[Allez]

Hi all,
I've recently noticed some squealing of the brakes at low speeds (eg pulling in or out of the garage). I don't race, I don't ride my brakes, and I don't brake aggressively. I know I'll probably have to either find out how to check the brake pads myself or bring it to the dealer (really really don't want to), but what are the chances my brake pads need to be replaced? It doesn't seem to be enough miles to have worn down my brakes.

[sr71bb]

Originally Posted by Allez

Hi all,
I've recently noticed some squealing of the brakes at low speeds (eg pulling in or out of the garage). I don't race, I don't ride my brakes, and I don't brake aggressively. I know I'll probably have to either find out how to check the brake pads myself or bring it to the dealer (really really don't want to), but what are the chances my brake pads need to be replaced? It doesn't seem to be enough miles to have worn down my brakes.

Well 20K for stock pads would be a little early for them to be worn out but its possible. You can take a flashlight and take a look at how much pad is still left. If the pad portion is 1/4 inch (6MM) or less than they definitely need to be replaced. It is harder to check out the INSIDE pad from a visibility point but typically I have found that the inside pads wear out FASTER than the outside pads.

The squealing MAY BE due to the the BRAKE SQUEALERS (yes they are actually called that) touching the rotor (the small metal tab that extends toward the rotor and is attached to the backing plate of the pad). Others just called them wear indicators.

VERBATIM:
Brake wear indicators (also known as squealers) are elements of your brake pads designed to squeak once the layers of your brake pads are worn out. Yes, you read that right. Drivers are often surprised to learn that their squeaky brakes are designed to sound that way.

On a side note alot of HIGH PERFORMANCE brake pads DO NOT have squealers so when you start to hear GRINDING, you probably have RUINED a rotor due to the pad being completely worn down where the backing plate is making DIRECT contact with the rotor. Thats why alot of us track rats check the brake pads after each and every track day.

[LT1ornothing]

Originally Posted by Allez

Hi all,
I've recently noticed some squealing of the brakes at low speeds (eg pulling in or out of the garage). I don't race, I don't ride my brakes, and I don't brake aggressively. I know I'll probably have to either find out how to check the brake pads myself or bring it to the dealer (really really don't want to), but what are the chances my brake pads need to be replaced? It doesn't seem to be enough miles to have worn down my brakes.

20K miles doesn't seem like much, but if you are constantly braking with lots of traffic in a heavy automatic car, it is certainly possible to quickly wear down the front pads. I get a light squeal if the car sits for a few days, but immediately goes away after applying the brakes once. Like sr71bb said, check the pads.

[BlackbeastSS2]

There is TSB on this subject. If you are still under warranty you might get the rotors replaced. I did while under warranty, but had to pay for fresh pads.

[Gen6cyl]

Mine have been squeaking for about 5k miles. I'm at 38 k miles now. I have noticed other gen6 doing same thing. I'll check discs and pads closer at next tire rotation.

[ctrlz]

I doubt the pads are worn. Check the rotors for grooves. The stock pads on a 2SS are semi-metallic. These are pretty hard on the rotors and create a lot of dust as a result. Many here, including me, switched to ceramic pads and are happier with no detectable loss in stopping power. If you track the car you will notice a difference. I went with powerstop z26 pads.

[Gen6cyl]

I think you are right. The noise is at light brake applications. I don't have brake dust. Thanks for pad info.

[ctrlz]

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

This what I went with. Price has gone up 10% since I did mine. Like everything else!

[Gen6cyl]

Appreciate it.

[Rock-It Man]

You can see the wear indicators that would squeal if the pads were worn out. Use a flashlight. They are easily visible. If there's a gap between the indicators and the disc, your pads are OK.

When the wear indicators reach the discs, the pads are toast and the squeal is LOUD.

A bit of squeal at low speed and light braking is of no concern, if you have a lot of pad thickness left.

[Allez]

Thanks to everyone for your help. I'll try with a flashlight. Stupid question - I can see this without taking out the brake pads?
Incidentally I don't do much stop and go driving, since this is not my daily driver.

[Grimlock212]

Originally Posted by Allez

Thanks to everyone for your help. I'll try with a flashlight. Stupid question - I can see this without taking out the brake pads?
Incidentally I don't do much stop and go driving, since this is not my daily driver.

Yes you can check them without removing the pads. My guess is if you took the car onto a backroad and are able to do a few 80-0 max braking runs you might fix the issue. Allow things to cool a bit between runs. That said, high performance brakes do make some noise from time to time and it should be expected.

[2004YZFR1]

Use your phone with the flash and you can easily see how much pad you have left and how close the squealer is.

[22SS1LE]

i only have 850miles and mine squeals with light breaking and coming to a stop. Kinda annoying. If i apply little more pressure it will go away but I dont want to be making more abrupt stops coming to lights and stops signs.