I put some new brake shoes on my Focus Estate a couple of weeks ago but realised I had ran out of copper grease! In the end I had to put it all back together using a substitue (some general grease) as I had no other way of getting some.

Obviously after about a week they have started squeaking when braking.

Put some grease on yesterday (got it everywhere on the 6 tabs, on the cylinder ends, pretty much everywhere there was contact).

Went out all night last night and it was fine for a few hours then started squeaking again!

Also the handbrake seems to be pointless, even though it does hold the car on a flat surface it wont on the slightest incline!

Brakes were built back up properly and the adjusters were wound back and I heard them adjusting when I presed the pedal (with the engine running)

Anyone any ideas how I can stop this squeaking, its not too bad but enough to annoy me!

 

Have you checked that both pads in each caliper are perfectly flat against the disc both at rest and with pressure?

 

Commom fault for the rear brakes to squeal.

 

They are drums hence why I said shoes mate

Ah okay, any resolution for it? Im guessing its somthing ive done as they were silent before I put new shoes in (not that there was any brake material left at all).

 

DOH! Right now I have my eyes in the right way around...

Have you tried chamfering the leading edge of the shoes?

 

I have a habit of doing that so yes its been done

Its literally every now and then, hasnt done it this afternoon not once!

More to the point why is the handbrake cable getting pulled up pretty stiff but with some effort I can move the car! It used to feel like it was 'stretching' now its solid when I pull it! Which is better but still doesnt work properly.

 

I just sand the edge of the shoe material and that seems to stop the noise.

I have done this on mine and the wifes focus.

 

How many miles have the new shoes done now since you initially fitted them and what was the condition of the inside of the drum faces?

 

Might have to do it again, might not of done it enough.

Just one of the drums is a pain in the arse to get off and the wheel bearings not too good anyway.

 

Is there a lip on the drum???Get a grinder and grind the lip off.put a set of rear bearings on too.There easy enough to do.

 

pop handbrake on before stopping might help to bed them in if the drum is worn.
this is a problem the bm's suffer with as the shoes only get use for handbrake and as such build up with crap, might help on the focus.

 

Cheers for the replys, the drums are actually in really good nic (on the inside). Had one bearing done the other will be done soon.

The original shoes were missing chunks out of them, how the drums seems to be okay I dont know! The new shoes have done about 300 miles so far. But I havent used the handbrake as it was sticking badly which is down to the guides in the rear axle being badly warn and 'sticking'

I think driving a bit with the hand brake on might make it work.

 

Just turn the radio up...