Brake Question

[blue-sun]

My car has 52K on it with the original rotors/pads. I live out in the country, a trip to the store is 5-10 mile round trip usually and my daily work commute is over 50 miles round trip at highway speeds. I have maybe 6-7 stoplights between work/home.

Recently, when cold and at very low speeds I've noticed that teh brakes squeal a bit.

Last night, I ran out for gas and to the store real quick and I noticed that my brake pedal feels really stiff. I checked 3 out of the 4 wheels and all the pads seem to have at least 1/4 inch+ left of pad left (couldn't check front pass side due to space constraints in the garage with the garbad cans and snow blower)

I plan on pulling the wheels off tonight to make sure and I'm gonna inspect the lines and resivouir

Thoughts on what the problem could be? My first thought was the pads, but honestly they don't look low to me. Air in the line maybe? Thoughts?

 

[VermZ06]

My car has 52K on it with the original rotors/pads. I live out in the country, a trip to the store is 5-10 mile round trip usually and my daily work commute is over 50 miles round trip at highway speeds. I have maybe 6-7 stoplights between work/home.

Recently, when cold and at very low speeds I've noticed that teh brakes squeal a bit.

Last night, I ran out for gas and to the store real quick and I noticed that my brake pedal feels really stiff. I checked 3 out of the 4 wheels and all the pads seem to have at least 1/4 inch+ left of pad left (couldn't check front pass side due to space constraints in the garage with the garbad cans and snow blower)

I plan on pulling the wheels off tonight to make sure and I'm gonna inspect the lines and resivouir

Thoughts on what the problem could be? My first thought was the pads, but honestly they don't look low to me. Air in the line maybe? Thoughts?

My brakes started to squeal when the pads got low. Especially in colder weather. I replaced the fronts and the squealing rarely happens and only in sub-freezing temps. Brake pedal tends to feel very sluggish in the cold weather too. Takes some time to warm up for me.

When replaced my fronts at 54,000 miles and they were pretty much shot and even if you have 1/4 left on your pads, I'd say it's time to change them anyway. Once you put new pads and rotors on there I think you'll be ok...just my opinion of course.