Persistent chirping sound (brakes, Mazda, noise, 2006)

[AADAD]

2006 Mazda Miata has a persistent high chirp after rear brake job. Everything has been checked tightened and removed and rechecked again and despite this after about 10 miles of warm up the high pitched chirp starts again. It starts on brake application and goes away as more pressure is applied. Any ideas welcomed.

[sunsprit]

"rear brake job" ... what was done? what components replaced?

were the calipers and hardware cleaned? were the pads installed with shims? were the rotors replaced or refinished?

were the wheel lugs torqued to spec in sequence, or were they just run on with a rattle wrench?

was the parking brake adjustment made at the calipers?

the "chirping" noise will be due to a high or hard spot of material running against another component ... could be a defective or warped rotor, sticky caliper/hardware not allowing the pads to fully retract, or similar issues. I infer from your description of the problem that it did not happen prior to the recent work.

At this point, there's so many ways that this work could have been improperly done that you need to take this car to someone who knows what they are doing and what to look for. Can't tell you how many times I've seen shops do a half-as*ed job of this type of simple work and overlook doing the basic procedures correctly ... as well, trash out rotors (even brand new ones!) on installing the wheels with a rattle wrench to tighten them.

[AADAD]

The guy who did the brake job is qualified on the Mazda with excellent refs and as you observe it could be many small things. Is the diagnosis any easier due to the fact that it happens on application of the brakes but does not persist when putting more force on the brakes?

Thanks

[Big George]

Originally Posted by AADAD

The guy who did the brake job is qualified on the Mazda with excellent refs and as you observe it could be many small things. Is the diagnosis any easier due to the fact that it happens on application of the brakes but does not persist when putting more force on the brakes?

Thanks

Sounds like you might have semi-metallic brake pads (shoes?) that are chirping

You could also have a caliper that isn't releasing after you took your foot off the brake.

And it's possible that, if they're rear discs, the rotors needed to be turned or replaced but weren't.

[sunsprit]

Originally Posted by AADAD

The guy who did the brake job is qualified on the Mazda with excellent refs and as you observe it could be many small things. Is the diagnosis any easier due to the fact that it happens on application of the brakes but does not persist when putting more force on the brakes?

Thanks

Diagnosis still the same.

Brake work is just entirely too simple to have this type of ongoing issue. If, for example, it was defective pads ... it's entirely too simple and obvious to try swapping out for another set, maybe trying a different brand or quality. If it's the rotors, the specs and surface quality are well known and can be readily measured and observed. If the rotors were refinished or replaced, they are measureable for defects that could be causing the problem. Or the brake hardware isn't clean, or the shims haven't been installed properly, or the park brake hasn't been adjusted properly .... If everything checks out correctly and there isn't a defective caliper on this car ... which could be verified by exchange ... then there shouldn't be an issue. Think in terms of of what has changed since the car didn't have the problem you have now ....

All you've told me is the this "qualified on the Mazda with excellent refs" mechanic is making the same mistake repeatedly, having done the original work and then gone back in on it a couple times more ....

As a friend of mine, a rather well known neurosurgeon observed: "You're no better than your last case".

[AADAD]

Thanks for the opinions and expert advice. The shop that did the work is seen as an expert so I will take this thread to him and let him weigh in. I am confidant in his work so as you point out it could easily be something that he is missing. Your doctor friend is a wise man. Reputation though made of stars is flimsy as tissue paper. Will let you all know and again......thanks.