I'm sanding down the corrosion again and putting it back until the pads need replacing.

Questions: 1. Do you think the noise was caused by the sticking caliper pin?

2. Should I replace the carrier as well as the caliper pin when I get into it later? The good caliper pin has a little trouble traveling in and out of the lower part of the carrier.

Thanks again!

[Cat Fuzz]

I'm thinking the parking brake was partially engaged.

[surferfletch]

I was able to reproduce it without the parking brake set. Maybe it didn't fully release. I haven't heard it since cleaning stuff up. We'll see.

[rodeo02]

You could get some noise anytime the caliper doesn't slide or the pads dont float freely. I know people do, but I wouldn't touch the caliper pins with anything stronger than a scotch-bright (sp?) pad. The pins are a precision fit w/in the bores so they make a good seal with the O-rings and seals. If the pins are stuck/rusty/dirty, something is up with the seals, or calipers themselves. Are you using a good silicone grease for the pins & slides? The most common thing with today's brakes is the pads get stuck and don't float. A good clean and re-grease makes brakes last a long time.

G/luck
Joel

[surferfletch]

The fit of that lower pin was definitely not good. With oxidation, the diameter of the pin was greater and the inner diameter of the bore was smaller. I sprayed the inside with brake cleaner and a bunch of black gunk came out. All was good with the top pin and bore. I used the caliper grease that came with the pads I got at Pep Boys. I think I'm heading toward new pins and calipers in the rear, or the pad carriers, if I can get them separate from the rest of the caliper.