Brake Squeaking problem...

[gtg749m]

2002 with 75k miles. 2nd owner, picked up at 25k miles. OEM everything!

I have been on the 1st set of pads (since i bought the car) and my brakes have started to squeak about a month ago and have been getting worse. Its not a 'warm up' issue b/c I can drive 30 miles stop and go and it still squeaks.

Ive checked the pad thickness and there is PLENTY of meat left. I've tried regreasing all shims/pad backing with no luck. Rotors look fine with the exception of one rotor which has a slight groove in it (maybe a rock got stuck in the pad at some point but i never saw anything in the pads when I regreased)

The squeaking happens on light/med/hard stops. It was however a little better when it was raining out.

Im at the point where I'm thinking to just replace all 4 pads but is that a waste of money? Any suggestions on what I should do or what it might be?

Thanks!!

[repiv]

You indicate that there is "plenty of meat" left on the pads, however, looks can be deceiving. Check to see if the thickness sensor is touching the rotor. As the pad wears down to a pre-designated thickness, the sensor probe will touch the rotor and begin to squeak all the time, getting worse as the pad thins out more. Whether or not the squeal is from the pad being too thin or there being foreign material stuck in the pad, if it continues, it looks like you will have to change the pads and resurface the rotors. If it's possible, do the end of the car that is squealling. IE, do both fronts or both rears.

[gtg749m]

You indicate that there is "plenty of meat" left on the pads, however, looks can be deceiving. Check to see if the thickness sensor is touching the rotor. As the pad wears down to a pre-designated thickness, the sensor probe will touch the rotor and begin to squeak all the time, getting worse as the pad thins out more. Whether or not the squeal is from the pad being too thin or there being foreign material stuck in the pad, if it continues, it looks like you will have to change the pads and resurface the rotors. If it's possible, do the end of the car that is squealling. IE, do both fronts or both rears.

I just got done driving again in the rain today and the brake squeal is minimal to non-existing. you are referring to the sensor probe, would this not also make the brakes squeal even if it was raining?

[repiv]

I just got done driving again in the rain today and the brake squeal is minimal to non-existing. you are referring to the sensor probe, would this not also make the brakes squeal even if it was raining?
Maybe. Water can act like a lubricant and dampen the squeal. I'm talking about that chrome protrusion on the pad in the following picture. It's shaped the way it is to act like a tuning fork. On the side that points against the rotor, when the pad material gets to a certain thickness, that chrome thing scrapes the rotor and vibrates the piece you see. Water can dampen that vibration.

http://inlinethumb41.webshots.com/44008/2830179130025981935S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2830179130025981935gNedpg)