Brake pad questions
 

First off, my car has around 18,800 miles on it. I get a light squeak from the front wheel area at low speeds that goes away when I apply the brakes. Is this the wear indicator telling me I need new pads? I kind of thought the wear indicators would squeak when the brakes are applied, not the other way around, but I guess I'm just not entirely sure how that works. Also, how many miles did you get out of your first set of front pads?

An answer to any of the above would help. Somebody say something :(

this is for the most part normal...Our caliper design keeps brake pedal travel in check by keeping the piston (and pads) as close to the rotor as possible...This is great for keeping the pedal travel the same for the life of the pads, but also allows the pads to skip off the rotor surface often even when the brake pedal is not pressed...

And yes this also may be a sign that your pads are past their service limit...Your mileage is pretty low however (I got about 40,000 out of my front pads)...I too started experiencing pad squeel at low speeds which seemed to increase during turning. it also only seemed to be coming from the right wheel and the sound would not go away when I pressed the pedal, it just got louder. The pads do squeel when they are done, but pull your wheels and measure the pad depth to see if it is that they are done, or simply that one of the retaining clips has been lost or damaged. That would allow the pads to chatter as well...This would make a little more sense if the sound goes away when you press the brake pedal...

I thought the pads looked really close to the rotors! I suppose this could also mean I have a warped rotor. I described the problem to a service guy at a local dealer and he was just going to replace the brake pads.

It seems to be coming from the left front wheel (maybe just an illusion though) and it does increase while turning. The squeal goes away when I press the pedal, but the pads do feel a bit more gritchy when coming to a complete stop than before.

I can do this later in the week (when my springs should be in!).

My Contour's rear discs kept losing their retaining clips. Talk about a rattle that could annoy the hell out of you! I'd try to just buy the retaining clips and the parts dept would tell me I'd have to buy the whole assembly :mad:

Anyway, thanks for your comments!

It must be that the pads have had it, the rotor does not have to be warped for the pad backings to be close...but get them machined when you get new pads...

and if you are looking into performance pads of some kind, check out this thread: http://www.protegeclub.com/forum/sho...threadid=29380

I have a squeak in my front left wheel and its been there for over a week. It goes away when I hit the brake pedal. Is this the wear indicator telling me I need to change my pads?

If so, can anyone recommend good quality brake pads?

if you need new rotors due to excessive warping. I'll be more than happy to include your name on my Brembo rotors GB list. check the vendor section for more info if you're interested.

you pimp:D

I may be a pimp but I'm pimping to FURTHER THE PROTEGE COMMUNITY!!

p.s. I prefer Raybestos Performance Plus pads. they are dustless and noiselss and have a very good bite. usually only about $10-12 more per set.

BINGO!!
It's the wear indicator! If the squeak goes away when you hit the pedal, chances are it's time for new brake pads.

I bought "Axxis Ultimate" pads for my P5 and the wear indicator grinded a groove into the rotor in a week. Not Cool. :( I ended up biting the bullet and buying OEM pads from the dealer for 100 bucks, but at least they came with ALL new hardware and they fit!

and Natey....you forgot to mention that you recommend he buy the Brembo rotors from me...right!!