Hey Fellers, I hate asking funny noise questions but here I go I hear what sounds to me like metal to metal on one of my brakes but only once in awhile and only on light braking. I can't pin point front or rear. The truck doesn't pull in either direction while braking hard. I replaced the front pads early this summer with mid grade pads from NAPA and no issues till a few weeks ago. I thought OK the rear pads must be the culprit (158,000 miles on rig) I pulled the drums today and the pads at 50%....Dangit! I may pull the front wheels next to look again at the front pads. Any ideas??? Driving me nuts. Thanks.

 

You may be hearing the brake pads screeching along the metal slides. You could clean up the slides and pins then coat them with synthetic brake hardware grease. Also inspect the pad and rotor surfaces for glazing.

 

The rear pads were glossy looking, maybe rough them up with a scotch bright pad?

 

That would work, but check the drums as well. Did you clean and lubricate the slide hardware when the fronts were replaced?

 

No just cleaned things, no lube came with new parts. The noise when it happens is more of a slight grinding noise not a squeal

 

Yeah! The brake grease has to be purchased separately. The parts must slide freely on the calipers. A grinding...could be the pads delaminating or transferring pad material onto the rotors. Make sure everything is sliding freely and the caliper pistons are moving properly.

 

I'll follow your advice and chime in when I figure this out. Thanks a lot and Happy New Year.

 

One last thought! If the front hardware is old and original to the vehicle, it may be worth it to replace the slides for a few dollars. They do get weak and wear out over time. Autozone or any local parts store should have them. Keep us updated with your findings! Have a happy and prosperous New Year!

 

Probably need to lube the slides....just hanging up after a brake event.

You say pads are glazed on rear, do you have drums or discs?

If disc, lube sliders, if drums, check adjustment, you may be dragging a little....

 

One other thought, on my wife's toyota there was a small piece of gravel got in the pad area and made a noise like grinding. had to pull the pads to get it out.