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elhajj33's avatar
elhajj33
Explorer
May 08, 2017

Brake Squeal at 35mph gets louder as I slow down

I'll be the first to say this is odd. I have 2009 Fleetwood Excursion DP with about 20K miles on it.

I have air drum brakes that have been getting progressively louder over the last few months. The coach brakes perfectly fine - no issues there. But, starting at 35mph the brakes start to squeal. The squeal gets louder as I come to a stop. It's not a mildly annoying whine, it's a loud squeak.

The coach is on a freightliner xcm power bridge chassis and I can't believe it needs brakes at only 20,000 miles (even though we've been up and down mountains quite a bit).

I have tried turning the wheels and spraying the brakes. That seems to work, but only for about an hour or so. After that: squeal is back.

Any thoughts?
  • There is a small metal clip on the pads that comes in contact with the rotor before the pads are gone. This tells you to go get new pads on before you take your rotors out. Pretty sure this is what you are hearing.
    Brian
  • sounds like a trip to the mechanic is in order. I've replaced pads and rotors on a van, but those wheels don't weigh five-million lbs.

    There goes a grand ugh...
  • You may have an obstruction in a rubber flex line or a dented steel brake line that is not allowing your brake shoes to fully retract.
  • Metal on metal. Your brakes are either worn out, (best guess) or rusted drums from non use.