QuestionI have a 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe with 77,000 miles. About a month ago it started to squeak, only when I go in reverse. I assumed it was the rear brakes and had them checked. The mechanic states the brakes are fine. He states that when the car sits, it collects moisture on the brakes, and this causes it to squeak. Is this correct? I find it difficult to believe, when I never had this problem before. Should I be checking something else?
AnswerIf this noise occurs when you're applying the brakes, then the diagnosis could indeed be correct. If the noise occurs when you're not applying the brakes, it'd be very unlikely for anything in the braking system (other than a pad wear indicator) to be making this noise.
If you have rear drum brakes, squeaking from them is a fairly common occurrence. This typically occurs because dust accumulates in the drums. As enough dust accumulates, and especially as it attracts moisture, it can cause a squeal type noise as it interacts between the shoes and drums. The solution to this is typically to remove the drums, clean the dust away, and lubricate the contact points between the shoes and the backing plates against which the shoes rest.
If you feel this noise isn't coming from your brakes, you should probably get a second opinion from a highly regarded mechanic. The noise could be coming from just about anywhere on the vehicle, so there's not really much I can tell you here regarding the likely source. If you get the same (or similar) answer, then the diagnosis is most likely correct.
