subverbal

Hi all...
I've got a MY00 with very annoying brakes - after about 5-10 mins of driving they squeal until any kind of brake pressure is applied and then all is quiet, until you lift off the brakes and then the noise returns. I've done a quick search and not found much on this. I'd assumed that if the pads were worn out they'd squeal during braking and not vice versa?? What can I check and how do I check it?
I'd also be keen to find out if there is any good info on replacing discs/pads on an Impreza for the novice - as Mr Haynes won't tell me.
Thanks,
Neil.

alext32

Neil - is it a metalic scraping sound ? sometimes the pads have wear indicator pins on them that make contact with the disc when the pad gets down to a certain thickness. Either that or it's a stone or a bit of grit!

Pad change is quite easy on the 4 pots.
Take the retaining wire out of the rear end of the retaining pins (on the back of the caliper).
The cross shaped retaining clip can be prized off with a screwdriver (from the top)
Slide out the pad pins (may have to gently knock them out).
Use some pliers to grab the pad edge and wiggle it out. Same for both pads.
Use a piece of timber to push the pistons back a little and refit the new pads (don't forget shims).
Make sure the disc is seated OK (is only held on by wheel so can come loose).
Refit pins, cross shaped clip and retaining wire.
Job done.
Run in pads gently (as per manufacturers guidlines).

Shout if you get stuck - plenty of help on here !

Kevenh

Sorry to bump a June 06 thread, but I have the same problem!

Squeals from the front that stop when you apply any pressure on the brake pedal.

The brake pads should've been changed about 3K ago. As that was the advice given to the OP, I'll go out and check that now - make sure the work was done.

EDIT: front pads were easy to check, and look as if they did get changed. Wasn't easy to check the rears, and what I have or haven't seen requires me to remove the rear wheel(s) and get some reasurrance that there is some pad left.

Kevenh

Took four wheels off and checked pad wear. All look OK - lots of life left.

Taking the wheels off to check pad & disc wear is probably a newbie/numptie way to do it, but I can't see the rear pads with the wheel on!? Plus, reading this forum I was also looking for trapped stones, etc.

Took the scoob out for a short 8mile trip to help the wife with chores. No squeaks on this trip, but it's too early to say removing the wheels and refitting them helped. I'll know a few days into my daily commute.

Kevenh

One M.O.T. and a service where I mentioned the noise later, I still have the noise.

The garage did suggest that the task left to do is cleaning the disks and pads.
Any school boy errors than can be made with this step?
I plan to use a small steel brush to gently ease off the rust on the edge of the disk - not touching the polished pad landing area. ty

johnnyroper

i use a screwdriver blade on edge of disc abd rotate it to remove rust
i would then remove glaze off discs and pad face by roughing slightly with emery cloth
when refitting use a light smear of copper slip on rear of pads
if noise still persists it is probably the material used in pads and only a pad change will cure the problem

Kevenh

Thanks.
Cleaning them like you suggested made a great improvement - but I must've missed a little section.

Should've taken more time at it.
Still, the noise is now at a level where you need to listen for it, rather than piercing

Yamarashi

Chamfering the leading edge of the pads a little with a file will also stop brake squeal.