Hey guys -- hope you can give me some advice.

Yesterday morning I noticed a squealing sound coming from my front right tire area (assuming its the brakes). When I apply the brakes the squealing stops -- within a couple seconds it starts up again. From my limited knowledge with cars (Yes, it is shameful), it sounds to me like my brake pads need to be replaced. From what I've found online, it also sounds like most people recommend getting my rotors replaced as well if it has already started squealing.

Here is the situation though -- within a month I will be getting a new car. This Hyundai Sonota has a plethora of problems and I have no desire to put any more money into the car than is absolutely necessary. For reference -- the transmission started leaking very slowly this year, the AC is dead, front windshield got cracked recently, and it is almost impossible to fuel (have to fuel slowly or it trips the pressure sensor in the pump).

My questions to all of you are:

Does this indeed sound like the brake pads need to be replaced?
Will I really need to have the rotors replaced?
Are these the correct brake pads I would need for a 2002 Hyunda Sonota?
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/parts/Duralast-Gold-Brake-Pads-Front/2002-Hyundai-Sonata/_/N-jhieeZ8ko29?counter=1&itemIdentifier=887775_0_0_
What tools, if any, would I need to buy to replace the pads on my own?

Thanks for any advice/help you can give.

[Edited on August 17, 2010 at 8:09 AM. Reason : .]

8/17/2010 8:08:36 AM

The pads are probably just vibrating. They sell antisqueal, you spray it on the BACK(not the stopping surface) of the pads. It's a sticky, rubbery stuff that keeps them from vibrating. You can bring it by tonight and I'll take a look for $cheap.

8/17/2010 11:14:36 AM

^Squealing during braking is caused by pad oscillation. Usually, if the brakes are squealing when NOT applied, it's the wear indicator tab, and the pads should be replaced.

I'm a cheap bastard, and often don't replace rotors unless they're warped...but knowing how thin modern rotors are and how little extra thermal dissipation capacity they have, I can bet that they will eventually warp over the lifespan of the new pads...and likely a lot sooner than later. If you have the money, and you have any pulsation in the pedal or steering wheel at all during braking, then replace the rotors. If you're unusually broke and braking is still smooth, then fuck replacing the rotors.

Unless you plan on getting rid of the car soon and getting something else...why not take care of some of your nagging problems? And then I notice that you ARE getting rid of this hunk of shit. Sorry about that...good call.

[Edited on August 17, 2010 at 11:22 AM. Reason : Damn Korean cars are hunks of doody]

8/17/2010 11:21:49 AM

The sonota is only 8 years old. Doesn't your warranty last 10 years

8/17/2010 11:44:56 AM

Quote :

"The sonota is only 8 years old. Doesn't your warranty last 10 years"

I bought this used a few years back, never heard anything about a 10 year warranty.

edit -- found this link:

http://consumerguideauto.howstuffworks.com/2002-hyundai-sonata-14.htm

Quote :

"Basic Years 5 Basic Miles/km 60,000 Drivetrain Years 10 Drivetrain Miles/km 100,000 Corrosion Years 5 Corrosion Miles/km 100,000 Roadside Assistance Years 5 Roadside Assistance Miles/km Unlimited "

Im at 149,000 miles.

zxappeal -- the braking is smooth, no pulsation anywhere.

Appreciate the information.

[Edited on August 17, 2010 at 12:07 PM. Reason : .]

8/17/2010 12:06:13 PM

Give the car to me, I will fix it up and keep the maintenance done like it should

8/17/2010 1:51:46 PM

Unless you need to do a lot of driving I'd keep the miles as low as possible this month (don't drive unless necessary, catch a ride with your housemates, etc), use the brakes as little as possible while driving (coast to stop signs, red lights, etc.), and then trade it in or sell it as a "handyman special".

[Edited on August 17, 2010 at 1:59 PM. Reason : s]

8/17/2010 1:56:14 PM

Used car salesman trick: Grind off the pad wear indicator(that metal squeal bar) and unload that thing.

But front brake pads cost like $20.

[Edited on August 17, 2010 at 7:28 PM. Reason : I'm tired, can't spell.]

8/17/2010 7:28:10 PM

If you haven't done too much driving yet just get one of these guys to replace the pads for cheap, probably less than 60 bucks incl. labor. Don't need new rotors if it just started recently. That's if you wanna do the right thing.

Now for as many problems as you've listed I'd get someone here to bend back the wear indicator (it's just a little metallic prong) a TAD - we're talking less than a millimeter - so the indicator will hit in another 5k or 10k miles and not completely dig the rivets or backing plate into the rotors. Not familiar with Hyundai but someone might be able to get to it through the rim or the backside without having to take the wheel off. Either way it's dirt cheap and will hold it off until the next person has it and won't fuck'em over on the rotors.

8/17/2010 8:16:36 PM

So I made it home last night without any squealing coming from the brakes at all -- I still took off the tires and the pads and they are still pretty thick (almost as thick as the new ones I had purchased). I opted to leave the old ones on to see if they squealed at all today... no squealing at all on my way to work. For almost two days it was the loudest most obnoxious sound, and then it just stopped?

Any ideas?

8/18/2010 9:40:16 AM

Had precisely the same thing on my '01 Sonata. The pads didn't look bad, so I just kinda put up with it for 6-8 months. I kept tabs on it, but it never caused any real problems. I finally decided to just drop the coin on a new set of pads, and the noise was gone when I picked it up.

Decided to stop in for a haircut on my way home from the shop, and got nailed making a blind left turn. Totalled her out with brand new brakes.

8/18/2010 10:26:48 AM

The pads sound like they are down the wear clip maybe.

8/18/2010 11:32:42 AM

Quote :

"The pads sound like they are down the wear clip maybe."

That was the original thought process here as well -- however the pads are only about 1/8" thinner than brand new ones (they are still around 1/4" thick) give or take a little.

At this point I almost wish it was still making the noise so I could try and figure out what is going on.

8/18/2010 12:06:41 PM