Squeaking brakes

[itc_ff]

First off, yes I have researched this. Yes, I know what causes squeaking brakes. I am just asking here in case this is a "known problem."

 

I've had squeaking brakes for about 2 months. I think it's the rear brakes. The squeaking occurs only during very light braking (such as creeping in traffic or pulling into a parking spot). It's not an issue when I use normal force to brake from anything over ~30 km/h. If I hit the brakes harder than necessary during the times the squeaking does occur, I can eliminate the noise. The brakes do not seem defective in any other way, and the car does not pull when braking. The squeaking only begins after the car has been driven for some time (maybe 5-10 km on average). The brakes are not wet. In my opinion, this has something to do with the brakes getting warm. But that doesn't make sense since action that would generate a lot of heat (such as nailing the brakes at highway speed) doesn't ever evoke any noise.

 

I had the car in for its 90 day inspection/free oil change/transmission flash this week, and mentioned this problem (actually I had it in before for this problem, and they greased the brake system, but this had zero effect once I pulled out of the dealer lol). They said they test drove the car and did not notice any problems. They said the brakes looked fine. I'm going back tomorrow for another issue, so I'll bring it up again. The brakes work fine, it's just kind of embarrassing having squeaking brakes on a new car, especially where you don't want it (traffic, your own drive way, etc.:P).

 

I'm 95% sure this has nothing to do with the Fusion line or Ford, and is simply a defective rotor or pad. Still, I'm interested to see if anyone else is having brake noise unusually early (4000 km here).

 

The car is a 2010 Fusion SEL V6

[Grey]

First guess is mild surface rust on the rotors. It will wear off after a few stops and that is why the dealership doesn't hear/see it.

[lisasfordfusion222]

Love my 2010 Ford Fusion Sport! However, I miss my 2007 Fusion. The 2010 has squeaking brakes. I took it to dealer at 10,000. Their explanation was rust, or the fact that asbestos isn't used anymore. (DUH!) I paid big bucks for this car, and I find it quite ridiculous.

[drolds1]

Love my 2010 Ford Fusion Sport! However, I miss my 2007 Fusion. The 2010 has squeaking brakes. I took it to dealer at 10,000. Their explanation was rust, or the fact that asbestos isn't used anymore. (DUH!) I paid big bucks for this car, and I find it quite ridiculous.

 

 

You haven't given us very much information. Under what conditions do your brakes squeak/squeal? All the time, just in the morning until they warm up, light application, heavy application, etc?

 

Brake noise is one of the most common automotive complaints and as much as you pooh-pooh your dealer's explanation, they are right on the money and this has been the case ever since asbestos was eliminated as the main friction component of brake pad/shoe construction.

 

From trustmymechanic.com:

 

This unfortunately can happen more than you or I want it to. A certain amount of high-pitched brake noise is considered "normal" these days because of the harder semi-metallic disc brake pads that are used on cars now. In my experience, the smaller cars like Honda and Toyota seem to have the most trouble with this. Squeals heard the first few stops in the morning when the brakes are cold and somewhat damp from dew, and squeals that are heard the last few feet while coming to a stop are usually nothing to worry about.

 

Semi-metallic brakes are made of bits of metal shavings in place of the asbestos material that has been banned by the U.S. government. These semi-metallic brakes have great stopping power and have a long wear life, but can cause a high-pitched squeal that drives car owners crazy and frustrates mechanics who can't get it to go away to please their customers.

 

Furthermore, depending on ambient conditions, rust can form on exposed rotor surfaces overnight. Rotors are made of iron and the braking surfaces are exposed to the elements. The rotors on my MKZ even form light surface rust when I wash the car, a matter of an hour. This rust will disappear with the first brake application. This can cause some initial squeal as well. So, your dealer is right on both counts.

 

This problem cuts across all makes of cars, even far more expensive ones than your Fusion. Take a look at this bulletin to dealers from BMW Canada. No disrespect to you, but these people have paid even bigger bucks for their cars.

