2000 Chevy S10 brake squeal

rowezone

I have a 2000 Chevy S10 2.2 5spd. [anti-lock brakes] with 11,000 miles on it. Most are highway miles, not city driving. Yesterday a squealing started in the left front brake. Constant squeal when moving, stops when I apply the brakes. Can the pads be shot already or could it be brake dust?

wtd44

Sometimes contaminants get into the pads, and squeak against the rotor upon pressure application. I suspect tiny gravel specks, etc., are the usual culprits. It can make one take a look at the remaining thickness of the pads, as I very recently did on my '98 Pathfinder. They were still fat with usable pad, by the way.

joe3891

Take a look at the pads to be sure,at my last tire rotation 24000 mi the pads looked new.

wtd44

A good friend at NAPA tells me that 30K is about the end for MANY OEM brake pads on the newer trucks and cars. And when you go to change them, you need to get the rotors turned, especially if you use better-to-top grades of aftermarket pads. Otherwise, squealing is very likely. If you use the softer (usually less expensive) variety of pads, often you can get by without turning the rotors, and only breaking the glaze. It just isn't like the old days for brake work any more.

jgmilberg

My wife has a '97 S-10, had to change factory pads at 14,000 miles. The truck now has 50,000 miles on it now on the replacement pads with no problems.

Kirstie_H

Let's move this discussion over to the brake topic so everyone can benefit.

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kirstie_h

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