[syndrome85]

I have had a problem with squeaky brakes since I first bought my 2008 Chevy Malibu back in Aug 2009. I have read several posts about squeaky brakes and I have tried almost all of the solutions that were offered her on the Chevy Malibu forum. I finally couldn’t take it anymore and purchase Wagner Thermoquiet brake pads for all 4 brakes. I also had the rotors turned. My car has 64,000.00 miles on it and the guy said my rotors were still good at the shop. The squeak stopped for about a week and then came back with a vengeance. When the brakes were first put on they we put on dry (no brake lube on the back of the pads), then after they tried to put brake lube on the pads but I think it made it worse. It is now louder than before when I had the OEM brakes and I have no idea what to do. I can only assume it’s the rotors but I do not want to keep spending money on these brakes especially if it is not going to fix the problem. Has anyone had a similar situation??? Does anyone have any possible solutions????? PLEASE HELP!!!!!

 

[Starship]

Re: Brake squeak back and louder

The only way I can see this happening is if you purchased the pads and then had someone install them which relieves the installer the responsibility to remedy the situation. I can't say definitely without having seen the rotors myself but I'm thinking that the rotors should've been replaced at the same time. Often too much material has to be removed to get rid of scoring and hot spots which then makes the rotor too thin to be useable. I hate to say this but you may have to start over with new rotors and pads.

 

[elcompaLalo]

Re: Brake squeak back and louder

Over the years I have had to learn the hard way, I don't take any chances and when replacing pads I always machine rotors......no matter how good they might look. Sounds like the bad pads might have ruined the rotors too, the new squeaking is the result of that.

 

[ChicagoMalibu2009]

Re: Brake squeak back and louder

Over the years I have had to learn the hard way, I don't take any chances and when replacing pads I always machine rotors......no matter how good they might look. Sounds like the bad pads might have ruined the rotors too, the new squeaking is the result of that.

I think he was saying he did turn his rotors -- since the guy said they had enough meat left. But then, nonetheless with a bad install (no antisqueal or something) that was they attempted to be fixed the easy way (probably trying to jam in antisqueal without undoing the install) he's worse off.

I'd say you should take off the brakes, clean the parts, and reinstall in the same config (same pads on same sides of the rotors) but apply anti squeal and be sure that the install is done right. If this means DIY, or going to a different shop if you can't DIY then those are the best options. This is the type of job where it's nice to DIY or at least monitor with a buddy who knows how to DIY since its a job where care and precision and patience actually pay off.

As I was typing this, though, I did think of one other thing you could try and could definitely DIY. Clean the rotors while still on the car. Clean the visible 3/4 of the rotor, pull up a foot or two, then reclean to get the hidden portion.
But be careful to spray on your clean rag not on the rotors because you dont want the cleaner to touch your paint, wheels, or brake lines (including overspray). There is a SLIM chance this would affect the sound but it seems highly unlikely based on what you said.

 

[syndrome85]

Re: Brake squeak back and louder

ok i will definitly DIY. Yes the guy at the shop said the rotors were good after they turned (machined) them. I usually do it myself but my friend told me about this place that puts brakes on cheap.....i now know why they are cheap. I will definitly try to clean the rotors again and i myself put anti-squeak on the back part of the pads. Thanks for all the advice. i guess if all fails ill buy new rotors.

 

[DrivenDaily]

Re: Brake squeak back and louder

Check out Chicago's signature - he has EBC slotted rotors!

 

[ChicagoMalibu2009]

Re: Brake squeak back and louder

ok i will definitly DIY. Yes the guy at the shop said the rotors were good after they turned (machined) them. I usually do it myself but my friend told me about this place that puts brakes on cheap.....i now know why they are cheap. I will definitly try to clean the rotors again and i myself put anti-squeak on the back part of the pads. Thanks for all the advice. i guess if all fails ill buy new rotors.

And I think the other thing to note is that everyone else is 100% right, you just may need to buy a new set but what I recommend is just to confirm that. I'd much rather give a reinstall a shot than need to plunk down for a new set. That would be so :-(

Hopefully not too many miles for a new attempt. Try not to drive an overabundance in the mean time, and good luck! If it feels like they get bad enough to be dangerous though, please halt. Nothing like a chop shop, but even worse when they mis-torque stuff and put things at risk. Il feel alot better knowing you took care with the install, that alone counts for alot in this case.

 

[syndrome85]

Re: Brake squeak back and louder

And I think the other thing to note is that everyone else is 100% right, you just may need to buy a new set but what I recommend is just to confirm that. I'd much rather give a reinstall a shot than need to plunk down for a new set. That would be so :-(

Hopefully not too many miles for a new attempt. Try not to drive an overabundance in the mean time, and good luck! If it feels like they get bad enough to be dangerous though, please halt. Nothing like a chop shop, but even worse when they mis-torque stuff and put things at risk. Il feel alot better knowing you took care with the install, that alone counts for alot in this case.

Chicago thank you! You are awesome. I will definetly try one more time to correct the brakes before i buy new rotors. hey do you recommend any specific rotors for the Malibu?

 

[kencar10]

Another thing to watch for is when you put your tires back on. Make sure you tighten the nuts down with a torque wrench. I used to just hand tighten and I was constantly having trouble with squeaky brakes. A friend and mechanic suggested that I maybe warping the rotors when I'm tightening the wheels. I have not had a squeaky brake problem again, except when time to replace, once I used the torque wrench.

 

[syndrome85]

Another thing to watch for is when you put your tires back on. Make sure you tighten the nuts down with a torque wrench. I used to just hand tighten and I was constantly having trouble with squeaky brakes. A friend and mechanic suggested that I maybe warping the rotors when I'm tightening the wheels. I have not had a squeaky brake problem again, except when time to replace, once I used the torque wrench.

Great advice i torque my lug nuts at 90 lbs each. What do u torque yours at?

 

[elcompaLalo]

Sorry if I misread your post.

Quick question, are you 100% sure that shop even machined the rotors? or maybe it wasn't done properly?

Anyways, let us know the outcome. Good luck.

 

[kencar10]

Great advice i torque my lug nuts at 90 lbs each. What do u torque yours at?

I don't remeber, only done it once on this car so far, but I would torque at whatever GM specs are.

 

[ChicagoMalibu2009]

Lug Nuts are 100 ft. Lb's according to Gm on our cars. (140 Nm)

 

[syndrome85]

Lug Nuts are 100 ft. Lb's according to Gm on our cars. (140 Nm)

Ok guys here are the results. You guys are going to love this. So i took apart my brakes to find out that the shop that put them in for me did not use anit-squeak, nor did they turn my rotors. I took my rotors to Napa auto because they looked old and not turned (machined). Napa informed me that the rotors have not been turned in quite a while based on the discoloration and roughness of it. The guy at Napa wanted to machine them for me but I told him to hold off. I went to Purrfect Auto (the place that put in my brakes originally) and complained to the supervisor of the crappy job that was done. The supervisor refunded my money for the job and even paid for my brakes, I purchased them on my own. The supervisor then informed me that the “mechanic” who changed my brakes was fired 2 days ago, due to several complaints. I then had Napa machine my rotors and I put anti-squeak myself. So far the brakes are stopping like a Champ and NO SQUEAK!!!!!!! Thank you all so much for your advice, I could not have figured out what was wrong with my brakes without your advice. Again THANK YOU ALL!!!!!

 

[DrivenDaily]

Wow, what a great story and outcome. Thanks for coming back and sharing. And kudos to the shop that without question refunded your money. They want to protect their reputation for sure, or repair it now that it's been hurt.