Have This Odd Noise When Braking: Help

[Chuck]

Long Post warning but I need your help badly.

Alright guys I have been bitching about this for quit a while but I never made a topic. So I bought my R1 Concepts Premium slotted rotors w/ Hawk HPS pads about a year ago (all four corners), very nice looking rotor and good pads. Well sure enough I get brake squeal as soon as I put them on. I was told by R1 a couple times that I have to redo the bedding process, well to my luck it didn't work and I have done it numerous times. I had my mechanic at the time look at it and he said its related to the slotted rotors. Alright fast forward to 2 weeks ago, I still deal with squeal but I don't really care at this point as long as it stops. I just bought my Moda R6 wheels (Very Sexy wheels and very hard to find). They are heavier wheels are are 2 inches bigger (18x9) and wider in addition to a heavy tire. I slapped these babies on and to my surprise the noise was gone, I thought I hit the jackpot but I was wrong :mad:. I am now getting a horrid noise everytime I come to a slow stop (worse than before). Its hard to describe but when I apply the brake the Jeep gurgles a bit and then when I reach about 10 mph going down to 0, I hear these horrid continuous mouse squeals. Its seriously pissing me off. Now my braking is fine, no pedal shake or anything like that but this noise is a killer. Does anybody know what the problem is? I would take it back to my mechanic but he is out of the business for the time being due to health problems. Im thinking it might be the front slotted rotors but I would like to hear what you guys think. I don't want to buy new smooth rotors and next thing you know that isn't it. Thanks for any help. :thumbsup:

[Chaoul1]

Well the wheels are heavier meaning that they have to work a bit harder to stop the Jeep. That's one thing. I don't know before you put the Brakes on why they were squeeeaaking. Just take a look at your brakes and see if the wear indicator is touching the rotor. It should look like a little shiny metal tab. If it isn't I'm sure someone else would help.

[DJ BoNiOmArIo]

have you tried using different types of pads ???

what about your caliper is that working right ? sometimes those squeals can come from that, did you make sure to clear all brake dust when putting in new rotors ?

my money is on the pads cuz Scott and Joe have mentioned that those hawk pads do nothing but squeal

[Chuck]

Alright where exactly is this wear indicator? How does it look like, I know you said shiny metal tab but I don't want to pry the wrong thing you know.

The reason Im thinking its the rotor pad combo was because Marty also had the same setup and complained of some noise (and apparently changing his rotors and pads although I don't know how much miles he put on them, I only put 5K). I'll be honest I don't know how these were installed since I had some unrelated shop do them for me.

BTW whats up with the 18 guests?, if you own a Jeep or interested, just register :thumbsup:

[DJ BoNiOmArIo]

lol we have way more guests surfing than members ...

dunno bout the wear indicator

[Chaoul1]

The wear indicator was the problem on my WJ when I put BRAND NEW Brake pads on them. They kept squeaking and squealing and all kinds of stuff. It actually made a Groove in my rotor after 3,000 Miles!

Ok the wear indicator is on the Brake Pad. Look around the front of the brake pad or the back. You should see it. In more detail they are a Very Thin Metal Tab connected on the brake pad. Look into the Caliper.

[Megatron]

Its the mice having sex..... (inside joke)

[Chuck]

Its the mice having sex..... (inside joke)

ROFL its nuts :lol:

[Chuck]

The wear indicator was the problem on my WJ when I put BRAND NEW Brake pads on them. They kept squeaking and squealing and all kinds of stuff. It actually made a Groove in my rotor after 3,000 Miles!

Ok the wear indicator is on the Brake Pad. Look around the front of the brake pad or the back. You should see it. In more detail they are a Very Thin Metal Tab connected on the brake pad. Look into the Caliper.

Crap I don't have tools to even remove my wheel, and I don't even know how to get to the brake pads :lol:

[robpp]

i wonder CHUCK if something like wheel bearing play has anything to do with it. only say this as lots have the R1 and HPS combo without an issue. i think looking beyond the pads and rotors may be needed.

but when the pads were installed, did they put that brake squel stop stuff on the back of the pads?

[Chaoul1]

Check and make sure that little rocks of something didn't get stuck inbetween the Pads and the Rotors. You never know. Is it only come from one side?

[Chuck]

I don't know :( and I know what you mean Rob tons of people have this combo and have never had an issue, thats why Im wondering what the problem is. Im thinking I might get R1 Smooth rotors for the front with Hawk HPS pads or another brand and have Strauss install them, I assume they would do it right. I'll post a photo of my rotors in a couple days and see if you guys think anything is abnormal. Like I said Im not quick to change things out since I still need new front tires first :o

[Chuck]

Check and make sure that little rocks of something didn't get stuck inbetween the Pads and the Rotors. You never know. Is it only come from one side?

