Dear TWW mechanics,

I just replaced my front brake pads yesterday. I've done it once before when I replaced my front and rear pads and rotors September 2010. It seemed to go well, replaced with the same pads as I had in there before, lubed the edges of the pads before placing them in and pumped my brakes before driving. Well when I hit the road, I noticed a couple problems.

1. Creaking noise from the front brakes that sounds like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FqZn5Vj5lZw
I took off the wheels later in the day again and lubed up the pads again, did not fix. I hear maybe I need to lube up the caliper pin. Maybe I will try that next if no one has any better recommendations.

2. Brake pedal pressure sucks. The last time I replaced all of my brakes I barely had to tap on the brakes to get the car to a full stop. Now I feel like I have to depress it more than half way before I get any real braking action. Maybe once I fix the creaking, this will improve?

3. When replacing my front rotors I noticed the outside pads were about worn out, but the inside pads looked hardly touched. I don't remember this from when I replaced my pads before. What's the deal??

Thanks in advance!!

5/18/2012 11:39:59 AM

Quote :

"3. When replacing my front rotors I noticed the outside pads were about worn out, but the inside pads looked hardly touched. I don't remember this from when I replaced my pads before. What's the deal??"

I had similar issues, and would love an answer. I'm assuming the slide pins need more greasing. Actually just considering replacing the caliper housing...it might end up being less hassle in the long run.

[Edited on May 18, 2012 at 12:11 PM. Reason : ]

5/18/2012 12:10:54 PM

I'm afraid I can't help you with the rest but...

Quote :

" 3. When replacing my front rotors I noticed the outside pads were about worn out, but the inside pads looked hardly touched. I don't remember this from when I replaced my pads before. What's the deal??"

Definitely sounds like the slide pins. Regreasing them is pretty easy too.

5/18/2012 12:30:30 PM

Don't break the little rubber bushing on the slide pins, if you have them.

It will ruin your day.

5/18/2012 2:15:47 PM

I just regreased the pins. Hopefully that fixes the uneven wear on inside vs outside pads. Still seems the creaking and lack of pressure are issues.

5/18/2012 4:50:13 PM

Lack of pedal pressure aka sponginess would usually indicate you've got air in the brake lines and will need a buddy and some wrenches to bleed them down. If you've got the same pedal stiffness but just doesn't seem to slow the car down as fast as before then either you bought a different compound brake pad or your caliper(s) may have siezed up but doubtful. Check your brake reservoir too and god help you if its empty, though if you did the brake job right its probably just overfilled.

5/18/2012 6:07:15 PM

I figured it out when I took the wheel off again. Pads needed to be swapped. The indicator pad with the little nub on the outside was supposed to be outboard.

6/22/2012 3:28:45 AM