squeeeeeeaaaaakk!

That's what we've been hearing from the brakes on our truck for the past, oh, 6,000 miles or so.

We've had it checked by the dealership at least four times (maybe five or six?), and they can't find anything wrong with them. Until today, we've been told "maybe they're dirty, maybe it's brake dust". Today, they even called to their headquarters in Tennessee to see if any other customers have reported this sort of issue (the front pads have 40%-50% left on them, rotors are in excellent condition, no obvious signs of trouble with the calipers or any other parts of the brake system). The advisor came back and said the nearest they can guess is that if we have a tendency to brake slowly for the most part, it could be causing the brakes to glaze which could be causing the squealing.

Other than that, there is nothing wrong with them that they could find.. They're not wearing unevenly or anything... For all intents and purposes, they're fine.

So our only choices are to live with the squealing, or to replace the brakes (which the guys at the dealership were hesitant to recommend since there is so much pad left... and considering how much money they stand to make if we replace them, I guess that says something about their integrity... either that or they're just dishing out the reverse psychology).

We've decided to replace them, at the cost of $200 plus tax (apparently the brake pads themselves for this truck cost $109... eesh!). And I'm holding that service director to that quote.. It's funny how costs can vary from dealership to dealership, even between dealers who sell the same cars (in this case, Saturns). At the dealership I took it today, on the opposite side of town from our house, the service advisor started quoting upwards of $260+, and he wasn't even finished calculating the costs when I said no way. The place by our house quoted $200 plus tax, so next Tuesday I'll be back there getting the brakes replaced.

I just hope replacing the pads, which will include having the rotors turned, will get rid of the squealing.

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