Squealing Brakes

[richardg3.2]

I remember someone posting a little while back (can't find the thread) about having a problem with brakes squealing especially when turning a corner with no brakes applied. Well mine had started doing this, would squeal when I turned left, applying the brakes did reduce or eliminate this. On the previous thread it mentioned that it may well be caused by the lip that builds up on discs with some wear on them. Figuring this may be the problem and as Vaux were doing discs and pads for £45 through the trade club I decided to just replace them. Fitted them last night, plenty of copper grease on the backs of the pads etc. Got in the car to go to Asda, fine for about 2 miles then went round a left hander and it started again. Over the next 2 miles it got progressively worse until the squeal was constant and even applying the brakes didn't stop it. Going round a right hand bend it did reduce considerably.
Got home tonight and took the wheels off to have a look and found the problem. Did the brakes in poor light last night so didn't notice but there is a thinnish metal shield/plate that sits between the bottom ball joint and the disc which I assume is designed to remove debris from the disc before it gets round to the caliper. The gap between the ball joint and disc is pretty small anyway and basically muck from the road has got between the ball joint and the shield and forced it closer to the disc until it makes contact. This explains the variation in squealing depending on steering lock because the shield moves around the ball joint as you turn the wheel.
Simply cleared the bit of muck out and pulled the shield off the disc with my fingers (easy to bend) and no squealing Obviously changing the discs made the problem worse as the new discs are that bit thicker so made more contact with the shield. Hope this helps out anybody suffering the same problem.

[Ian]

Nice one Rich, good advice there bud.

[VXR CDTi]

Hmmmm....me thinks this is my problem!

[Richie 695]

thanks for that I took mine off about 4 times after replacing front and back pads and disc's in the summer gave up after applying copper grease to everything I thought was causing it.

[Tadpole]

Good call, I have also experienced something similar with a small stone trapped around the disk, sounds like the thing as about to fall apart ...

[gtr1000]

Post #2 shows where the shield is http://www.vectra-c.com/forum/showthread.php?t=47958

It's not there to scrape crud off the disc but acts as a small heat shield to prevent disc heat transferring to the bottom ball joint bellows.

[lewcdti]

Thank god for this site!

I had squealing when turning and was getting proper worried. Thinking I was gonna have to get new tyres, disks, pads, shocks, etc, etc, etc......

Then I searched 'Squealing when turning' on here and found this thread. Literally a 2-minute fix. If you know whereabouts to put your hand, you dont even have to take the front wheels off, just turn full lock so you can get your hand in behind..

Thanks!!!!!!

[Nato]

This has also reminded me why I paid to renew my subscription to the site this year! 5 minute job each side (including removing and replacing the wheel), and bye bye squeal!

[john506]

Thanks for the heads up, something I need to look at.

Do you have to take the wheel off or can you get at it with it on? (my locking nuts won't come off on the front)

[monty2000]

Figuring this may be the problem and as Vaux were doing discs and pads for £45 through the trade club I decided to just replace them.

can anyone get this trade price club thingy??