crc/de-squeak brake conditioning treatment

CapitalTruck · November 7, 2013

Believe me, I know the dealers install Durastop pads. They should be taken to court over it. People take their cars to get their brakes done thinking they're getting factory stuff and they're not. Let us know how it works, hopefully you'll get it fixed up right.

Mossyoakglock · November 11, 2013

Just an update. Rotors should be here tomorrow so we'll see how it goes.

I'll probably also use Syl-Glide all around this time instead of the CRC brake grease.

Mossyoakglock · November 19, 2013

Well I am at a loss and about to give up. Replaced the pads and rotors on Sunday with the new Akebono pads and OES rotors. Drove to work Monday morning and got the same squeal that I have been getting. I took it to the dealer this morning to have them take a look at it and of course, like always, they could not duplicate the noise yet it did it on the way there. They checked everything out and said everything looked perfect and was functioning as it should (calipers functioning, nothing rubbing or grinding).

So on my way to work this morning as I'm pulling into the parking garage; squeak, squeak, squeak! I don't know what the hell is going on with the brakes. They could not find anything wrong. He said give it another week or so maybe bring it in again. I'm about to say the hell with it and let them make this noise.

My only other options would be to go with the AC Delco OES pads to match the rotor or go with some Raybestos AT pads/rotors. Not sure I want to go with Thermoquiets or not but at this point I don't think different pads and rotors will work but I wonder if a Semi-Metallic would be quieter. I thought that Ceramic pads are supposed to be quieter than Semi-Metallics (something like a Hawk LTS).

I'm at a loss as to what could be going on. In the remote chance, could it be the hub/bearing? I wouldn't think so because it doesn't do it all the time and there is no noise while rolling/driving, only under braking after they get hot.

DaveH71 · November 19, 2013

Only thing left i can think of is to try the adhesive brake quiet stuff that goes on the back on the pads where the shim touches the caliper and also on the other side where the shim touches the piston. Its supposed to stop vibrations by literally gluing the pads to the caliper and piston side respectively. I've never used it but i've had customers vehicles come in with it on and that stuff holds damn tight. I'm not sure where to get it as ive never bought it but i'm sure a local parts store or amazon probably has it.

This is the stuff http://www.amazon.com/CRC-Disc-Brake-Quiet-05016/dp/B000CINV88/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1384903698&sr=8-1&keywords=crc+brake+quiet

Mossyoakglock · November 20, 2013

Yea, I've seen that stuff but it says it is only for pads without shims which mine have shims. Would it still be ok to use with shimmed pads?

My only other thought is that it is the caliper. Maybe when it gets hot the pistons are not making complete contact with the pads. I'm prett certain that its coming from the right side too.

Could too much grease be causing something not to slide correctly? The dealer said everything was lubed properly though. I do remember that when I removed the factory pads there was absolutely no grease anywhere. Same on my dads avalanche.

DaveH71 · November 20, 2013

Give that CRC stuff a try, it will still work the same whether there is a shim there or not.

I use lube very sparingly when i do my brake job. I've never used that CRC stuff personally but i have seen it on vehicles i've worked on. I also never grease the back of the pads with shims because its just not needed but your case is an exception and we are trying to track down the noise. We need to try the cheapest things possible first instead of throwing parts at the vehicle. The pads and rotors are clearly not the problem.

Try that CRC on the back of both pads on each wheel. I have a feeling something is out of spec with the calipers, allowing play somewhere. The CRC will eliminate the brake pads from the equation as it secures them in place like an epoxy.

Mossyoakglock · November 20, 2013

I'll give the stuff a try. It will be a few weeks until i can get to it though. It's getting cold and I don't have a garage to do the work so ill have to go somewhere else. My plan was to check them in about two weeks to make sure the pads are wearing evenly. Maybe they just need a week or so to fully break in. When I do that I'll regrease but use a little less.

The OEM caliper is only about $115 from rockauto so if I need to do that it's not that big of deal to replace. I wouldn't think a caliper bracket would be bent or anything either. That would take a lot of force to bend and I would know if that was the case right away. Just trying to weed out any possible scenario.

amc31b · November 21, 2013

Sorry to hear you having such troubles, you have been fighting this for a long time. The dealer confirmed there is nothing mechanically wrong and you have already upgraded the rotors to a better quality rotor.

What I would do is go buy another set of pads from an actual brick and mortar store in your area, either wagner thermoquiet or Napa premium, (which are raybestos) and hang on to the reciept. Install the new pads and drive for a few days or weeks to see if the noise goes away. If the noise goes away, you know it was the akebono pads making the noise. If the noise does not go away, return either the new pads you just bought, saying they didn't fit quite right and you want a refund. Take the money you get back and buy the CRC brake quiet spray and treat the rotors with it. If the noise still persists, deal with the noise the best you can, you are S.O.L.....

Sorry man.

Gurrzt · November 21, 2013

Yes, I have the "cheap aftermarket junk" on Sara (2001 Z28).

I have Baer Eradaspeed + rotors ($545 front, $300 rear) and Hawk "HPS" brake pads ($80 front, $60 rear) and the especially crappy Russell SS braided hose brake lines ($115 for all 5, rated to 300 psi).

Sara's brakes are now far more responsive, with no soft pedal, and no "fading" when applying the brakes. There are no warping issues existing, that I had with the incredibly high quality stock GM brake system.

I used the packet of grease (to the back of the pads) that was supplied to me with the crappy brake pads, and have no issues with squeals or noises.

Mossyoakglock · November 21, 2013

I had a thought last night and that could it possibly be the rear shoes? They are new AC Delco Durastops.

I might pull the drums and make sure everything still has a grease on it and make sure that the rear cylinders are moving and functioning properly. Does anybody know what the AC Delco shoe friction material is?

Would it make that much different with the noise if they were ceramic vs semi-metallic? When I go for an alignment, I might have them resurface the drums.

amc31b · November 22, 2013

The brakes should be ceramic. Ceramics are pretty much the standard these days and for good reason. You have already messed with your drums, I dont think it is them making the noise. As an alternative, you could have an independant shop use the Electronic ear system, which places microphones all over your truck and will tell you where the noise is coming from. That wont be cheap but it will nail down where the noise is coming from.

I still recommend you try a different set of brake pads, keep the reciept and return them if the noise still persists.

Mossyoakglock · November 22, 2013

If I do go with different pads I don't know which I would go with. I'm thinking either Raybestos or Wagner Thermoquiets but I'm also thinking about going back to the AC Delco OES to go back to what came from the factory.

I'll see what stores around me have in stock and go from there.

amc31b · November 22, 2013

Napa premium are raybestos brakes, your local napa will have one of them in stock.

Advance auto carries Wagner thermoquiet and should be in stock.

I would just get one of those, whichever store you think will have an easier return policy. I have had no problems with napa or advance auto myself.

Mossyoakglock · November 23, 2013

Are Carquest Raybestos as well? I thought one of theirs were. I don't have any Napas close so those are not an option locally.

I'll probably go with Wagners.

amc31b · November 24, 2013

Do it, Wagner thermoquiets are great! If your brakes are still making noise, it wont be because of the thermoquiet pads. It is worth a try and if they still make noise, just return them and move on.