Non oldschool question about brakes possibly

[Josh]

I have a 2003 Holden crewman ute. Basically since I have had it there is like a metallic screeching sound which sounds like its coming from the front right wheel. I just went out before in it and it was screeching horribly loud constantly for around 5 minutes then went away. It has been on and off for a couple of days, I noticed particularly when turning left the noise seems to increase?

I was thinking it may be worn brake pads, but would they still screech even when brakes are not applied? Or perhaps a stone in the brakes somewhere, although the sound is coming and going...Could it be a wheel bearing?

Keen to hear your input on what it may be, cheers.

[jakesae101]

to eliminate a stone in the brakes reverse and slam the brakes on a few times it normally pops them out

[CaMpylobacter]

tear wheel off and look. anti rattle shims with a squeal band will do that, telling you pads are almost due.

[peteretep]

some brake pads have specific little tabs that touch the disk when the pads are getting low, I would say its that

[Unclejake]

A brake pad wear indicator will screech like that. The noise comes and goes under normal driving but usually disappears when the brakes are applied.

EDIT: What Retep said ^

[Josh]

Ah sweet cheers boys. On holiday in Nelson with next to no tools on me, hopefully I can get hold of someone to borrow some to change em out. Thanks again!

[Unclejake]

In my limited experience you have ages and ages before the pad friction surface wears through (if it is the wear indicators that are making the noise).

I figure it wouldn't take long to whip off a wheel at take a look (you may be able to see the pad thickness without removing the wheel)

[peteretep]

On most modern cars you just take the wheel off then pull out a couple of pins to change the pads, all you need is a wheel brace and a pair of pliers. But this is only most cars so check yours first

[CaMpylobacter]

yuh do that. wont be bearings, surely. it's not that old.

[DavidTheCreator]

my money is on a stone in the disk

[peteretep]

With the clearances in there and the speed of a disk, I just can't see it happening

[CaMpylobacter]

more likely happens between the backg plate and the rotor or in closer to the hub. used to get it all the time on my puglit.

[Josh]

Will look tomorrow after I try find a wheel brace or such. Seriously have no tools whatsoever with me, all still in my van 6 hours away..hoping it's a stone between back plate and rotor, pads don't look overly worn.

[mikuni]

If it is the brake pad indicators you can usually just bend it out a little bit so it stops the sound, without taking the caliper off.

I didn't think it was too common on new cars to have the pin type pads, not up front at least. Its still super awesome when you come across one that does though. 5 min brake pad change ftw.

[Jase]

vt's etc have big twin pots

and are pin type so caliper just rotates out ,smash pads in carrier against the disc

and rotate back in,

believe thats how the super taxi's can slam out a pad change so quickly

[Josh]

Done. And hopefully that was it. Haven't heard the noise again so fingers crossed that's all it was.

[Unclejake]

^ What did you done?

[Josh]

Changed the pads!

[My name is Russell]

At-least your callipers were not upside down could of diagnosed that for you

[johnnyfive]

The brass looking shims in the top and bottom of pads? The top one gets out of shape due to stones and end up scratching on the end of the rotor.

I dunno if any other pads other than genuine come with some to replace them, but you can flatten them with a hammer/cut off the but touching and you'll be happy as.

I can't recall if these have a low level indicator screechy bit.

Merry Christmas.