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Geo-Col · 07-06-2016, 08:24 PM

Towed 6 hours this last weekend and noticed that the brakes were squealing really badly. I have greased the slides on the calipers but that did not help. Anybody else have problem and how you solved it? Thank you.
George

rockintom · 07-06-2016, 11:04 PM

I personally have not had that happen. Are you sure it the coach brakes and not the truck? Applying the manual control on the brake controller would answer that question. Does it only squeal on brake application? Since you have lubed the slides I take it you checked for pad wear and amount of life left on the pads. Assume they are not worn to the point of where they were on the "squealers". rockin'

Geo-Col · 07-07-2016, 06:28 AM

Tom,
It is definitely the trailer as truck dosen't squeal. Have plenty of brake pad left. Has squealed for a long time, just getting worse.
George

drfife · 07-07-2016, 08:05 AM

Does it squeal only when braking?

How many miles towing?

What brake controller and what settings?

Geo-Col · 07-07-2016, 06:37 PM

Russ,
Only when braking. 10 to 12k towing. Controler set at setting 6 out of 10, on heavy electric/hydraulic.
George

Live 2 Camp · 07-08-2016, 07:42 AM

What are the condition of the rotors? Slight corrosion can cause that, also. I have not been into my brakes, yet, but I have some brake noise but I know they have some rotor corrosion. Assuming they are like conventional disc brakes there is a product called disc brake quiet. Providing all else is in working order this product is applied to the back of the pads to help hold the pads in place against the caliper and the piston. It comes in spray form and is tacky to the touch. Many new pads come with a sticky side that does exactly what this does but after 30 years in the automotive field I can say it works great, just make sure all else is working properly and the noise isn't simply lack of use and/or corrosion on the rotors.

Max1 · 07-08-2016, 08:14 AM

Not sure if same brakes but on autos I've had squealing brakes before and when checked was told most likely just a small pebble may have gotten in and seems to have always worked its way out. The small round stone used for chip sealing roads have always been the worst and seem easiest to pickup.

Geo-Col · 07-08-2016, 08:28 AM

There is a light amount of surface rust on disks when we haven't towed in a while. As soon as the brakes are used agin they are clean. I will see about get the spray you suggested. Thanks.

CARLnJANIS · 07-08-2016, 10:39 AM

Geo,

I haven't had a squealing brake problem in a long time and not at all with disk brakes. In the past with drum brakes, dirt, rust, brake dust, etc. would glaze the shoes creating small raised spots and start squealing. I would pull the drums and lightly sand the pads. Also, driving in the rain would sometimes stop the squealing. Not sure in this case, maybe the rust is glazing the pads.

Years ago, I would pull the tire and check the pads myself. Now I have to hire it out. If I get down on the ground for an extended length of time, it will take fire and rescue to get me back on my feet.

Live 2 Camp · 07-08-2016, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geo-Col

There is a light amount of surface rust on disks when we haven't towed in a while. As soon as the brakes are used agin they are clean. I will see about get the spray you suggested. Thanks.

Brakes squeak or squeal for various reasons. Most often it's because the pad is loose enough to vibrate against the rotor. This can happen with the brakes disengaged, partially engaged (as you begin to apply them) or fully engaged. All have slightly different approaches to rectifying the issue but, most often it's simply pads that are just loose enough to vibrate on the caliper. The disc brake quiet can be very effective in all cases but isn't a cure-all or a fix for defective equipment. With newer brakes I haven't seen a lot of need for the stuff but may certainly help.

Keep in mind that you will have to remove he pads, spray the "back" of the pad - not the face (braking surface) and reinstall them.