Whenever I start out I get this horrible squeaking/squealing from the brakes- WITHOUT applying any pressure. When I hit the brakes, the noise goes completely away. I took the car in just to make sure they were still safe to drive on (which they are), and of course my mechanic couldn't hear it or see anything that would make it (rusty rotors, extra dust, rocks, etc.). I've been known to drive my car aggressively, and I'm wondering if I just bumped the pad and rotor out of alignment. Does that sound right? The noise does go away after a little bit of driving. Opinions please-

 

Glazed pads maybe??

 

What do you mean by glazed?

 

Pad glazing comes from overheating the brake pad well above it's temperature rating,this creates a cloudy film on the pad surface...You stated in your post that you sometimes drive aggresively..


It may also just be cheap pads causing the squealing....

 

sounds more like the caliper isn't sliding right.
I've had that happen before.
Normally I just replace the pads and rotors and it's good to go.
the reason it works is because when the pad gets low it starts to ride on a different section of the slide that has had corrosion built up and it doesn't move freely anymore.

 

Well, I only seem to notice the noise when I start out, and it doesn't do anything when the brakes are on. I think the mechanic estimated that ~40% of the pads were left, so its not like I need new ones, but if I can't fix this squealing, I may just have to replace them. Recommendations?

 

i had this same pesky noise in the front and the back. i replaced pads and rotors in the front and the noise went away...of course i had pretty much no pads left. The rears still make the noise because my caliper froze up it has warped the rotor. so it rubs on only one part of the rotor....now i have to fix those and replace the caliper with the one sitting in the trunk. did the mechanincs you took it too chek to see if the rotors were warped?

 

Well, they said they shouldn't be making noise "due to rust," so I would assume they looked at least a little at the rotors, but not that closely. But I don't think that would be the reason just because the noise does go away after a little driving.

 

my squeaking happens all the time going forward... and when i back up OMG cover your ears... i mean WAY super loud its very embarassing lol just putting my $0.02 in

 

I'm going to take back what I said about the noise going away after a little driving. I was out all day today and it never stopped (unless I was stopped or stopping). I'm starting to think one of the rotors is a little warped. Its a frequent chirping as opposed to a squeal, especially in gradual turns. I'm thinking I'll be taking the max in again soon to see what needs replacing, so does anyone have suggestions for good aftermarket rotors and/or brake pads?

 

Brembo blanks on rotors and bendix/wagner on pads

 

I got the same problem. I thought it was because i always speed and then have to apply the brakes in a harsh mannor!?.. Also my e-brake warning light is now permanently on and never turns off Any help or direction to a link would be great. Thanks

 

low brake fluid will cause that light to be on also

 

So your brakes squeal without pressure? Your driving style sounds like mine. Are you still running the origninal/OEM rotors and pads?

Also, Internetautomar, is the stuff you suggested earlier a notable upgrade from stock?

 

They aren't a huge upgrade, but they do make for nice brakes with little to no noise and dust.
if you want stopping power then you need better tires and pads.
but "better" pads will probably dust and squeek more

 

Believe me, I know performance brakes will squeak. I just know my brakes aren't supposed to make that noise and that's what bugs me. Now if I had some hp brakes that squeaked from light pressure, it wouldn't bother me so much.

 

I'm having the same exact problem with mine. At first, they just made noise when I began to accelerate, but now it makes this really loud noise-coming from all 4 wheels. The funny thing is that the brake pads are still in good condition and the rotors are brembo blanks-I'd say very good condition as well. Have no idea what's causing this squeeking noise-very embarrasing to drive like this, and it makes me nervous that I'm causing more damage to whatever is happening. I'm thinking of just going to the stealership and having them check on it. One thing I've noticed is that once I took the brake pads out, the rotor was moving back and forth freely, not sure if this is normal, but I kinda thought it was weird. Any input will be appreciated.
Thank you!

 

just take it to a midas for a free estimate, and have them SHOW you what is wrong

 

Maybe I should do that... Finding time is the hard part.

 

isn't that the truth

 

I'm in the process of replacing my pads. Front ones aren't bad at all, plenty left, it's just that there was a lot of crap/dirt stuck to the inside pad-grove when I took them off. Maybe all that dirt was scraping against the rotors, hence all that annoying noise. The rear pads need to be replaced for sure, so I could understand noise coming out of the rears. After replacing all pads, I'll see if this will fix the noise issue. If this won't do, I'm going to Midas for a free estimate for sure!