my 93 festiva brakes squeal, help!!

[jett20]

Ive have just recently bought a ford festiva and ive noticed that sometimes when im driving the brakes (i think in the front left) squeal as i drive. I can make the noise stop sometimes by pressing the brake down hard and letting go, then hopefully it shuts up for a bit. any ideas on what ill need replacing??
thanks

[Pu241]

Pull the front wheels off and check the thickness of the brake pads.
If you've wore throught the brake material your grinding up your rotors and replaceing those are much more costly than replaceing brake pads!
P.S. add your location to your profile via the User CP tab in the blue bar above.

[GenevaDirt]

probably just reaching the sensor on the pad telling you it is time to change the brakes.

[FestYboy]

^^^ yup, those are designed to make noise when you are NOT on the brakes and quiet up when on the brakes. i'd say time for new pads, NOW.

[jett20]

thanks, ill check em out.

[jett20]

thanks all, replaced my pads today and all sounds are now gone. I now get the sensor bit, they were so worn. lol. im impressed they worked at all.

[Pu241]

jett20, thanks for reporting back!
We don't often find out if the cause was found!
You may want to check the rear shoes as well, they don't wear as fast as the fronts but who knows when they were last replaced.
This will also give you the opportunity to ensure your bearings are properly torqued so they don't fail prematurely.

[GenevaDirt]

while checking the back you can also make sure the emergency brake linkage is all free and working properly

[jett20]

sounds like an idea, ill might do that when i get paid next. lol. thanks for ur help