Rear Brake Change Help...

[bassadict69]

The last couple of days I have noticed a grinding sound when I brake, (sounds like coming from rear) but looking at the pads the best I can through my rims, they look to have a good bit left on them. Is there something else this grinding sound could be?

 

If I change them, what brand of pads should I get? I have to get them at O Reilly since I get a discount...there options are Wagner, Brakebest, & Delco.

 

Any problems I should expect to run into when changing them?

[C & A s Dad]

I can address the brand question. I personally would go with the Raybestos if these are your choices. They have been our (CARQUEST) supplier for years and offer great pad options. I cannot tell you which grades are avail in the Raybestos name brand but they offer us 3 grade levels and each grade is avail in Met or Ceramic. If you go with their premium or even mid grade you will be happy with them.

 

The Wagner Thermo Quiet is alos a nice pad and is very quiet. They just are not known for their longevity.

[Norseman]

I can address the brand question. I personally would go with the Raybestos if these are your choices. They have been our (CARQUEST) supplier for years and offer great pad options. I cannot tell you which grades are avail in the Raybestos name brand but they offer us 3 grade levels and each grade is avail in Met or Ceramic. If you go with their premium or even mid grade you will be happy with them.

 

The Wagner Thermo Quiet is alos a nice pad and is very quiet. They just are not known for their longevity.

 

 

I must agree with Trey. Go to CarQuest but if you must choose from what you listed then use the Wagner.

[JAF1]

Might want to pick up a new set of rotors while your at it or plan on getting them cut. That grinding sound is in inner rear pad on the passenger side cutting into the rotor. Not sure why but this pad will go first even though the others look good. I replaced mine with NAPA's top of the line ceramic pads and rotors. They seemed to be of very high quality. Not sure who makes them for them. Do a search for rear brakes and you will find more info on this problem. You'll also see some info about the rear parking brake that may be a problem once you pop the rotor off.

 

Good luck.

[bassadict69]

Might want to pick up a new set of rotors while your at it or plan on getting them cut. That grinding sound is in inner rear pad on the passenger side cutting into the rotor. Good luck.

 

That is exactly what the problem is...I just carried the truck down to Midas for a FREE brake inspection & that is what we found. The rotor had been chewed up a bit but they mic'd it & said it could be turned. The parking shoes inside the rotor looked ok.

 

Should I replace the one rotor rather than turn it?

 

Time to price some parts!

[bassadict69]

Picked up a set of Wagner Ceramic pads at lunch...

 

Any special tools or socket needed to do this job?

[C & A s Dad]

Never done the backs so I cannot help you there. There is nothing wrong with turning the rotor as long as it is still in spec and you find someone who can properly operate at brake lathe. Many shops and parts stores have there least experienced person turning rotors and they come out smooth but not necessarily evenly cut.

 

Whether new or not, be sure to clean those puppies good before putting those new pads on them.

 

One other thing, if the pads already have the silencer shims on the back, I would recommend not using any additional anti squeal material. The silencer pads should do the job if everything else is right.

[bassadict69]

Thanks for the help!

 

Should I turn both rotors even though only one is really bad?

[bassadict69]

I changed out the rear brakes last night...nothing to it, the longest part was waiting on the rotors to get turned.

 

It is a d**n shame though, I was changing 3 perfectly good pads due to the one bad pad that was on the inside passenger side. That one pad was basically gone...pad was used & worn clear down to the metal backing.

 

What exactly causes that to happen? Seems to me like something ain't quite working right for that to happen...Thanks GM!

[colosilverado]

I changed out the rear brakes last night...nothing to it, the longest part was waiting on the rotors to get turned.

 

It is a d**n shame though, I was changing 3 perfectly good pads due to the one bad pad that was on the inside passenger side. That one pad was basically gone...pad was used & worn clear down to the metal backing.

 

What exactly causes that to happen? Seems to me like something ain't quite working right for that to happen...Thanks GM!

 

 

I'm actually surprised that you didn't have to replace the rotors. Mine were thrashed from the E-brake tearing it up from the inside. I was told it is a Gm design flaw and that sometime even though you think you have disengaged the E-brake, it is still engaged just a tad...or something like that. Ironically, mine was thrashed even though I rarely use the E-brake. I am still riding on the stock front pads at 140K miles. I really need to get her in and checked again though as I pile up the mileage. I'm worried that I am living on borrowed time on many things. I sense a new thread getting started by me soon....

[RyanbabZ71]

I had the orignal pads on the rears changed at 18K miles by the dealer under warranty. Then at about 30K miles I changed them to Bosch due to them making all kinds of noise. I have about 68K miles (38 total on the Bosch) and they are still holding up great (knock on wood)

 

As far as raybestos I bought the more expensive quiet stop for my impala and after about a month they started making nosie, also they said it was a low brake dust pad and I still get a bunch of brake dust on the rims. Very disappointed in the raybestos I thought they would have been much better