Brakes make horrible sound

[Reversi]

I just bought a 2006 mazda 3 gs with 63K km on it last month and the brakes have started making this horrible sound when braking on low speeds. It makes me cringe, I took it to Markham Mazda, and their 'diagnosis' was that I have aftermarket brakepads and rotors and that I need to replace them with OEM parts for $1000 to get rid of the noise. I asked him what was wrong with my existing pads and he said - they were fine, they had 10mm in the fronts and 8mm in the back, so the pads aren't worn down.
I have started braking harder, that makes the sound go away. If I brake lightly, then the sound starts - it starts off as a squeak and then progresses to a really spine chilling sound. The guy at the dealership said that the brakes were fine, its just noise. Anyone else have this problem? Should I just take it to a Midas and get it checked out? This is my first car and honestly I'm not very car savvy.

[kevcol74]

The pads and rotors were probably replaced for the safety, and done with the cheapest parts available. Usually these are called "white box" parts, and never really fit right. Only thing you can do shy of replacing them, is add shims to the pads, or a good quality anti-squeel silicone. Also add a chamfer on the leading edges of the pads, that can aleviate some of the noise.
Otherwise, newer high quality parts is the way to go.

[Fuman]

is your steering wheel vibrating when braking at highway speeds?

any idea what pads are, if they are ceramic that can be why.

[Reversi]

No my steering doesnt vibrate when I brake at highway speeds. I have no idea how to tell if they are ceramic. If I got new rotors and pads (and reading the brakes section - Im seeing people are not recommending the OEM brakes) - what brand should I get? And how much would I be expecting to pay?

[kevcol74]

Do you get alot of dark brake dust on your wheels? Or have you even noticed that yet?

[mazda lover]

WOW $250 a wheel, sounds like a lot, maybe someone here could do a brake job for you at a price thats more reasonable..

[Reversi]

I haven't noticed any brake dust. I'll take a picture of my wheels today and post it. It has some rust looking stuff, I don't know if that's a big deal.

I'm new to Canada as well, just moved here from the states, whats a good place to get a brake job done?

[Flagrum_3]

Don't take it to Midas!!...I would suggest going to one of our sponsors and having the brakes serviced; as in disassembled, lubed properly and re-assembled.It shouldn't cost much and lack of proper lubing may be the problem!...and the price the dealer gave you is a rip-off!!


_3

[Reversi]

Hi
Since Im new to the board, I have no idea who to go to. Any suggestions?

[kevcol74]

I'd use Flagrum's advice....

[jaybird]

Hey Reversi,

Welcome aboard. To get to the sponsors page simply scroll down to "The Marketplace".

Do some searching around in there and I'm sure you'll find a better price than $1,000. That's ridiculous IMO.

[kevcol74]

^ I know, thats a ridiculous price! You can get a set of cross drilled rotors and premium pads for all 4 corners for $250 from a sponsor, and I'd install them for $150! lol

[Reversi]

I'm sorry, but looking around the sponsors list - it all seemed to be places doing mods/detailing. I couldn't find a place that would do the brake servicing? Should I post this under the Suspension and brakes section?

[Fuman]

I'm sorry, but looking around the sponsors list - it all seemed to be places doing mods/detailing. I couldn't find a place that would do the brake servicing? Should I post this under the Suspension and brakes section?
mods can move the thread if they want.

Questions / Answers
1) Is your steering wheel vibrating when braking at highway speeds - answer:no
2) How much pads do you have - answer: the dealer said tons
3) Do you get an increase in braking power once the noise goes away?
4) Any complaints in braking power (when the noise is there)?
If you answered Q3 - yes & Q4 - no then I've the following conclusion

From what I gather, there is nothing wrong with your setup. It is highly likely that it is just the pad material; likely cermanic
If you can stand it, just use it until you are due for replacing brake pads.
If you can't, many ppl here will recommend Hawk HPS

[wikdslo]

If you can't, many ppl here will recommend Hawk HPS

I've heard hawk pads that were quite noisy too.
They work very well, but they can also be noisy.

OP, you could try having the pads removed, and a bit of a bevel ground into the edges. This will sometimes reduce the noise.
Think of it like chalk on a blackboard. Sometimes lightly pressing a flat surface of the chalk makes a noise, but you push hard on it, or use a rounded part, no noise.
Same idea.

[Reversi]

I've heard hawk pads that were quite noisy too.
They work very well, but they can also be noisy.

OP, you could try having the pads removed, and a bit of a bevel ground into the edges. This will sometimes reduce the noise.
Think of it like chalk on a blackboard. Sometimes lightly pressing a flat surface of the chalk makes a noise, but you push hard on it, or use a rounded part, no noise.
Same idea.

This actually makes a lot of sense! I'm going to a garage - Goodwrench Auto Center this saturday and see if they can do the brake service first. If not, I'll try and round out the edges of the pad.

[wikdslo]

This actually makes a lot of sense! I'm going to a garage - Goodwrench Auto Center this saturday and see if they can do the brake service first. If not, I'll try and round out the edges of the pad.

If they do the brake service, and the pads are off, you can always ask them to grind down the outside edges to a round surface. It doesn't take away anything from the pad or it's ability to grip/brake the car.

I know my mechanic does it on all the pads he installs. Alleviates any issues that might arise from this possibility.

[kevcol74]

Most premium pads already have the bevel, if they don't, thats a sign of "white box" semi-mettalic pads. Even ceramics are considered premium and have the bevel. If the pads are white box, chances are the rotors are too....