Does squeaking brakes always mean it's time to replace?

Wheels, Suspension, Brakes & Tyres questions and answers

Moderators: timk, Stu, zombie, Andrew, -alex, miata

User avatar
Clutch_101
Learner Driver
Posts: 11
Joined: Wed Feb 15, 2012 2:13 pm
Vehicle: NA6
Location: Parramatta Sydney NSW

Does squeaking brakes always mean it's time to replace?

Postby Clutch_101 » Sun Apr 07, 2013 2:18 pm

Hey folks!

I've got a brakes questions because the brakes on my My NA Eunos Mk I '89 have been squeaking as of late however just by taking a look through the rims to the pads I can see there's around 6-7mm left on the rear and around 6-5mm on the front left. Would this mean that it's time to get them replaced? Since I purchased the ol' girl over a year ago I have yet to have them replaced. The brakes still feel like they're doing their job when I press the pedal down, so I am curious to know whether that's the signal that I'll need to have them replaced or the squeal is something else?

Thanks in advance!

User avatar
JBT
Speed Racer
Posts: 7946
Joined: Tue Jun 03, 2003 11:00 am
Vehicle: NC
Location: Brisbane

Re: Does squeaking brakes always mean it's time to replace?

Postby JBT » Sun Apr 07, 2013 2:42 pm

If you actually have that much pad material then your brakes are not worn to limits. You may have glazed discs or pads or may need to put some brake squeal goo on the back of the pads.
Image

User avatar
MrRevhead
Racing Driver
Posts: 715
Joined: Mon Mar 26, 2012 2:40 pm
Vehicle: NA6
Location: NW Sydney

Re: Does squeaking brakes always mean it's time to replace?

Postby MrRevhead » Sun Apr 07, 2013 2:44 pm

In addition to the above, try spraying some brake cleaner as well, there could be some grit etc built up.
1991 NA6 BRG Limited Edition #124 (Aus Delivered)
Image

User avatar
Clutch_101
Learner Driver
Posts: 11
Joined: Wed Feb 15, 2012 2:13 pm
Vehicle: NA6
Location: Parramatta Sydney NSW

Re: Does squeaking brakes always mean it's time to replace?

Postby Clutch_101 » Sun Apr 07, 2013 3:22 pm

Thanks for the feedback - I'll drop into a car mart store this week and grab something to spay on the disks and see how we go from there.

Cheers for the prompt reply

project.r.racing
Speed Racer
Posts: 3722
Joined: Sun Jan 18, 2009 10:16 pm
Vehicle: Non MX-5
Location: Glasshouse Mountains, QLD

Re: Does squeaking brakes always mean it's time to replace?

Postby project.r.racing » Mon Apr 08, 2013 9:36 am

foreign matter
thin discs
bleed required
worn pads

all these will cause squeeling. just gotta find which one or ones it is.

User avatar
Guran
Speed Racer
Posts: 3754
Joined: Sun Feb 15, 2009 6:42 pm
Vehicle: ND - 1.5
Location: Albion Park NSW
Contact:

Re: Does squeaking brakes always mean it's time to replace?

Postby Guran » Mon Apr 08, 2013 5:52 pm

And of course some pads are more prone to squealing than others. Race pads in particular are very noisy.
Standard 2006 NC - YouTube
WP 1:11.89 | SMP-S 1:05.90 GP 1:54.93 N 1:18.09 L 2:22.49 | PW 1:02.52
PI 2:00.55 | W-S 1:12.44 W-L 1:43.36 | SR 1:33.25

LuckyCat
Fast Driver
Posts: 392
Joined: Mon Nov 07, 2011 6:14 pm
Vehicle: NC
Location: Blue Mountains

Re: Does squeaking brakes always mean it's time to replace?

Postby LuckyCat » Mon Apr 08, 2013 7:22 pm

If they are very worn pads e.g not much meat left..can make a "clapping" sound as you brake.

I remember old Cortinas ( the 4.1 litre variety) seemed to do it all the time.

c

User avatar
Okibi
Speed Racer
Posts: 10901
Joined: Thu Aug 21, 2003 11:00 am
Vehicle: NB SE
Location: Perth, Western Australia
Contact:

Re: Does squeaking brakes always mean it's time to replace?

Postby Okibi » Mon Apr 08, 2013 7:24 pm

Slider pins can also stick if not cleaned and lubricated regularly.

That could also cause a pad to squeal.
If you had access to a car like this, would you take it back right away? Neither would I.

Mr Morlock
Speed Racer
Posts: 6444
Joined: Mon Feb 04, 2008 11:40 am
Vehicle: NB8B
Location: Melbourne

Re: Does squeaking brakes always mean it's time to replace?

Postby Mr Morlock » Tue Apr 09, 2013 4:37 pm

you could simply take it to someone for service and brake check. The pads have a wear limit and so do rotors and usually if pads are replaced then the rotors should have a skim. This is an old car and you might even find that the rotors are beyond skim limit. Brake repairs do not have to be expensive. Get some advice on pads to get a good quality serviceable pad for road use. Someone like ABS as an example can give you some quotes and do a check. Bursons or Repco etc can also quote pad prices but they do not do the machining. If the car is pulsating its a sign the rotor surface is not as it should be.

mazmad
Racing Driver
Posts: 1854
Joined: Fri Jul 06, 2012 4:02 pm
Vehicle: NC
Location: Sydney
Contact:

Re: Does squeaking brakes always mean it's time to replace?

Postby mazmad » Tue Apr 09, 2013 7:40 pm

project.r.racing wrote:foreign matter
thin discs
bleed required
worn pads

all these will cause squeeling. just gotta find which one or ones it is.


Race pads are pretty noisy too.

project.r.racing
Speed Racer
Posts: 3722
Joined: Sun Jan 18, 2009 10:16 pm
Vehicle: Non MX-5
Location: Glasshouse Mountains, QLD

Re: Does squeaking brakes always mean it's time to replace?

Postby project.r.racing » Wed Apr 10, 2013 8:31 am

mazmad wrote:
project.r.racing wrote:foreign matter
thin discs
bleed required
worn pads

all these will cause squeeling. just gotta find which one or ones it is.


Race pads are pretty noisy too.
I dont believe the OP has race pads, or he would've told us.

outbreakmonkey
Driver
Posts: 29
Joined: Sat Feb 09, 2013 2:44 pm

Re: Does squeaking brakes always mean it's time to replace?

Postby outbreakmonkey » Wed Apr 10, 2013 1:34 pm

More often that not glazed pads from people riding their brake instead of braking firmly. See it a lot on automatic falcodores.


Return to “MX5 Wheels, Suspension, Brakes & Tyres”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: Google [Bot] and 321 guests