[ProDigit]

Hey guys,

So, my front brakes on my 2011 Chevy Cruze Eco were squeaking really bad at ~55k miles (the stockers).
So, I decided to swap them out, and replace with semi metallic ones.
The stock ones still had about 1/3rd left on them!
The new ones work great!

The rear brakes started squeaking just a bit after I changed the fronts, and for about 8k miles, it only got worse.
Last week, the area around me got flooded in a rain storm.
The car was dry, but I had to drive through puddles of water about 1ft deep going to work.
After that, the rear brakes stopped squeaking.
They seem to brake just fine.
From what I heard, they should have more than enough padding on them, if the front ones still had 1/3rd on them.

What could have been the reason, that water stopped the squeak?

 

[mikestony]

I would venture to say the water washed out some of the trapped brake dust that was causing the squeek? I would recommend pulling the drums off just to be sure though

 

[Dngrsone]

Brakes squeak because the pads/shoes and the braking surfaces are polished "mirror images"of each other. Likely the reason your drums stopped squeaking is because the water caused a little corrosion on the braking surface, roughing it up a bit. Likely, the squeak will return once the rust is polished away.

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[ProDigit]

Well, after driving through a 1-2ft puddle (about the height of the door), the rear brakes haven't made any sound anymore since..


I think we can make this an official remedy to remove brake squeek (as long as the brakeshoes still have some brake materials on them)

 

[jblackburn]

Drum brakes need to be cleaned occasionally. Especially the RR one on the Cruze.

A can of brake cleaner and 30 mins of your time will do it in the future.

 

[ProDigit]

.. or riding through a puddle of water

 

[ProDigit]

Ok, the puddle of water seemed to have worn off.
Break cleaner, and any other suggestions on how to maintain rear drum brakes of the Cruze? (not planning on changing the shoes, unless needed)!

I also did a few reversing, and pulling the handbrake, to have the rear brake pads re-adjusted, however, it still doesn't grip until well after halfway point.

 

[Blasirl]

[h=1]How to Adjust Rear Drum Brakes[/h]

 

[ProDigit]

I don't think I need to adjust it, since it's auto adjusting (drive in reverse, then pump the handbrake a few times),
But it does give a good idea on how to remove the wheel hub, and see inside.

I'm more thinking if something needs lubricating?
The front brakes were squeaking (according to what I read), because of the metal springs holding the brake pads in place.
If I had known, I could have just purchased the brake pad hardware (springs), and installed those, and use the stock brake pads.

 

[jblackburn]

I don't think I need to adjust it, since it's auto adjusting (drive in reverse, then pump the handbrake a few times),
But it does give a good idea on how to remove the wheel hub, and see inside.

I'm more thinking if something needs lubricating?
The front brakes were squeaking (according to what I read), because of the metal springs holding the brake pads in place.
If I had known, I could have just purchased the brake pad hardware (springs), and installed those, and use the stock brake pads.

Get some brake cleaner and go to town on the inside of the drums. All the buildup there is causing your squealing.

They are supposed to self adjust but it doesn't work (well) on the Cruze. It could probably use some adjustment.

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