my first usmb post, thanks for any help on this! for my recently purchased 97 outback, the situation is that i have had a mechanic install new rotors and pads dec 2005 and when braking, the front wheels/brakes make a substatial creaking noise that is fast and high pitched at higher speeds and slower, lower pitched and almost comical noises as the car rolls to a stop. the mechanic has re-addressed the problem three times and has sanded down the rotors some to see if that works but no solution. totally weak. it doesn't seem to be an issue of correct placement/alignment and there is no history of this ever before on this car. another mechanic told me that the stock rotors that come in an unmarked white box and stock pads i bought are of dubious quality. to me, new parts should do what they are designed to do and shouldn't be an issue, right??!! other than going to a new mechanic and asking to replace with top of the line parts, any other thoughts or advice? thanks!

try some of that anti squeek goop and put it on your pads and re assemble it.Might just help.

there are anti squeel plates that go behind the pads . If they are not there you will hear all sorts of nasty noises. Also did he use Subaru pads or another brand, that can make a huge differnce.

 

nipper

Did your mechanic clean the new rotors with brake cleaner? If not your pads may be contaminated, this will usually make a groaning noise when stopping. The new rotors have an oil on them to keep then from rusting. Also you need to find out if it is just one or both making the noise, if it is just one it may be out of round even if it is new. I have had to take new ones back that were bad.

I just fixed an annoying squeak on the front of a 91 legacy, recent brake job, aftermarket rotors, subaru clips.

Would not squeak until warm, but would squeak at low speeds independent of whether the brake was applied or not.

After two attempts to fix, clean and lube, didn't work, this is what I figured out.

 

When the rotor was warm it would expand ever so slightly in diameter and come into slight contact with the very hard metal of the brake shoe clips, and the squeal would resonate through the rotor and fender to sound alarmingly loud.

 

I loosened the two bolts that hold the caliper frame to the knuckle, pryed it away and retightened. Noise gone

cool, will look for it in stores and ask the mechanic, thanks!!!

 

try some of that anti squeek goop and put it on your pads and re assemble it.Might just help.

interesting! didn't know about the plates, i'm assuming the pads are non-subaru but this is good to know to re-address problem, thanks!!!

 

there are anti squeel plates that go behind the pads . If they are not there you will hear all sorts of nasty noises. Also did he use Subaru pads or another brand, that can make a huge differnce.

 

nipper

great questions to ask this mechanic, many thanks!!!

 

Did your mechanic clean the new rotors with brake cleaner? If not your pads may be contaminated, this will usually make a groaning noise when stopping. The new rotors have an oil on them to keep then from rusting. Also you need to find out if it is just one or both making the noise, if it is just one it may be out of round even if it is new. I have had to take new ones back that were bad.

sounds like my crappy sidepull brakes on my old ten speed! very good advice and it may apply to my rotor/pad problem, thanks!!!

 

I just fixed an annoying squeak on the front of a 91 legacy, recent brake job, aftermarket rotors, subaru clips.

Would not squeak until warm, but would squeak at low speeds independent of whether the brake was applied or not.

After two attempts to fix, clean and lube, didn't work, this is what I figured out.

 

When the rotor was warm it would expand ever so slightly in diameter and come into slight contact with the very hard metal of the brake shoe clips, and the squeal would resonate through the rotor and fender to sound alarmingly loud.

 

I loosened the two bolts that hold the caliper frame to the knuckle, pryed it away and retightened. Noise gone