I honestly can't tell which side, all I know is that this is coming from the front for sure. Like I said it not only squeal, it gurgles first which is weird.

[Chuck]

Are you guys familiar with those dump trucks or semis that have those real loud ass brakes, I think they are called jake brakes. When I hit the brakes at any speed (louder at high speeds), my truck sound like that from the inside and most likely outside. :confused::confused::confused::confused: this is ridiculous. I'll post photos of my rotors tomorrow. Im so fed up. So Rob what should I look for in terms of wheel bearing, where exactly is it located? These problems are annoying :mad:

[Megatron]

****ing mice... Lol

[Chuck]

****ing mice... Lol


ROFL alright if I have this problem when we meet up you will hear it. Mouse Sex!!!!!

[Megatron]

Nice :clap:

lawlrus dance to mouse sex, hopefully this cheers you up LOL.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y267/Sean_thomson/Walrus_plays_saxophone.gif

[Chuck]

Nice :clap:

lawlrus dance to mouse sex, hopefully this cheers you up LOL.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y267/Sean_thomson/Walrus_plays_saxophone.gif

LMAO Im thinking of the noise my brakes make as the noise coming out of the trumpet ROFL.

[Chuck]

Alright so today I probably had the worst day I've had in a long time. Went out and decided to get a wheel alignment at Strauss because I noticed my Jeep pulls to the left once I stop. While going there my driver side window regulator decided to pop (literally) and drop the glass :mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad: . It nicked my tint but whatever.


Anyway I opted to get the wheel alignment first. It took forever and the guy claimed to have everything straightened out, great right? but then he tells me I noticed in test driving it and aligning it your left brake caliper is seizing and that my control arm bushings are shot or some other word :eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad: :mad::mad::mad: Could these two horrendous things be the culprit of the noise? By the way the mouse squeals haven't happened in a while but the brake squeal (as if my brakes were out) still occur. By the way, they quoted me 582.55 for the the two control arms, another alignment, some brake fluid etc. Anybody familiar with the calipers strauss use? Any ideas on better companies for caliper/arms etc?

[Chuck]

Heres the physical quote:

http://i729.photobucket.com/albums/ww299/Chuck1003/Various/scan.jpg

Like I said are there better brands (for calipers and arms) or should I stick with their stuff (don't even know the brand)? As of right I don't have the cash but let me know of all options I want to crap taken care of.

Edit: This idiot told me bushings, he claims the whole arms has to be replaced. WTF!?!? I can believe the story about the calipers but this?

[Martyp]

\The reason Im thinking its the rotor pad combo was because Marty also had the same setup and complained of some noise (and apparently changing his rotors and pads although I don't know how much miles he put on them, I only put 5K). I'll be honest I don't know how these were installed since I had some unrelated shop do them for me.

I think its probably the pads to be honest. I get a squeaking noise from the rear (solid) rotors braking when they are cold.

The front sound really rough when braking heavy where I have the grooved rotors. Thing is all my rotors are as straight as an old record thats been out in the sun all day! :lol:

I bought new EBC solid rotors and pads to ensure compatibility and get rid of brake noise which will be getting fitted tomorrow or Thursday. I'll post up the results here for you Chuck. :thumbsup:

Oh, I have 2 1/2k miles on my rotors/pads and they still sounded the same with the OEM 17" wheels I used over Winter.

[Chuck]

Def keep me posted.

Guys any help on the caliper suggestions?

[Chuck]

Anybody? I know Im bumping this fast. But having a problem with my brake system is not something I want to keep having (I drive this daily on highway and city). Just to reiterate, Im told I need a new left front caliper because my current one is seizing up which might explain the noise and the recent pulling to the left. In addition I was suggested to buy new lower control arms because the bushings are cracked. All the info is 3 posts up. Any suggestions on brand of caliper? Are there calipers which surpass OEM and fit my WJ with my wheels? Anything. Thanks guys, any help is appreciated.

[bmflyfish]

Heres the physical quote:

http://i729.photobucket.com/albums/ww299/Chuck1003/Various/scan.jpg

Like I said are there better brands (for calipers and arms) or should I stick with their stuff (don't even know the brand)? As of right I don't have the cash but let me know of all options I want to crap taken care of.

Edit: This idiot told me bushings, he claims the whole arms has to be replaced. WTF!?!? I can believe the story about the calipers but this?

The repair shop wants to do what is easiest and that is to replace the entire control arms, but you can just replace the bushings. Do not worry about the control arms, I would worry about the brakes and the ball joints. If your lower ball joints are bad, then your upper are probably not far behind. The front end is going to be dissassembled for the lower so the labor is not going to really change for the replacement of the uppers. Also on the quote there is a charge for "hotshot" . What is it and why is it $92.00?

