QuestionQUESTION: Hi, 2001 Grand Prix GT, V6 3.8 95,000 mi. A year ago I had all brake pads replaced. Every once in awhile I would hear a little chirp from them. About two months ago they started squealing really bad. I could not tell what one or ones were doing it so I took them all off. Cleaned them and put a dap of grease every place I could see there was rubbing. Still squealed so I replaced the front pads with ceramic pads but after a week they started squealing as bad as before. What am I doing wrong?
Now the ABS light. When I start the car it comes on for like 3 sec. About a week ago the light would come on as I was driving. It would come on in as little as 1 mile and other times I have gone 25 miles before it would come on. Each time I turn the car off it seems to reset itself. It has never stayed on at start up. I replaced both front hubs, one 6 months ago and the other a month ago. What have I done? Thank you so much for your time and service!
ANSWER: Since this leaves a lot of info out I would need for a good decision, I will just ask, how does the disc itself look? Are there any grooves or rough spots? If so they need to be turned on a machine. Also look for a metal tab on the back side of your brakes, it is to tell if your pads are too worn, but sometimes it needs to be adjusted. Last, your ABS sensor ( which is sounding likely) is defective, or that the anti-lock mechanism is broken or assembled incorrectly.
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QUESTION: Hey, Ron thank you so much for getting back to me so soon. The rotors look fine but if you think that is the problem I will get new ones. In the past I have had trouble finding someone around here that can do a good job of turning them. I had already cut the tabs off of the pads so we can rule that out. What other info do you need to help you diagnose the cause of the squealing? Is the ABS sensor something I can replace? If so where is it located? Is the anti-lock mechanism in the hubs I installed? If so it is incased in the hub so is it possiable I could have damaged it? There only seemed to be one way to assemble them. Thanks again, Robert.
AnswerWith what you just told me, I am not so sure about the squealing point anymore. I really hate to say this, But you might want to take it to be looked at. The ability to damage the sensor is pretty low because as you said it can all only be put back together in one way. Honestly you are at the point where I would have to look around on the car.
I am sorry I can't offer better news.
