Noisy brakes

[TheFly]

I was driving to work this morning and noticed my front brakes are suddenly squeeling. It started happening towards the end of my 15 mile commute (80% highway). As I applied light pressure to the brake to gradually stop at a taffic light I would hear a high pitched sound. The noise ONLY seemed to happen at a very low speed (under 5 mph) and ONLY when light pressure was applied to the brake.

The car is an 08 b7 3.2 MT with only 2400 miles. I would assume this shouldn't be happening at this point...it's basically a new car.

Has this happened to anyone else this early on in the life of their car?

Thanks for your help.

[rings65]

Pretty standard stuff. Our brakes generate a lot of dust and mine start squealing a couple of weeks after I wash the car. Take a hose or high-pressure washer and spray off the rotors (make sure your brakes are cool) and the problem should go away.

When it starts happening again lather, rinse & repeat.

[Glassnpowder98]

This pretty much happens to everyone... I was told by my friend who is also a mechanic, that squealing and a good amount of dusting is usually a sign of a good performing brake pad material. It's probably just starting to happen to you because your pads are starting to bed. Bedding is when you develop a slight film on your rotor. This helps create more friction and better stopping power. I'll definitely agree with you that it sounds pretty awful and like something is wrong, but sometimes it's funny seeing people cringe when you pull up next to them. Haha although it can be kind of embarrassing because it sounds like you need new pads and are too cheap to buy them.

[MAlby7]

I was just going topost the same problem. So can I blow out the dust with a compressor or do I need to spray the rotors with a power washer?

[davis449]

Mine does this too. Don't worry too much about it. When you hear the squeak EVERY time you push the pedal pretty much regardless of speed, you need to worry. I've hear BMW and MB's that do this too. It's pretty normal. Just rinse off your rotors cold when you get a chance.

[Bmeister]

All of my German cars do this (Porsche, Mercedes too) due to the pad/disc material and it's normal for them. If you go to a different pad, say a ceramic type, that can alleviate much the dust and noise.

[Glassnpowder98]

I'm not sure if this whole washing the rotors or powerwashing the rotors is a good thing. Like I stated earlier, the pads bed with the rotors developing a film that helps create more friction to stop the car better. Washing away this film might not be the best idea if you're trying to have maximum performance. I know that not everyone is tracking their car, but if you need to panic stop, you're going to want the best stopping power possible... I don't think that it's really going to hurt your braking power too much, maybe just a few feet. But a few feet can be a big deal when avoiding an accident.

I'm in no way an expert when it comes to brakes, so maybe someone else that knows more can chime in.

[aspw]

I'm glad someone posted about this. the "squeeeeel" is slowly driving me crazy though. Though, I remember reading that Autozone sells a spray product that when applied on the rotors it stops the squealing. I've never tried it though.

[akasch]

This is weird I have an apointment to take my car in just for this. I'll have to try power washing the wheels. But I just washed my car and they still do this though hmmm

[vroompshert]

I have the same issue. Thanks for the info.

[Bllzll]

blah yeah same issue.. my breaks squeel like crazy and i cant stand it.. its embarrassing rolling up anywhere and my breaks are making all this noise..

it seems to me that washing them is the only solution.. i wonder if that spray from autozone actually works.. anyone ever try it??

[4RingRook]

This just started happening on mine. I'll dig the hose out tonight after work.

[vtracer20]

mine only squeel cold and at <10mph pressing brakes lightly