ok i am trying to sell my 87 IROC for a new project and my pass side front wheels is making sort of a scratching noise like something could be caught in my brakes im not sure. it makes this noise while the car is driving and when i step on the brakes the noise gets slightly louder. what it really sounds like is metal rubbing on metal, its not a grinding sound because it is kind of smooth like a "shh...shh...shh..." noise.

any suggestions on what this could be so i can check it out myself and hopefully fix it myself?

 

worn pads, from what you say sounds like its the wear indicator.

 

ya i can see how it could be that but the sound continues even when im not stepping on the break. im not sure id have to take it for a drive again but i think the noise gets a little louder when i steer the wheel? im not sure though, i may just be thinking of this but im trying to give out as much as i know. and the noise is to "light" from what ive heard the worn break indicator sounding like on other cars.
and also recently the driver side front wheel has been making a squeek noise while driving but it goes away then comes back and so on...all very annoying noise which i would like to fix myself if i can find out what it is.

 

so i jacked up the front end of my car today and spun the driver side front wheel. it makes a high pitch metal on metal scratching noise, (not a grinding noise). when i am driving and i step on the brakes this noise goes away but then comes back when i release the brakes.

then on the pass side like i said above it makes more of a shh shh shh noise when the wheel is spinning freely and the noise gets louder when i step on the brakes.

anyone have any ideas of what i should check and how to go about doing so?...my car is sitting on jack stands with no front wheels and i would like to fix this myself.

 

Sure, look at the edges of your inner brake pad. One side will have a metal clip that juts out and points towards the rotor. Chances are this metal clip is touching the rotor, and that's where you're getting your squeal from.

The Haynes 82-92 Camaro (or 82-92 Firebird) manual, $15 from any local parts store, has a photograph-by-photograph procedure of how to do a front brake pad change.

The only special tools you need are:

1. A 3/8 inch allen key - buy one that's a socket for a ratchet. Don't buy an L-shaped allen key! Those bolts are on with 35 ft/lbs of torque, and if they've been on there a while, they'll be really stuck. You'll kill yourself working with just an L-shaped key... definately spend the extra $5 for one that clips to a rachet.

[edit] You want something like this, from Sears:

2. A large c-clamp to compress the caliper piston, $8 at home depot

3. A torque wrench to put the mounting bolts back on- torque spec is 35 ft/lbs, no more, no less. (Don't mess with this spec, it's your brakes!!!) You can find a cheap torque wrench for $30 or get one meant to last a lifetime from Sears for $50.

Add in a good (never generic, never "organic", always at least semi-metallic brand name) set of brake pads, and with the tools included, you'll probably spend less then paying a garage to do the work.

It's also a damned good idea to re-pack the bearings with grease whenever you change your front pads... I've always done that.

 

ya i have all of that, even the manual with the exception of the torque wrench. at least now i know what i should be looking for.
thanks

 

Part of your problem:
"ya i can see how it could be that but the sound continues even when im not stepping on the break."

The 'squealers' that let you know when the brakes are worn out will make noise when you aren't hitting the brakes. Also look for anything rubbing the rotor.

 

the drivers side, the metal clamp in the caliper was not in place which caused that side to make the high pitch squeel. as for the pass side, i felt the back side of the disk and there were grooves in it. something but be grinding that down? noise is still there i couldnt see anything rubbing on it except for maybe the inner brake pad which could be grinding at the disk.