Hey guys, I've got a question for you. While its not related to my TransAm it is related to my daily driver. Today my car suddenly started grinding. It was extremly loud. As if I had no pads left. Perhaps something got stuck between the pads and the rotors? . While its been a year since my brakes were done I thought I had a bit left. However a few hours later when I started my car up for the drive home the grinding noise had dissapeared completely. I can't hear it at all. Could it just be the tempurature affecting the brakes? Or a early warning that I need new pads. I haven't seen any of the usual signs that i need new brakes yet. No squeaking, nothing to that affect.

Am I right? Is this just because of the temp, or shall I just replace the pads and be done with it. I could do the job tomorow if I need to, I've got the morning off.

 

Could be your wear indicators and the temp change. I'd just pull the wheels off and take a look to be safe.

Ed

 

I'm doing that tomorow. I just wanted to get any suggestions if anyone had them. I"ll probably pick up better pads than the stock ones anyways.

 

I also had a similar experience with my brakes. I do an inspection a couple of times a year on the brakes, and noticed just a little wear on my pads no big deal. But about 3 monthys later I hear this hideous grinding sound when I go to stop, so I pull the tires off and start looking around and sure enough my pads are worn out completely. The point of this is that it seems like the pads wear real good on the top half but when there wore down about half way, they go quick. Anyone else seen this problem? The pads were stock organic and metallic pads. I have since switched to Bendix titanium pads and shoes, but I am watching these to see if it happens again........

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1986 Trans Am stock (for now)

 

Thats pretty much exactly what happend to me war_eagle. I didn't hear a thing all day long, and I had just checked them the previous week. Then came that grinding noise....oh well in any case I'm replace the pads/shoes/rotor's all together.

My brakes locked up on me today! I was braking with mild pressure on the pedal and then suddenly they locked up! The ground was dry, no oil or anything. I ended up sliding right into the car in front of me at about 3mph. Because i was going so slow by the time i hit I didn't do any damage other than my lisence plate bracket but it was scary!

I took the wheels off after that and checked them out. The rotors are grooved pretty bad. I ran out of WD40 and couldn't get the caliper bolts to even budge! So I just put the rims back on. I'll take it to the shop I usually go to for car work I can't do and have them do it. I don't want to strip the bolt and be out of a car. I'll pay them the $30 for labor as I already have all the parts.

 

I would not use WD-40 any where near the brakes. Use the correct lube on brake parts (high heat). Also, I noticed that the best wearing pads are still the ones from the dealer. Don't turn the rotors. GM doesn't reccommend turning anyways. As for the uneven pad wear...I would suggest rebuilding or replacing the calipers. Your sticking situation will only continue and may get worse if you don't.

 

Oscar read my above post. I bought new rotors. Also replaced the pads and it works fine. I still need to bleed the system though as it feels very spongy. If bleeding the system doens't work I may have other problems.

My reference to WD40 was only for loosening the caliper bolts as they were stuck. They didn't budge anyways so I just took them into the shop. I only have one car right now and I can't afford to be without a car. Too much crap to do.

 

Ahh crap. This sucks. I haven't had the time to check it out, or do any tests yet, but I think I have air in my lines. At least I hope its air, and not another problem. After I had the mechanic change the pads/rotors because I couldn't get the damn bolts off, or spend the time to do it I found that my brakes are now VERY soft. As in soft enough that I couldn't lock them up from a 45mph stop with the brake pedal to the floor.

I'm going to bleed the system. Praying that its not another problem. The escort has 120,000 miles on it, and I've only driven it since it had 83,000 miles. So no idea how it had been maintained prior. Please not be the calipers or master cylinder.

At least I know that my T/A was abused. Seeing as how its engine was blown. But the body was good, and so were the options. And thus worth the 1k.