Help! Brakes squeak exactly the same after being replaced.

[YanaCakes]

I have a 2012 Tahoe, 4WD, without air suspension, with 3.5" RC lift. My brakes squeak like a Mack truck. I had the pads, rotors, and hubs replaced. Still the same exact squeak. Mechanic took brakes apart several times and everything looks good, no rubbing, unusual wear. After the truck has been on a lift and brought back down, the squeaking goes away for a little while (one-two drives). I want to rip my hair out. Any ideas?

 

[Doubeleive]

I have a 2012 Tahoe, 4WD, without air suspension, with 3.5" RC lift. My brakes squeak like a Mack truck. I had the pads, rotors, and hubs replaced. Still the same exact squeak. Mechanic took brakes apart several times and everything looks good, no rubbing, unusual wear. After the truck has been on a lift and brought back down, the squeaking goes away for a little while (one-two drives). I want to rip my hair out. Any ideas?

take the pads back and get a different composition pad. i.e get ceramic or grab semi-metallic depending on which you had originally
both are good, ceramic technically last longer but if you are getting obnoxious noise then.... try something else semi-metallic are good as well.
just don't bother with the crappy composite $20 pads that's a waste.... and they make a ton of dust.

 

[wjburken]

In addition to what has already been suggested, I would put some brake/caliper grease on the back side of the pads where they contact the calipers. I’ve had that take solve squeaks in the past.

 

[Doubeleive]

In addition to what has already been suggested, I would put some brake/caliper grease on the back side of the pads where they contact the calipers. I’ve had that take solve squeaks in the past.

I put a LOT of grease on mine and they still get noisy when heated up. theoretically though "grease" should work
I have the Baer erradispeed brakes and they just make noise........intermittently when hot with ceramic pads. no matter what else you try,
the rotors are monsters, I take them to the semi truck shop to get turned and I get asked if they are for a Corvette:? lol

 

[wjburken]

I put a LOT of grease on mine and they still get noisy when heated up. theoretically though "grease" should work
I have the Baer erradispeed brakes and they just make noise........intermittently when hot with ceramic pads. no matter what else you try,
the rotors are monsters, I take them to the semi truck shop to get turned and I get asked if they are for a Corvette:? lol

Not for nothing, but…….you don’t drive the way most people drive.

 

[Fless]

When do they squeak? When applied, or when driving without applying them?

 

[mikez71]

Front or rear? Clean the new rotors before install? Sand them?

Interestingly, my new rear delco rotors say not to use brake cleaner. Just hot soapy water.
I'm thinking it's to protect the paint that they put on them...?

Instructions did say to hand sand them as well, which I was hoping I wouldn't have to do with new rotors.
..but I guess that technique still applies.

 

[Doubeleive]

Not for nothing, but…….you don’t drive the way most people drive.

true but the Silverado don't squeak, neither does the wifes burb.
when I had Carbon Fiber pads and carbon infused rotors holy crap it sounded like a rusty bus that got pulled out of the ocean after sitting in saltwater for 30 years
and talk about brake dust I could clean the wheels and the next day dusty again

 

[YanaCakes]

Front or rear? Clean the new rotors before install? Sand them?

Interestingly, my new rear delco rotors say not to use brake cleaner. Just hot soapy water.
I'm thinking it's to protect the paint that they put on them...?

Instructions did say to hand sand them as well, which I was hoping I wouldn't have to do with new rotors.
..but I guess that technique still applies.

I replaced front and rear. I feel like it's coming from the passenger rear. I did not clean or sand them....But over time, my mechanic has taken my brakes off and checked them a couple of times. He said, seemingly, everything looks good. I have had the same sound for years. Replaced the brakes about a year ago. Pulled away after they were done, sounds the exact same.

 

[YanaCakes]

When do they squeak? When applied, or when driving without applying them?

When applying the brake, mostly heard at lower speeds (slow go traffic up to 20-ish RPM)

 

[mikez71]

Possible if you did not clean them, that the oil could contaminate the pads.? (guessing here, but there must be a reason we are instructed to clean new rotors)

Might help to give your rotors a quick non-directional sanding (150-220 grit I think..)

and maybe blast your pads with brake cleaner and wipe clean..

Since you mention it happened last time...
I notice play in one of my rear calipers. I can move it maybe 1/16" or less. I think its the guide pins or bore being worn. I plan on new calipers with brackets soon. (~$85 a piece from rockauto)

In my case the rear pads were installed incorrectly (not by me, but I could see it happening if someone is rushing) It damaged one piston surface, and I wonder if being cocked put extra wear on the guide pins. (brake pad angled because a nub that was supposed to be on the outside, was installed on the inside which interfered with the piston)

 

[YanaCakes]

Possible if you did not clean them, that the oil could contaminate the pads.? (guessing here, but there must be a reason we are instructed to clean new rotors)

Might help to give your rotors a quick non-directional sanding (150-220 grit I think..)

and maybe blast your pads with brake cleaner and wipe clean..

