Intermittent Squeaking

[TranceTrousers]

I've had an intermittent squeaking sound while I'm driving lately. It doesn't happen all the time but when it does it's fairly loud and can last for a while. I've noticed recently that if I use the brakes when it's squeaking the sound stops immediately, which leads me to think it might be something to do with the brakes themselves. Does that sound logical, and if so what could it be?

[Martin1973]

I had this on my last car, are you gentle on the brakes? It was the rear brakes catching the disks and the fact that the brakes develop a glaze causes that noise. If you remove the brakes and rough them up with sand paper it fixes it. You can tell it's the rears if you pull the handbrake up and it stops the noise. Does it happen more when turning sharply?

[TranceTrousers]

Thanks for your reply. I'm relieved to hear that it's probably nothing serious! To answer your questions, yes I'm usually gentle on the brakes and it actually seems to happen more when I'm just driving along in a straightish line.

[eygo]

1) inspect the pads in the carriers make sure they are not tight in the carrier as this may make the pads stay in contact with the disc's,heat can cause squeaking,

2)clean off any rust on the pad & carrier and use a little copper grease on the back of the pad and on the caliper housing where the pads touch.

3)if the brakes are of the sliding caliper type then make sure the caliper is free to move on the pins,again clean and use a smear of copper grease on the pins