I bought new brakes a few years ago. They started squealling after one year. Everything was fine till then. I think the pads have worn down enough causing a new layer within the pads to come in contact with the rotor???? What is your thought? And ,,, every time I wash the car the brake rotors become rusty until I drive the car which then clears up the problem. Is there a rotor out there that doesn't rust? I don't want carbon disc brakes though

 

There is an anti squeal lube that you can put on the back of pads when you replace them that can help, it can also depend on the material used for the pads, if it has been a few years replace them with another brand. As to the rusty rotors if you have iron rotors they will rust when you get them wet, that simple.

 

The squealing isn't from a new layer in the pads being exposed. It's most likely just a product of brake dust. Do a few panic stops on the highway from 80 mph to burn the dust off and see if it goes away. The easiest way to do this safely is find a deserted road somewhere or else take a nice straight exit ramp fast and brake really hard at the end of it.

Your brake rotors are definitely going to rust from rain or washing and there's nothing you can do about it.

 

Brakes are too critical to have any doubts about their condition so you really should have them checked out to be sure nothing serious is amiss.

There are wear sensors and if the pad material was worn down enough the brake light would be on. 'course, this assumes the bulb/LED is still working. You verify this light (along with all the others) comes on when the key is turned to on.

The times my cars develop a faint brake squeal is the time I know I need to wash the brakes. Yes, I take the car to a DIY car wash and use the soap setting of the hand held wash gun to soap down the brakes and then follow with a rinse.

I avoid jamming the tip right down at the pad/caliper area -- to avoid possibly tearing the piston dust boots -- but I make sure the brakes get thoroughly soaped up then as thoroughly rinsed.

The water runs off with a hint of black which tells me it is carrying away brake dust.

Be sure to drive the car after this and use the brakes hard enough to get them plenty hot to dry them, or they'll rust something fierce.

If your car's brakes have drilled rotors be sure all holes are clear. I've seen some cars with these holes nearly plugged with brake dust/brake rust.

I've never had to do it but only after installing new brake pads or pads/rotors but a brake bedding in might help. NO need to get all crazy and do this 20 times. Two very aggressive slow downs from speed should have the brakes right if this is going to help them at all.

 

When you changed the brake pads, did you leave out the anti squealers and brake wear indicators as the track guys do? The anti squealers are like crowns on the rear of the pads. The wear sensors go into the pad itself. If so then theres your answer.

After washing the car, simply run and brake a few times to dry the discs off then they will not rust. Unless you have more money than sense to buy other discs.

 

I agree that brakes are nothing to fool with, I'd just go in for an inspection and be done, it's just a matter of removing the tires and looking, in fact take your finger and run it along the outter edge of the roter and see how far down they are, they usually wear at about the same rate as the pads. As far as the rust goes, kinda freeks you out I know, but perfectly normal