My '98 Legacy has developed a quite loud squeal/squeak on the left rear wheel that goes away when I just lightly touch the brakes. My past experience with squeaky brake pads made sound only when I *applied* the brakes...

 

Earlier today I opted to feel the temperature of the hubcap/wheel after a 10 mile trip and it was definitely hotter than any of the others. Obviously it needs service, but does this sound like a brake problem or possibly a bearing problem?

 

All comments / suggestions greatly appreciated.

 

~ Bright1

A bearing noise usually won't go away when the brakes are applied. You may just be in need of new brake pads. Some brands have a small piece of metal that will produce the noise you discribe, by scraping on the outer edge of the disk as the pad gets thin, it helps to indicate worn pads.

Definately sounds like your rear pads are going south. You should be able to eyeball them to see how much pad you have left.. if you are familiar with pads. My 98 gt had the same symptoms when the rear pads were toast. Squeaked w/ no brakes applied... stopped when applied. It will get to the point that it squeaks always if you ignore it long enough...

It has been my expereince that if it makes the noise when you are not pressing on the brakes, then your Pads are gone. I would get it right away so you rotors dont get damaged.

My experience has been that when brakes do this it can be cured by applying anti-squeel to the back of the pads.

Bright1,

 

I'll lay money on that rear caliper being partially seized up. Either the pad tips are seized/rusted in the grooves they slide in, or, and I'm betting this is the culprit coming up, you haven't flushed your brake system in quite a while and the piston is mildly rusted in its bore. The piston moves when you apply the brakes and you get no squeal, but because the piston is sticking on one side, or the pads can't slide back out of the way, due to the rust, it can't release entirely when you take your foot off the brake pedal and it screeches/squeals. Been there, done that! And it will heat up that caliper, the rotor and the entire wheel! You may be lucky as I was. I was able to pop out the piston, and because it wasn't too far gone, it cleaned up very well with 0000 steel wool. The caliper bore cleaned up nicely as well with the same steel wool. A GOOD flushing with clean brake fluid and I was able to reinstall the piston, lube and install the pads, bleed the entire system with new brake fluid, and everything was as good as new. Dig around back there and see what you find. Good Luck!

Actually after re-reading the original post I think gbhrps is much closer than I was.

replace your rear pads. just did this a month ago on my friends explorer. brakes squeaking while coasting through parking lot, went away when they applied brake. pads were worn, no more noises.

I have the same problem (exactly) on my 00 OBW. I took the rear brakes apart and lubed the brake slides and it went away. Then it came back 3 months later ....supposedly when there was enough dust and dirt to keep the pads from moving back into place after releasing them... perhaps a design flaw? Either way I am going to check my caliper out when I have time to blow.

 

 

:*)

My Trooper is famous for this,

 

I replace the pads and it goes away...

 

Could be the pistons mildly seizing up, but re-doing the pads seems to cure/humor it along.

 

Good Luck,

Glenn

82 SubaruHummer--Now I think about it, this car did it too?

01 Forester--no squeals yet...

[Follow-up to close this thread...]

 

Thanks for all the information, everybody. Sure enough, it was just the pads that needed replacement. I thought I was going to need new rotors because I had vibration that was still present after the worn rotors on the front were replaced 12 months earlier, but my skillful and trustworthy mechanic suggested just turning the rear rotors and Voila! no more noise or vibration.

I found with my suby that aftermarket rear pads fit too tightly in the pad grooves. This causes the pads to rub the rotor even when brake pressure isnt applied. I just drove 100 miles yesterday hearing squeaks that would only quiet for a moment after hitting the brakes. I will just grind the break pad tabs down just so that they slide freely and can retract easily enough so as not to "stick" to the rotor as it turns. Hope this helps...