Squealing Brakes

[smileyq]

I have a 03 Disco that the breaks are starting to squeal on while stopping at low speeds. Does this typically mean my brake pads are wearing down? Is this a pretty easy fix. I have the workstop manual and it appears to be pretty simple. Any help would be appreciated so I can keep it out of the stealership if at all possible.

[Choqiees]

that doesn't always mean your brake pads wearing off. mine was squealing with new brake pads. mine squeals while &after offroading

[REFERJOHN]

just wondering if you are using genuine land rover brake pads

[Disco]

Your brake squeal at slow speed could be a result of dust/dirt on the disks. A simple solution is to put the hose on it and try washing it out. If this does not solve the problem, it could well be that the pads may need replacing; you should have some idea as to how far you've gone on them.

[smileyq]

Well I bought this disco used about 3 months ago so I'm assumming its got the original pads on it. Because of this I can only assume they have around 45k on them. Will I be able to tell just by looking at the pads?

[Disco]

The minimum pad thickness should be 0.280 inches which includes the backplate.

[Disco Mike]

Originally Posted by smileyq

Well I bought this disco used about 3 months ago so I'm assumming its got the original pads on it. Because of this I can only assume they have around 45k on them. Will I be able to tell just by looking at the pads?

With 45K on the truck, chances are your brakes have probably been replaced, especially the fronts cause they wear out so fast.
As already mentioned, brake dust can cause some squeak, but the major cause for heavy vehicles is the pads and or the rotors get glazed.
You should probably take a look at both front and rears to see how much is left.
They are fairly easy to change out. Make sure the replacement pads have a sound deadening pad, the pads have a slight bevel to the edges and use some extra aftermarket brake deadening material and don't forget to do a full brake bleed which wil give you a firmer barke pedal.
Depending on what you are using your truck for, you can use factory pads, or go to Atlantic British for a choice of brake pad replacements.
Good luck,
Mike

[smileyq]

Thats the word I was afraid I would hear. "Bleed" the brakes. After looking in my workshop manual the actual changing of the brake pads doesn't look too bad at all but I was wondering if I was going to have to bleed the brakes after I was done etc.. What tools would I need to do this? Also the book says I need a special tool to put the caliper back on, do I actually need a Land Rover tool for this or would any regular brake tool work for this. Sorry for all the questions just trying to learn more about my rover.

Thanks for all the feedback so far. You guys are great!

[Disco Mike]

The only special tool you need will be a hand held impact driver to break the large phillips screw that holds the rotor to the hub, that is assuming you need to replace your rotors.
The barke bleed is the easy part, do a gravity bleed, opening one bleeder screw at a time and let it drip till you get clean fresh fluid. Make sure of course, that you keep filling your brake resevor as you go along. You will beed at least 3 pints, I use Vavolines synthetic fluid which is much less prone to burning and won't absorb moisture.
Good luck,
Mike

[lynall]

Easy job remove wheel undo and remove two 12mm spanner sized bolts lift of caliper remove old pads, copper slip edge of new pads and fit, using a large pair of slip joint pliers very slowly push the caliper pistons back in , once in refit caliper do up two bolts and refit wheel.

Bleed brake when you change pads why?

Never done that in my 18 years as a mechanic.

Lynall

[Disco Mike]

Originally Posted by lynall

Easy job remove wheel undo and remove two 12mm spanner sized bolts lift of caliper remove old pads, copper slip edge of new pads and fit, using a large pair of slip joint pliers very slowly push the caliper pistons back in , once in refit caliper do up two bolts and refit wheel.

Bleed brake when you change pads why?

Never done that in my 18 years as a mechanic.

Lynall

Lynall,
Brake fluid turns acidic and will take out caliper or any other seal. Burned brake fluid also allows a softer pedal with time, also allows brake fade to occur when braking hard.
Rovers are so weak when it comes to brakes that anything that will create a better stoppin vehicle. I run my truck really hard and have actually started running synthetic brake fluid 2 years ago. Running DBA rotors and Kevlar brakes pads aloows me to stop fast and I get alot less brake fade.
I started running shops in the early 70's and that is one thing we have always suggested for every brake job or every 30,000 miles if you do alot of wheeling.
Mike

[dirtyduk]

first of all squeal is caused from the pads vibrating in the carrier,its really a high pitched vibration you hear.
a few things can cause this.
1) pads that fit too lose in the carrier (aftermarket usually)
2) rotors that are worn to their limit, (large lip at the outer dia and ridge at the inner)
3) dirt or dust getting trapped in the pad groove
4) pads installed incorrectly (tapered edge of pad facing away from rotor travel)
if all of these issues are addressed and they still squeal at times, pull the pad and put a little antiseize at the edges of the backing plate where its shinny,thats where they rub or vibrate.I'll also scrape the caliper clean where the pad sits and put a dab of antiseize there too,upper and lower.
if this info dosen't work just press a little harder on that pedal,these vehicles do have bigger brakes than most humans need.

[smileyq]

Great tips guys I really appreciate it. I got the pads down as far as telling if they are worn but how would I know if the rotor's are worn?

[Disco Mike]

Originally Posted by smileyq

Great tips guys I really appreciate it. I got the pads down as far as telling if they are worn but how would I know if the rotor's are worn?

How many miles on the truck? Chance are if you are under 40K you are probably all right. The only sure way to know is remove the rotors and have them measured at a shop.
Mike

[smileyq]

I have 44,800 on it now. The squeling isn't consistant but happens occasionally on slow stops.