<IMG src=smileys/smiley5.gif border="0">I recntly had a brake job done by a buddy on a '93 Eclipse and now I get agrindingwhen the brakes are applied. It sounds like the pad is gone and I have have metal to metal contact, but this is not the case because I have verified myself.I don't get this all the time, but most of the time. When this doesn't happen the brakes feel fine.</P>


Any suggestions on a cause?</P>


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<IMG src=smileys/smiley19.gif border="0">What's up ecotrans, Sounds like your buddy might have forgotten to tighten something or maybe made some other mistake.Did you replace the rotors or have them turned down to resurface them???Sometimes when you don't turn the rotors the new pads will rub on the unused outer edge of the rotor and make noise.You should also check caliper bolts to make sure these were properly tightened.Also,when replacing brake pads the brake piston has to be pushed back into it's bore in the caliper in order to get pads to fit over the rotor.The proper way to do this is to open the bleeder and push the piston in so old brake fluid is forced out of the bleeder and not pushed back up into the brake system as this fluid at this location is the most contaminated with rust,dirt,and crystallized metal and can get spread around more and cause your piston to stick at times.If everything checks out for tightness,I would bleed out your old brake fluid and see if this cures your problem as brake fluid is rarely changed.Brake fluid does not last forever.It is also hydroscopic,which means it pulls moisture from the air and will hold water in suspension in your brake system,this drastically reduces the boiling point of the fluid and therefore should be changed at minimum every brake job if not sooner.If you look in your master cylinder and the fluid is looking green or brown,then it's crap and heavily contaminated.If you need some info. on bleeding your system just write me back.

 

Thanks for the suggestions Oldmansgs. I have checked to make sure everything is tight, but what it really feels like is a bearing going out... I am not real familar with the brake system to know if there is a bearing on the back of the rotors.</P>

 

<IMG src=smileys/smiley2.gif border="0">Hi ecotrans, There is a bearing hub directly behind the rotor where the halfshaft goes thru. You should be able to hear a bad bearing in this area as you drive at a steady speed.Generally, the sound or humm will get louder with an increase in speed,and if you move the steering wheel from left to right slightly while going straight you will hear it get louder when you turn it one way as opposed to the other.You can also jack up the car and try and grab wheel and tire and try to move it left and right, up and down and see if there is any play in bearing assembly. I just recently replaced a front bearing hub on my niece's car and i could move the bearing a ton, it was totally wiped out,i can't believe she was driving it like that.It was unbelievably loud when i test drove it.</P>


Anyway,see if this helps to find your problem.Also, if you can't find anything wrong, just try new brake pads,they're cheap enough.Don't forget that most pads are metallic or semi-metallic and could have been made wrong.</P>

 

I know your problem well</P>


you bought Pep Boys metallic life time brakes or very close it them</P>


what you need to do is take them off the car and trash them either scuff the rotors or have them turned down if in specs to do so and put a good quailty brake on there </P>


I use Mitsu brakes and pay the 50 bucks or so for them it's worth the extra money to not sound like a bus with bad brakes.</P>


I hope i'm close to your problem -- let me know</P>


oh and don't forget the shims that go between the brake pad and caliper</P><edited><editID>Mitsu-Tech</editID><editDate>37998.8087037037</editDate></edited>