Since you mention it happened last time...
I notice play in one of my rear calipers. I can move it maybe 1/16" or less. I think its the guide pins or bore being worn. I plan on new calipers with brackets soon. (~$85 a piece from rockauto)

In my case the rear pads were installed incorrectly (not by me, but I could see it happening if someone is rushing) It damaged one piston surface, and I wonder if being cocked put extra wear on the guide pins. (brake pad angled because a nub that was supposed to be on the outside, was installed on the inside which interfered with the piston)

Wow! That is incredibly helpful. I am going to do those things and check the play in my caliper.

 

[YanaCakes]

In addition to what has already been suggested, I would put some brake/caliper grease on the back side of the pads where they contact the calipers. I’ve had that take solve squeaks in the past.

Thank you! I will try that.

 

[j91z28d1]

I fought with sequeling brakes for a while. the first one was a brand I've used on all kinds of stuff, but it was grabby and noisey on this truck. so I switched to Warner brand QS for quiet stop, they have a special set with a build in damper on the pads. that helped a lot, last little bet, especially when cold first backing out of my down hills driveway. more embarrassing than anything. ha.


so I found these gm makes and it took care of the last little bit.

https://a.co/d/baLK6Gx

check this part number before buying thou and I believe they only go on the rear.

 

[YanaCakes]

I fought with sequeling brakes for a while. the first one was a brand I've used on all kinds of stuff, but it was grabby and noisey on this truck. so I switched to Warner brand QS for quiet stop, they have a special set with a build in damper on the pads. that helped a lot, last little bet, especially when cold first backing out of my down hills driveway. more embarrassing than anything. ha.


so I found these gm makes and it took care of the last little bit.

https://a.co/d/baLK6Gx

check this part number before buying thou and I believe they only go on the rear.

Thank you so much! I am going to look into this.

 

[swathdiver]

I have a 2012 Tahoe, 4WD, without air suspension, with 3.5" RC lift. My brakes squeak like a Mack truck. I had the pads, rotors, and hubs replaced. Still the same exact squeak. Mechanic took brakes apart several times and everything looks good, no rubbing, unusual wear. After the truck has been on a lift and brought back down, the squeaking goes away for a little while (one-two drives). I want to rip my hair out. Any ideas?

Were the slides replaced? Did they grease or replace the caliper pin bolts, bushings, etc.

What brand of brakes are you using? GM OE for me, no noise.

 

[Fless]

As mentioned, a little strategically/judiciously -- not overdone -- placed caliper grease (or Sil-glyde) on the piston faces, and the backs of the pads where they may contact the bracket ears might just relieve the vibration. Don't be tempted to lube the sides of the abutment clips that contact the pad ears; the pads should slide easily enough on the stainless clips. But you can lube underneath the clips (on the caliper bracket) to keep the rust jacking at bay if you're in the rust belt.

Also, if the slide pins have (or had) rubber sleeves on one, they may have been removed and not replaced. But I don't think these particular caliper pins call for those rubber parts. YMMV

 

[mikez71]

Been noticing my new GM pads have some adhesive backing now.. (must peel top layer off before installing)

Our Toyota Rav4 has two shims stacked, with a smooth side and coated side.
I put the two smooth sides together figuring the coated sides are made to stick to the caliper/brake pad.
No noise, so maybe I guessed right, because I didn't see instructions and was too lazy to look it up

 

[j91z28d1]

I tried all that. replaced the hardware, greased all the sliders. even tried that old school spray on stuff. probably had the brakes apart 4 times. sometimes they just have a mind of their own.

going to the QS pads from Warner, which I believe is one of the last non race pad made in the USA solved 90% of it. the dampers covered the last little bit. I'm pretty confident if the op installs one on each rear caliper it should be good. you don't even have to pull the wheels off, just slid under and pull one bolt, replace it with the stud and screw on the weight. gm says they are for the growing sound you get when inching forward still on the brakes in a lot of cars. but they dampen everything.



gm completely discontinued the pads and rotors for my truck with no you superseding part number. which I'm not really surprised by since they have dropped all support at this point. they were a low drag spacial part number that's long gone. had I know, I wouldn't have tossed my old ones. things still had half the life at 140k miles. with good regen brake pads are almost a life time part.

 

[NELLY1947]

I have a 2012 Tahoe, 4WD, without air suspension, with 3.5" RC lift. My brakes squeak like a Mack truck. I had the pads, rotors, and hubs replaced. Still the same exact squeak. Mechanic took brakes apart several times and everything looks good, no rubbing, unusual wear. After the truck has been on a lift and brought back down, the squeaking goes away for a little while (one-two drives). I want to rip my hair out. Any ideas?

I would say the same. Are you sure they are GMC pads?? Sounds like too much metal in the pads. They will chew the rotor to death.