When I went to buy my tracker 2 weeks ago, the test drive had a LOUD squeal when I first used the brakes. Didn't occur after that first time, and limited inspection showed pads looked like they weren't worn badly, and the rotors weren't grooved. I figured it would need som investigation, but wasn't too concerned.

Since I've had it, I noticed the squel twice, but I've not been driving it much since it's been in the shop (lift, etc). Started think maybe it was something getting corroded, and working loose ... perhaps a wheel bearing, hub, ...

Last night I finally got to pulling the wheels ... I now know where the squeal is coming from

Funny thing is pads look reasonably new, and yet those clips are worn BAD. Book doesn;t show these clips and the irony is I think they are actually some sort of "anti-squeal" clips ... LOL

now THAT is funny!

Beats the time when I had some place do my rear brakes at one time (now I do them myself) but they put one of the springs on backwards, and it came off when we were wheeling. We limped home thinking it was something severely broken, but it was just the spring and the shoes flapping!


Eric will remember the second time it came off and it came off because it was extended from being on backwards the first time.

Fixing stupid crap like this is my favorite thing ... cost $0, and all of a sudden it doesn;t sound like a total POS when you hit the brakes ...

It look like the brakes are fairly new.  Those are anti-rattle clips.  They are supposed to stop the pads from clicking.  Looks like some dumb-a$$ installed them wrong.  You can get this blue goo from the auto parts store that does the same thing.  You sort of "glue" the pad to the caliper.

Cwkick