Front Brake squealing after new calipers, rotors, & pads

Hello from San Diego,

I had my 1992 Ford E350 in storage (near the beach) for several years with little driving. Last Sept. when I took it for a drive to have it smogged and begin more active driving, the steering pulled when braking. The calipers were sticking. The frozen calipers caused me to have to have the calipers and rotors replaced, plus new pads at an AAA approved service center. The brakes squealed from day one and nine months later, after 1000 miles the squealing is not going away.

So I took it in to the same place in June and they said the pads were glazed from my motorhome being so heavy (overloaded with all my stuff inside). They said the extra weight I carry causes the brakes to overheat, causing the glazing. But I only drive it very short distances, and the brakes squeal first thing in the morning when the brakes haven’t had a chance to overheat.

After the shop mechanics noticed the glazed pads when I took it back in June, they sprayed the pads with anti-squeak fluid, suggested I carry less weight, and recommended that I pay to have the rear brakes adjusted, suggesting that out of adjustment brakes could cause the front brakes to bear too much of the braking load.

But I only have 6,500 original miles on the vehicle, never drive with the emergency brake on, and rarely am I forced to brake hard, not doing any high speed driving. They said there were no visible leaks in the rear, but never pulled off the wheels, because they wanted to charge me extra for that, and they already were into me for $900 on the front brake work.

So I’m wondering what caused the glazing and why such a loud squeal even first thing in the morning, traveling anywhere from 5 mph to 45 and applying the brakes.
Is most or all of this due to problems where the pads and rotors come into contact, and the vehicle weight or rear brakes have nothing to do with it? I don’t think they really want to resolve the problem, but just want to come up with excuses for neglecting some aspect of the front brake set-up.

I’m going to take it to their shop this week, but the warranty will be up Sept 8th. and I’m afraid they will give me some run-around excuse, or want to charge me for something else, letting the warranty lapse on a $900 brake job. I want to be more knowledgeable so I don’t have to live with this horrible brake squeal which could last indefinitely unless something is done.

Someone suggested that I test rear brake adjustment using the emergency brake at 15 mph with the release handle held out so the brakes don’t lock up. Is this a good test with drum rear brakes to tell if adjustment is off enough to be a likely source of front disc brake glazing?

Any timely comments from forum members would be appreciated.

Tom
class_artist@yahoo.com

Some vehicles are just more prone to squeel and not always the heavy ones. I have had good luck with every one that I replaced with the NAPA premimum pads. They are even guaranteed not to squeel.

I uesd EBC heavy duty brake pads and slotted and drilled rotors for my 97' econoline, i spent a total of $220, that cured all of my front brake problems.