New pads and rotors, rear brakes grinding now

[Dustin Jackson]

Hey guys I recently installed new Detroit axle rotors and pads on my 07 Tahoe and everything seemed great for a day and then I started getting grinding from both of the rear brakes. It seems to only happen sometimes and it varies in severity, sometimes its really bad and sometimes its not so bad. The front is perfect and the rotors look great in the front, in the rear you can see marks on the rotors from the grinding.

Is there anything special about the rear that I need to be aware of? I did the front and rear at the same time and the front is fine. Do I need to adjust the parking brake cable or lube the caliper?

 

[Rocket Man]

I have heard nothing but bad things regarding Detroit Axle products including front hubs that have actually broke. Can you tell what is causing the grinding? The pads must be faulty. There’s nothing the parking brake has to do with the surface of the rotor- it operates as a drum brake on the inside. The caliper doesn’t need lube and all it would do is cause the pads to drag but that won’t cause any marks. Sorry for your luck. I wouldn’t buy Detroit Axle parts period. Here’s a thread with at least one horror story about their junk. Luckily nobody died. If I was you, I’d demand a complete refund and buy some decent parts.
https://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/threads/detroit-axle-suspension-parts.115927/

 

[OR VietVet]

If you do just the rear replacement, as @Rocket Man says, do the pads and rotors, not just the pads. Clean and lube as you reassemble.

 

[Rocket Man]

If you do just the rear replacement, as @Rocket Man says, do the pads and rotors, not just the pads. Clean and lube as you reassemble.

He said he did pads and rotors.

 

[Dustin Jackson]

@Rocket Man @PNW VietVet New pads and rotors. Does the parking brake operate a different caliper piston than the brake pedal? If I engage the parking brake while moving I hear a loud click and then the rear brakes don't grind for a while so I am wondering if I have a; stuck piston, pad isn't sliding smooth, or is the whole caliper isn't sliding correctly. I made sure to lube everything very well but it has been too hot to take another look.

 

[Doubeleive]

Must have put them on wrong or something, take off a wheel and inspect with a flashlight

 

[Foggy]

Did you disassemble the caliper slides?? Clean and recoat with caliper slide grease???
That's the only thing I could think of... Maybe the pads are "cocked" in there wrong???

 

[swathdiver]

@Rocket Man @PNW VietVet New pads and rotors. Does the parking brake operate a different caliper piston than the brake pedal? If I engage the parking brake while moving I hear a loud click and then the rear brakes don't grind for a while so I am wondering if I have a; stuck piston, pad isn't sliding smooth, or is the whole caliper isn't sliding correctly. I made sure to lube everything very well but it has been too hot to take another look.

The parking brake doesn't do anything to the pistons, it actuates the shoes on the hat portion of the rotors out back. They need to be adjusted, especially if you replace the rotors and there is a process that must be followed for them to work right afterwards.

 

[Dustin Jackson]

@Foggy Yes I coated everything in grease, I was afraid I used too much grease

@swathdiver I am very interesting in finding out about that, the grinding doesn't happen all the time and I think it's linked to when I have used the parking brake.

 

[Dustin Jackson]

The parking brake doesn't do anything to the pistons, it actuates the shoes on the hat portion of the rotors out back. They need to be adjusted, especially if you replace the rotors and there is a process that must be followed for them to work right afterwards.

@swathdiver I was just doing some research on that parking brake shoe system, I had no idea that's how it worked. That being said I am not sure this is the cause of my problem, I have good sized streaks on my read rotors so it had something to do with the way the pads are seating on the rotors. Both rear rotors have streaks, maybe I put the rads in the wrong side? Is there a good diagram to show which pads goes where?

 

[Rocket Man]

The pads are the same for the inside and outside so all I can think of is if you put them inside out as in metal to metal but I’m not sure if that’s even possible.

 

[Dustin Jackson]

The pads are the same for the inside and outside so all I can think of is if you put them inside out as in metal to metal but I’m not sure if that’s even possible.

@Rocket Man I sure hope not but sometimes my brakes are smooth as butter so I am not sure

 

[Rocket Man]

@Rocket Man I sure hope not but sometimes my brakes are smooth as butter so I am not sure

Maybe just take them apart, inspect and see if something didn’t get put together right like others suggested.

 

[swathdiver]

@swathdiver I was just doing some research on that parking brake shoe system, I had no idea that's how it worked. That being said I am not sure this is the cause of my problem, I have good sized streaks on my read rotors so it had something to do with the way the pads are seating on the rotors. Both rear rotors have streaks, maybe I put the rads in the wrong side? Is there a good diagram to show which pads goes where?

The squeeler goes on the inside. Did you grease the slides and the guide pins?

 

[Dustin Jackson]

The squeeler goes on the inside. Did you grease the slides and the guide pins?

@swathdiver I coated everything in grease that wasn't the brake surface.

 

[OR VietVet]

He said he did pads and rotors.

I know that, I am just saying if he replaces anything at the rear, again, then do both pads and rotors.

 

[Rocket Man]

I know that, I am just saying if he replaces anything at the rear, again, then do both pads and rotors.

Gotcha.

 

[swathdiver]

@swathdiver I coated everything in grease that wasn't the brake surface.

Too much grease is not good either. If the pads are on right and the guide pins are allowing the caliper to float like it should, I'd be looking at rebuilding/replacing the calipers. Just did this to mine.

 

[Dustin Jackson]

@swathdiver @Rocket Man @PNW VietVet I appreciate the insight gentlemen, this weekend I will try to open the rear brakes and see whats going on.

 

[bladenbullet]

how in gods name could you replace the rotors and not see the parking brake assemblies you installed the new ones over?...