Extremely bad squealing brakes

[omadus]

I have an 09 VE HSV with the HSV brakes. After driving for a while the brakes start to squeal every time I slow down. This is not normal. The car sounds like a steam train pulling up to a station. What could be the issue here? A previous mechanic said it’s only dirty disks etc, well I want it fixed as I’m over hearing this horrible noise, it’s embarrassing and not right. There is plenty of brake pad left on all 4.

Has anyone had extremely bad squealing/screeching of the HSV brakes and how did you fix?

I’ll take it to a brake mechanic to get this sorted if I have no luck. If it happens again I’ll just keep taking the car back until it’s fixed!

Thanks in advance

 

[UTE042_NZ]

Squealing (disk) brakes are usually caused by vibration. Vibration can itself have many causes. Dust, rust, missing parts, lack of lubrication, to name a few.

Popular Mechanics "How to Fix Squeaky Brakes"

Youtube "How to Stop Your Brakes from Squeaking"

 

[gossie]

Give the brakes a good fast workout. Use them hard.

 

[greenacc]

How do you usually drive the car? If you drive it too gently those big brakes may not be heating up enough to work in their designed temperature range, resulting in the bad noises your hearing.
So maybe try what gossie said. It that works for a while and the noise comes back in a week or 2 it might pay to investigate some different pads that suit your everyday driving.
Any idea what type of brake pads are in it at the moment?

 

[omadus]

Not sure about pads however they were put in by fleetsales. They may of used a cheep brand possibly. I’ve done the 80 to 0 hard brake procedure, it worked a while ago. When I do the hard braking currently the noise becomes louder.

I think I may have to take it to a brake specialist to get them inspected for lose parts etc. possibly new brake pads inspect the disks, maybe even machine the disks if they’re too smooth. It’s seriously loud, I asked the mechanic to inspect them during service no issues. I brought the car back to mechanic last week and he’s stating the car sound like a steam train. I said “well I asked you guys to get this fixed 3 months ago”. Pretty stupid of them to be talking about the brakes like that when they haven’t fixed the problem imo.

 

[VR38]

Re squealing breaks...
Sounds like the BRAKE pads are worn out.
If you don't change the broken brake pads you will break the brake rotors also...

 

[kwaka738]

Had the same problem years ago on my old EB Falcon. It was poor quality pads and the fix was get the discs machined and fit new pads. Get it done all at once.

 

[TAS1981]

I have squeaky brakes using some forum favourites from a while ago, QFM something or other. What I found was that the original pads had plastic shims on the pad backs that stopped the sound. Additionally I think it took up a little bit of slack. The new pads when I apply the brake there is a click as they engage the pad and a squeal coasting in. They have no plastic shim on them, just metal pad back.

So likely its vibration. You could use some silicone grease on the pad backs (or copper grease but silicone grease is less likely to kill the seals I have heard) but that or any other "treatment" will be a temporary fix I would expect. Failing that buy some new pads with the shims on the back.

 

[gossie]

Have u had the wheels off to take a look at the pads?

 

[omadus]

Have u had the wheels off to take a look at the pads?

I’ll do that when I get my car back. The front have 50% left and back brake pads are hardly used...

I’ll check to see if I can sand off any impurities on the pads or inspect for grit... I might even get a new set of HD brake pads and use the metal clips if the current ones are worn. I’ll be sure to post if I have or haven’t fixed the problem.