Why do my breaks squeak

[fiesta_lad]

Hi just a quick question i have noiced my breaks on my car are very loud and squeaky when i stop i have a fiesta mk5 51 plate 1.3 endure e engine. Now i have tryed jet washing the wheel just incase there was a bit of dirt but still squeaking they never used to anyone know cheers alan.

[Big Bob]

Hi just a quick question i have noiced my breaks on my car are very loud and squeaky when i stop i have a fiesta mk5 51 plate 1.3 endure e engine. Now i have tryed jet washing the wheel just incase there was a bit of dirt but still squeaking they never used to anyone know cheers alan.

There are different types of brake squeal, pedal creaking, brake squeaks when pedal is pressed, prolonged squeal as the car is slowing, intermittant eek eek eek as you are driving along.

I assume you mean the prolonged squeal as you are braking, which can be due to dry rusty backing plates on the pads, the usual first fix for me is to remove the brake pads & clean them up, then apply a thin smear of copper grease to the back of the pads & to the contact points on the edge of the metal backing plate.

MAKE SURE NO GREASE GETS ONTO THE FACE OF THE PAD.

Power washing will remove any lube already there & may cause the caliper to sieze later on, so I would not advise excessive power washing of the brakes, you may also force water into the wheel bearings.

[Gazjs]

If its a constant squeak then check your tyres for perishing

[PhilWoodcock]

I own a 02 plate fiesta mk5 1.3 and in the past couple of days it has developed a squeak on the brakes on the front which stops when you touch the brakes and starts again as soon as you let of them. So i was wondering if anybody knew what it could be?

[calmcdermott]

Check if there is plenty of 'meat' left on the brake pads, if not it will be the metal sqeeking on the disc (including you big bob) and I have noticed in the past with my older cars when i used cheap break pads (thats if you have too) they used to squeek, only thing i can think of tbh.