Vectra squeaking

I have a chronic problem with my vectra 2.0, R reg, one that has survived
several visits to the garage.

When I go around a corner or roundabout, I get a "brake squeal" noise. Like
the noise you get on your front pads when you have no anti chatter plates.
It sometimes goes away if I lift the handbrake lever slightly, so I assume
it is on the rear wheels, and the brake shoes either dampen the noise, or
are causing it.

Garage number 1 have replaced the pads on the disks (said there was a
hairline crack on the pads showing the pad was breaking away from the metal
back, and would cause squeal): No effect.

Garage number2 have checked the bearings, and find no play (I always thought
it sounded like dry bearings, and the cornering thing sort of re-enforced
the idea). Says he has never heard of squeaky bearings. (car is at about
60,000 miles)

Garage number2 have had the rear breaks stripped down so the handbrake shoes
could be looked at. They look new, and there was some brake dust needed
cleaning out: Squeak went away for 4 days.

Took the car back, saying it still did it, and he is either out of ideas, or
fobbing me off, but says loads of vectras do it, and he cant do anything
about it, it is brake dust (from the handbrake? get real)

Does anyone have any clues?

Thanks

Bob

 

are you sure it IS the brakes??
why can't it be the steering rack/boots rubbing?
very common.

mike

 

Does that sound like brake squeal? It seems so oscilate faster with a
higher speed.

Also, I would have thought it was on the rear of the car, since the
handbrake affects the noise.

Bob

 

brake shoes, and solved the problem. I also found that lightly applying the
hand brake would stop the squeal.

 

Had a similar problem with my 2.0 cavalier, ended up changing the park

The mechanic says the handbrake shoes look new, did yours? I am sure he
would jump at the chance to sell me some new ones.

Bob

 

not worn out. I wonder if they were just setting up a resonance frequency by
lightly touching the drum, especially as they only squealed around bends. I
didn't think changing the shoes would make much difference, but the act of
stripping down the assemblies and readjusting on fitment obviously removed
the cause of the sound. I did this 6 months ago and the noise has not
returned. Its worth a go, the shoes are cheap and its a reasonable job to do
at home if your inclined.

Dave

 

Well, they stripped the whole thing down, blew the dust out, adjusted the
handbrake, and it went away for 3-4 days. Don't know if changing the pads
would fix it.

Bob