Rule of thumb with brakes squeeling when you are driving-the wear indicators are contacting the rotors (Think of a needle on a record.)-then when you brake the sound goes away. The sound goes away due to the high pressure put on the indicators and the pad absorbing the sound.

Squeeling when you are braking-glazed metal and pad material-usually due to excessive breaking/heat build up/brake dust.

Of course squeeling, then squeeking, then grinding within one fluid motion, you should pull over at the nearest bar and have a beer while they tow your HHR home...

I actually had a customer bring me in a half a rotor-yes half down the middle showing the vented portion of the rotor and asked if that was causing his problem. Do not ask me how the caliper piston did not dislodge, God must really help those who have no clue. Anyway I took the shaved rotor, mounted it and added a clock mechanism to the middle. It made for a great conversation piece in the store.

 

I just got some Gold Ceramics from AutoZone for the rears of my car...I will post feedback after I install them but they guy working there (he was cool so I sorta trust him) matched a coupon priced comparable Advanced Auto Gold Ceramic pad, and said that the company they have manufacturing their Gold Line Ceramics @ AZ had a new process that is using a higher quality ceramic and that he really shouldn't be matching the price for me since they actually cost AZ more than they used to so he hooked me up with a discount that brought the from $38 to $31 and the Advanced Auto's with coupon came to $27.99, but I am a AZ member so I get a point for every purchase over $20 and 5 points gets me a free $20 in store. So it worked out being cheaper.

 

Very Cool collector piece !!!

 

What type of driving do you do to wear them out so soon? I've got 80,000 on the originals. I regularly get 100K on brakes. Are you a tailgater?

 

???

 

I got 57,000 miles from the original pads on my 2009.

However, I suspect you may only have the regular squeal that occurs when there is no “Anti-squeal” goop on the back of the pads. I had to add it to my factory pads – dealer would not do so.

Set yourself up to change the pads, but if upon inspection you have plenty of life left to the pads – just do the goop.

 

Often squeel is a pad that is not tight in the caliper. The so called goop sometimes works but it is best to fit the pads tight and use a higher quality pad that has a cover on the back of the pad that dampens the noise.

Depending on the caliper may effect on how you tight you can get the pads. Many of todays car don't have the old tabs of the older style pads.

 

Can caliper lube be used on backing of pad or does it need to be another kind of brake grease?

 

It's more of a paste that applied to the back of the pad. It has many names. Anti squeal ect. Ask the parts store counter person they will help you find it.

I myself don't use this stuff. I have had good luck with less noise using a ceramic type pad

 

Caliper lube is for for where the caliper moves in the bracket. Not for the pads.
The pads use(if used) a goop or glue type material. Sold under different names such as Disc Brake Quiet etc.
Do Not put grease on brakes pads. The oil in grease can leech into the pads and destroy them.