Status: 1997 XLT 4x4

I changed my front brake pads in october 2002 using pads/rotars from NAPA auto parts.

I think I did something wrong.

Last month I was forced to change the pads again as two of them were worn almost completely to the metal. One of them was the inside pad on the drivers side.

Now I have a problem of brake squeal whenever I apply modest brake pressure. This only happens after about 15-20 minutes of driving (and using the brakes) when something has heated up.

The squealing gets louder as time goes on. I don't get it when I apply hard pressure braking.

What's going on here? Do the rotars need turned already? Do the brakes need adjusting? Should I throw in the towel when it comes to brake repair and let the dealer do it?

Thanks!

 

Same thing happened on my wifes 98 Expedition brakes. I had replaced them with Auto Zone pads. (the best ones they had) They squeeled right from the start. I finally replaced them with Ford pads (they were pretty expensive) and the squeeling stopped.

 

dbarbee:

Okay, thanks for confirming a suspicion I had. And the suspicion is the pads are just plain cheap!

I have the warranty on them so they're free but I had a curious reaction when I tried to use it the last time. The lady looked at me and asked "You want to use your warranty on this?"

She probably meant to say "Are you stupid? You want to put these on your truck again?" lol

 

I have tried every poss. combination of pad and rotor on my 99. factory pads work the best. the price is worth not having to do the brakes every 6 months. I know some have gone to drilled rotors and aftermarket ceramic pads. I will stick to the factory only because for the price, I get the best results