Freelander 1 squeal

hi all
Whilst heading home on the motorway the other day I had to brake for speed restrictions. Anyway I heard a squeal from o/s front wheel after coming off the motorway it carried on squealing all the way home about 3 miles. So I thought brake pads. But next morning no sound what so ever?
So is there anyway way I can check the pads before I go get ripped off!!
Thanks for any advice

Might have been a stone trapped between the pad and disk.

Col

Perhaps it's your driving style. Did you have a passenger the first day and none the next?

That sounds feasible col.
no rank no passengers lol
By the way lads car had been stood 3 days if that could make any difference. So can I check pads without going to the licensed money maker’s

Pads are cheap and easy to replace yourself if needed.

Am not that confident grumpy
If I only had the belief that some of the comics on here have
Thanks though

To check pads.
Remove wheel and look in the caliper

If you post some pics of what you see maybe others could advise possible problem. Or nothing wrong. Start with easy steps.
I take it you have changed a wheel before and know how to do that

J

Yes marjon I have al try that in the morning
Cheers

It was probably a stone, maybe thrown out if you reversed to park or pull away, or maybe still in there, just moved a bit.

If you do need/want to replace the pads, you're a plumbing engineer so presumably have some tools.

There's 5 nuts to remove the wheel and 2 bolts to remove the caliper. Pull the caliper clear of the disk and the old pads slide out and new ones in. You'll have to push the new pads out cos they will be thicker than the old ones, maybe even need to undo the bleed nipple a bit to let some fluid out.

There's a possibility that the disks will have worn which leaves a lip round the outside which can make getting the old pads off a bit fiddly, and if they are to worn, they will need replacement - even that's an easy job, IIRC there's 1 screw to undo because they are held on with the wheel nuts.

If you really don't want to replace the pads, just ring a couple of local garages for a quote. Undoubtedly, you will chose one, then get a call from them to say the disks need replacing to, so make sure you get a quote for pads and pads & disks.

In my humble opinion, when a garage says the disks need replacing, in 99% of cases, they don't. I remember a time when Unipart (I think it was) offered a disk skimming service to take off any score marks. That would have made the disks thinner than the manufacturers recommendations. In those day skimming the disks was cheaper than buying new.

Col

Colthebrummie said:

In my humble opinion, when a garage says the disks need replacing, in 99% of cases, they don't.

Click to expand...

Discs on modern cars are below the minimum specification, once 2 sets of pads have been used through.

Nodge68 said:

Discs on modern cars are below the minimum specification, once 2 sets of pads have been used through.

Click to expand...

Yes, but do the disks really need changing once they have reached the manufacturers minimum thickness, I don't think they do. Clock manufacturers recommend their clocks are serviced yearly but nobody does it.

Col

Colthebrummie said:

Yes, but do the disks really need changing once they have reached the manufacturers minimum thickness, I don't think they do.

Click to expand...

I disagree.
A car manufacturer has a minimum disc thickness for a reason, other than selling replacement discs at the service. Brake discs are a safety critical component, and as such will deteriorate from the moment they are fished bedding in from new. If you're happy running discs to below the manufacturer's recommended minimum thickness, then that's up to you. But just bear in mind that if you have an accident in which you blame the brakes, then it's possible that the insurance assessor will deem the vehicle as unsafe, and instruct the insurer to void the claim. Never mind the fact that you could hurt or possibly kill an innocent person because you fancy saving a few quid on replacement discs.

Brakes are the single most important item on a vehicle, so why scrimp on saving a few pounds. New discs and pads for the FL1 cost less than one medium range tyre costs, so why not simply replace them when they're worn?

Nodge68 said:

I disagree.
A car manufacturer has a minimum disc thickness for a reason, other than selling replacement discs at the service. Brake discs are a safety critical component, and as such will deteriorate from the moment they are fished bedding in from new. If you're happy running discs to below the manufacturer's recommended minimum thickness, then that's up to you. But just bear in mind that if you have an accident in which you blame the brakes, then it's possible that the insurance assessor will deem the vehicle as unsafe, and instruct the insurer to void the claim. Never mind the fact that you could hurt or possibly kill an innocent person because you fancy saving a few quid on replacement discs.

Brakes are the single most important item on a vehicle, so why scrimp on saving a few pounds. New discs and pads for the FL1 cost less than one medium range tyre costs, so why not simply replace them when they're worn?

Click to expand...

I hear what you are saying Nodge but whilst I've heard of many instance of brake failure concerning various components, I've never heard of a disk failing to the extent that the brakes failed. I agree there will be a point where the wear on the disks will cause brake fade and that is definately the time they must be changed, but depending on the type of pads being used, a disk will be good for more than 2 pad changes. Unless of course you drive like a Formula 1 driver, in which case all bets are off.

Col