Brakes on a 1981

[simple]

Hi had the front discs and pads replaced last summer, my mechanic said the back drums and shoes were good. Recently developed a squeal at crawling speeds. Seems like the brakes are binding a bit, my mot is up 17th and can't get van into the garage to have him look. Like all good mechanics he's booked for 5 weeks solid. Need it to pass, any suggestions or tips to check whether the brakes would pass the mot. It stops like a stoppy thing ok.

[Dubstar]

Is it the fronts squeeling when pressing the brakes lightly? If it is, it could need a dab of copper grease on the BACK of the brake pads and anti squeel shims. I would also see if the front calipers aren't a little siezed up. Free them off by pulling the rubber seel back a little and spraying in some WD40 with the aid of a straw. Push the calipers in and out a few times to free them off if they are a little stiff, and don't forget to clean off any slippy stuff off the pad faces or discs.

[simple]

Will have a go at weekend, most of the squealing seems to be coming from the rear n/s.

[Nicola&Tony]

most of the squealing seems to be coming from the rear n/s.

Maybe the shoes aren't releasing from the drum properly (and you don't hear the squeal over the engine / road noise as your speed increases)? Handbrake is working ok? Is there another reliable garage that could do a brake service before your mot date?

Is the squeal definitely coming from the brakes and not a belt that's slipping because it needs tensioning? (Could be showing my ignorance here though . . . do Aircooled engines have any belts? I know nowt about Aircooled and only a little bit about water cooled!)

Tony

[meggles]

most of the squealing seems to be coming from the rear n/s.

Maybe the shoes aren't releasing from the drum properly (and you don't hear the squeal over the engine / road noise as your speed increases)? Handbrake is working ok? Is there another reliable garage that could do a brake service before your mot date?

Is the squeal definitely coming from the brakes and not a belt that's slipping because it needs tensioning? (Could be showing my ignorance here though . . . do Aircooled engines have any belts? I know nowt about Aircooled and only a little bit about water cooled!)

Tony

Yeah Tony, we have a fan belt. And the belt that hold's mi pants up

[simple]

Thanks for the replies guys, it's deffo brakes, will do things suggested at weekend. The van's knocking at the back now (bless her). Looking at the forum seems to be driveshaft cv joints n stuff so that will need a look at. If I haven't time to fix will pack with grease to stop the noise

[Nicola&Tony]

And the belt that hold's mi pants up

Phew!! How's the tension on that one? A bit tight after a few pints and a curry maybe?!

Tony

[meggles]

And the belt that hold's mi pants up

Phew!! How's the tension on that one? A bit tight after a few pints and a curry maybe?!

Tony

Don't do curry, good old John smiths is OK though. Then it's slacken the belt time!