Hey All, i'm in need of a 2nd opinion even though i have a hunch as to what it might be. The other day i heard a chirping sound coming from my front wheels, it was more noticable on the drivers side but can probably hear it on the passenger side as well. My hunch is the front brake pads dragging, if in fact my hunch is right and it is the front brake pads is the chirping sound an indication i am getting down to the wire or can i go a little further on them. I try not to be real hard on my brakes, but as i said the noise just started the other day and can be heard anywhere from as low as 0 to 5 mph to as high as 55 or 60 what do u guys think any ideas.
Sorry i forgot, 04 Ls sedan 2.2 eco
Take the wheel off and look at the pad
- 2004 Cavalier - 124k, owned since new
Don't have the tools to physically take the wheel off the car, so i'm just having to go by ear/sound here.
Rob wrote:Take the wheel off and look at the pad
Id say do this.
Hard to diagnose when you arent giving us much to go by.
Cut a fist size hole in the tire and let the little birdie out...
Tinkles
2003 Cavalier 1SV
Bagged and Blown
Does it go away when you apply the brakes? If so, it's the brakes and the pads need replacing.
If it doesn't go away when you apply the brakes... it's something else. Like a belt.
Yes, it goes away as soon as i apply the brakes. Nice to know my gut instinct was right, i had read online somewhere that if you don't get the pads replaced as soon as they start making noise you run the risk of damage to the rotor leading to more than just the cost of the pads.
an update Got the car Looked at the pads were just barely touching the wear indicator hence the noise, they were under warranty thanks to a lifetime warranty from the last time this nightmare occured. They recommended turning/resurfacing the rotors at a cost of $60, and then went on to the back brakes and recommended replacing the shoes since they looked like they were the originals at a cost of $149.95 which seemed a little outrageous to me but maybe not. So $50 brake inspection fee $60 to turn the rotors and $149 for the shoes for a grand total of like $260 or so *Sucks to be me*
When I replaced my brakes the guy wouldnt even turn my rotors since rotors anymore hardly have enough meat to turn off even if theyre brand new. If new rotors arent too much more just get them. Shoes are like $40 so $100 more seems excessive. I think youre getting ripped. If you have any amount of mechanical ability you should be able to handle brakes. Drums require more patience just grab a Chiltons manual or something and take your time. Theres a lot of small parts.
Judging by some of Bill's posts in the past... mechanical ability is something he does not possess in enough quantity to safely change the brakes. Some people need professionals to do this... so they don't kill themselves. Or other innocent people.
bill... i'll be nice about this. our rotors, they only cost about $25 each. so, to reuse your old rotors is just plain not a good idea when putting new pads on there, and its not fiscally responsible to get them turned when it costs $5 more per side.
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True John, there are some things i don't trust my abilities so i have a professional do it.. Rich i could have them replace the front rotors entirely, but the shop would probably charge me mega bucks since they use their own stuff. I took the car to midas and had them look at it, since that's where i had it done the first time about a year and a half probably 2 yrs or so ago at a cost of like $621 or something for all 4 front and back. The front pads had a lifetime warranty for as long as i own the car, so those were free i was charged the inspection fee which i think is bs but they're gonna get you one way or another. The guy at the shop said it looked like the shoes on the back had never been replaced in the 5 yrs plus i've had the car, as far as the rotors go i read somewhere if your not very careful how you handle them there's the risk they could crack or even break entirely and supposedly same thing with the shoes on the back but who knows. Personally if i was a little more mechanically inclined i might be tempted to try it, but i also believe there are certain things on a car it's worth it to spend the extra money on a professional but that's just my opinion.