[Chuck]

I have no clue what hotshot is. And yeah the caliper ordeal is really on my mind first. Is a Strauss sold caliper sufficient?

[Martyp]

Okay Chuck, got the new rotors and pads fitted today with the annual inspection (passed, no issues woohoo :D ). Drove home, only about 1 mile right enough, but the silence was bliss!

Still need to 'bed' the pads in but so far so good! Definitely go for solid rotors, good pads and your braking noises will be gone!

[Chuck]

Okay Chuck, got the new rotors and pads fitted today with the annual inspection (passed, no issues woohoo :D ). Drove home, only about 1 mile right enough, but the silence was bliss!

Still need to 'bed' the pads in but so far so good! Definitely go for solid rotors, good pads and your braking noises will be gone!

Excellent news :thumbsup:, sadly I gotta roll with the slots until they are completely done. Actually first I need to fix this caliper. The pull gets a bit harsh at times.

Bump for caliper suggestions.

[Martyp]

I was driving to work this morning and my steering began to shake again and I noticed a squeaking noise. Had a busy day at work so just ignored it. Drove home tonight, steering shook even worse and the squeak returned. Inspected the brakes, 3 were normal and one at the front was smoking. :(

Going to need to get a new calliper too, although I'm just gonna go for the Akebono callipers which were fitted to the late 02> WJs. Found a good deal on them with the Mopar rotors and pads, still something I could do without though as I want other things done... :(

[nwb300]

They are playing you. You are better off buying your own parts and have a local mechanic that you trust to put them on if you don't want to do it yourself. I know there are guys on here that have a good website for every part of our jeep. I know of a few but not one off the top of my head for control arm.

[Chuck]

I was driving to work this morning and my steering began to shake again and I noticed a squeaking noise. Had a busy day at work so just ignored it. Drove home tonight, steering shook even worse and the squeak returned. Inspected the brakes, 3 were normal and one at the front was smoking. :(

Going to need to get a new calliper too, although I'm just gonna go for the Akebono callipers which were fitted to the late 02> WJs. Found a good deal on them with the Mopar rotors and pads, still something I could do without though as I want other things done... :(

Damn sorry to hear Marty, its a mofo man. I actually think Im gonna have to change both front calipers because not only does it pull left it also pull right sometimes :(. If I were you I would change both fronts to the Akebono so you don't have to deal with premature warping.

They are playing you. You are better off buying your own parts and have a local mechanic that you trust to put them on if you don't want to do it yourself. I know there are guys on here that have a good website for every part of our jeep. I know of a few but not one off the top of my head for control arm.

I figured Strauss was playing me, the prices are marked up high. Only thing is finding the best place to get these things.

[Chuck]

Its been a while but I should update this:

My problems were: Brake Squeal, mouse squeal going from 0-10 and 10-0 and loss of control when hitting bumps and random wandering (to the right) of the steering wheel when coming to a stop.

I went to another place (thank god) and had my ties rods/sleeves changed (they were busted up and were loose so nothing was stabilizing when I hit bumps or turns (Strauss made it worse though because they pretty much beat the thing to death, evidence of some seriously damage to the sleeve). There was also nothing wrong with the lower control arm bushings as Strauss claimed. The problem got significantly less but wasn't completely gone. I didn't have much time to drop it off again (Vacay at Cali :D) until today. The pull seems to have come from a seized up caliper pin on my front left wheel. They removed all of the front caliper pins and lubed the shit out of it and placed it back in (I had my brakes done by a hole in the whole shop who apparently didn't put anything on the pins, I saw them for myself) . They also changed a brake hose at zero cost just for precaution since it would pull right when stopping. So hopefully that solves the problem, my braking has improved also.

The mouse squeal is coming from my front driveshaft by the differential so Im not sure what that is and honestly I didn't have it checked out since Im willing to bet I need a new drive shaft or input thingamajig lol. The noise is something that can be heard from the outside but not quite inside so as of right now Im not really worrying about that. I still need to buy shocks haha.

[Chuck]

Didn't help one bit :rolleyes::mad:

Guys any ideas on what the problem can be?

Heres the problem: Everytime I come to a slow stop my steering wheel begins to turn forcefully towards to the right normally, it has done it to the left a couple times. In general in straight driving I find myself needing to adjust the steering wheel despite going straight. I know what your thinking maybe its an alignment problem. Well when my problem first happened, I changed the tie rods and by default I had an alignment done. But its still doing it. Its a chore to drive now because I have to constantly adjust the steering wheel when honestly I shouldn't have to. Any ideas?

My Brakes: R1 Premium Slotted w Hawk HPS Pads
Wheels: Moda R6 18x9 w/ Kumho Ecsta STX 255/55 18
Only suspension mod: Addco rear sway bar