 

This is from Edmunds.com:

 

The squeal from my brakes is so loud that the car is practically un-drivable. I called my local Lexus dealership and they said it is a common problem with the GS350. Even more frustrating, the replacement parts might not be available for a month. The service rep mentioned that they are waiting on new parts to come from the factory and he has no time-line for arrival. The brake squeal is a known problem and my local Lexus shop has done a number of repairs.

 

The Lexus GS 350 starts at $47G

 

I know this doesn't alleviate your problem, but the point is that brake squeal has been a common complaint since the ban on use of asbestos and your dealer is giving you honest answers. It's not exclusive to Ford and the price of the car makes no difference.

 

Do you do a lot of slow speed or stop and go driving? In that case, a glaze can sometimes form on the rotors which can cause brake noise. I'd suggest you find an empty parking lot and make a few hard stops from moderate speed, giving the the brakes time to cool between each stop. This might eliminate any rotor glaze and your squeal with it. If not , the next time you take the car in for service ask to speak to the service manager and politely but firmly make your feelings known. There might be other things they can try, such as putting a non-directional finish on your rotors.

 

I hope this helps somewhat. Keep us posted.

Edited December 12, 2010 by drolds1

[lisasfordfusion222]

You haven't given us very much information. Under what conditions do your brakes squeak/squeal? All the time, just in the morning until they warm up, light application, heavy application, etc?

 

Brake noise is one of the most common automotive complaints and as much as you pooh-pooh your dealer's explanation, they are right on the money and this has been the case ever since asbestos was eliminated as the main friction component of brake pad/shoe construction.

 

From trustmymechanic.com:

 

 

 

Furthermore, depending on ambient conditions, rust can form on exposed rotor surfaces overnight. Rotors are made of iron and the braking surfaces are exposed to the elements. The rotors on my MKZ even form light surface rust when I wash the car, a matter of an hour. This rust will disappear with the first brake application. This can cause some initial squeal as well. So, your dealer is right on both counts.

 

This problem cuts across all makes of cars, even far more expensive ones than your Fusion. Take a look at this bulletin to dealers from BMW Canada. No disrespect to you, but these people have paid even bigger bucks for their cars.

 

This is from Edmunds.com:

 

 

 

The Lexus GS 350 starts at $47G

 

I know this doesn't alleviate your problem, but the point is that brake squeal has been a common complaint since the ban on use of asbestos and your dealer is giving you honest answers. It's not exclusive to Ford and the price of the car makes no difference.

 

Do you do a lot of slow speed or stop and go driving? In that case, a glaze can sometimes form on the rotors which can cause brake noise. I'd suggest you find an empty parking lot and make a few hard stops from moderate speed, giving the the brakes time to cool between each stop. This might eliminate any rotor glaze and your squeal with it. If not , the next time you take the car in for service ask to speak to the service manager and politely but firmly make your feelings known. There might be other things they can try, such as putting a non-directional finish on your rotors.

 

I hope this helps somewhat. Keep us posted.

[lisasfordfusion222]

Thank you for the tips. I spoke with my Ford dealer earlier today. They have been getting a lot of calls on all makes, as you stated. I'm going to try the parking lot trick. My brakes squeal whether wet or dry, given light or hard pressure, and probably about 80% of the time I apply them. I do heavy city driving.....stop,go,stop,go. My Mom has a new MKZ, and has noticed brake noise, but not to the extent I do.

My salesman that has sold me my last 3 Fords may take it for a day to see what he thinks. (He has a Fusion also, so I'm not worried I won't be getting it back)

[MKZ 2011]

Yes, our 2011 MKZ Hybrid has squeaky brakes, too. We took it to the dealer just before the warranty ran out and they said they couldn't repeat the noise. We went back a few moths later and they "de-glazed" the rotors and charged us $162. 4 weeks later we returned and they replaced the rotors and pads and wanted to charge us for the pads $75 when I blew a gasket in my head and they said they would re-reimburse us for the $162 for which we are waiting for because they said they need to make it a check.

 

Not happy about the whole deal. I'll feel better if we really do get the reimbursement.