I'm one of those people who's had squealing brakes since I had around 3000 miles on the car. I now have over 17000 miles. I've taken it in to the dealer, and they always claim they can't hear them squeal when they take it on a test drive. Whatever.

So, on a lark, I decided to email Mazda about it. I figured they'd just say, "We're sorry. We can't diagnose problems over the Internet. Please take your car to an authorized Mazda service center."

On the contrary, here is the pertinent part of their reply:

"In regard to your squealing brakes, Mazda is aware of this concern. This is currently under further investigation with our engineers in Japan, and we are expecting to have a resolution very soon. Please understand, although the squealing is annoying, it is not causing any damage to the vehicle. I certainly apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you."

So FWIW they acknowledged that it's happening on a lot of the cars, and they acknowledged that it's a "concern." Let's hope they come up with a solution before our warranties run out.

 

Everytime I was my car, I would spray the wheel area really well, after trying, it doesn't squeak anymore. It's the Brake dust for sure. So everytime it starts squeaking, it's time to get a car wash.

 

I've tried that. Doesn't work for me. Well, it works for about 35 miles and then the squealing is back.

 

My car is in shop for various things including the brake noise. If I get a fix I'll post for you.

 

Cleaning the pads did not work for me either.

I actually took them all off the car over the weekend, removed the dust by hand washing each pad and each shim, greased the shim plates and the pad backs and still had SQUEALING!

I hope this Mazda fix in the works come thru .........

rx8cited

 

..but why don't i have any problems with my vehiclle. mine was an early build (aug 2003) purchases oct 2003. i have no squelling brakes, high clutch whine, squeaking/creaking seats, hot/fluctuating air, gear grinding, thrust bearing noise, melted coils, etc... wtf? <---scarasm

seriously, no problems here. i really do look/listen for them. stereo off, windows down, let others drive my vehicle, nothing. 12k+ miles nothing. how can so many ppl have problems with their vehicles?

p.s- paint does chip easily and so does from window.

 

Your breaks just squeek during breaking?

I actually started experiencing a regular whistle coming from my breaks only when not breaking. I took the car in, the mechanic was easily able to duplicate the problem but couldn't find a cause, said he "lubed the break system" and the whistle went away.

Unfortunately, a few weeks later, my breaks have begun making excessive noise during breaking. No squeeking, but awfully rough sounding grab/grind noises. My whistle has come back but only after long high speed drives (I'm never on the freeway in day to day life, but on weekend trips I'll get it after 20 miles of 70mph after I slow down and make a right hand turn, still a great improvement from constantly getting it).

I'll be taking it in again as soon as I have time, but it doesn't sound like it's the same problem.

 

All brakes vibrate, it's only when that vibration ends up in the audible frequencies that we perceive it as "squealing". Annoying, but like they said, not really hurting anything. They just need to experiment to find the cheapest, most effective way to nudge the sound back out of the audible range.

 

Hurts nothing except out ears .

And I'm having a hard time getting past the embarrassing feeling of driving a 30k+ car that has squeally brakes.

rx8cited

 

No, it doesn't sound like the same problem. Mine just squeal during braking. And I don't really consider it a "problem" - just an annoyance. The brakes still work incredibly well. But, yeah, I'd love it if they came out with a fix.

 

Anyone try that spray on stuff for break squeel?

 

I always thought that high performance brake pads has a higher tendency to squeel. As with the Lancer Evolution forum, there were threads regarding the same issue which was attributed to the brake pad material. Same thing with brake dusts. So basically, if you want good braking, there are some things you should give up such as more noise and brake dust.. however, 2500 miles and no problems yet that's the manufacturer's fault.

 

I recently had my oil changed and while I was at the dealers I mentioned the squeling. They basically said the same thing that mazda said. However, they also said that other Mazda models are experiencing the same thing. I am assuming it is the 6 he was talking about. I sure hope a fix comes soon cause it sure is annoying...

-JiM

 

I just came from the mazda dealership yesterday for this problem, they called mazda directly. Mazda is aware of it and has new brake pads coming out some time next week.

 

Well what usually works is to slam on the brakes real hard (in a safe area of course with no traffic) and that stops squealing for a week usually for me.

 

mine still dont squeak/squeal. even with a load of dust on them. 9850 miles and counting....

 

Turn off your stereo, and listen, I'll bet they squeal, you just don't hear it.

My dealer's Service dept told me it was the REAR brakes sqealing and suggested pulling up on the E-Brake (gently) when driving every so often to elimiante the squeal. The service mgr said it was because the rear brakes do not get used as much.

I know 60% of braking is on the front on most cars, but it seems like maybe 70% or more on the RX-8 under normal braking.

Just as a goof, I tried pulling up on the E-brake a little (while driving, released it and DAMN, when I went to stop - NO SQUEAL.

I don't think it's the pads, I think it's in the proportioning of the brake system.

 

Do you go to Russell?

 

why don't ppl believe you when you tell them something. zoom 44 said his doesn't squeal, the next poster wants to bet him it does. I have had my friend drive my car, we even have it on video, i listen with the stereo off, no squeal. sorry urs squeals, but not everyones does. now however, my TIRES squeal (especially taking a 90 degree turn around 43+ mph).

 

No, I use Courtesy in Tampa. Russell is a ripoff, They did not even try to work with me on the purchase. I bought my 96 626 from them (before they were Russell), but Courtesy has the best prices.

So far I have purchased a 2000 Protege (my daughter's) and My GF has a 2000 Miata from Courtesy. Courtesy significantly beat the price on all 3 cars compared to Russell.

I will say the SERVICE at Russell always seemed to be good though.

 

It is strange that some people don't experience the squealing. Then again, some people say their A/C is great and some people get good gas mileage. I guess all we know is if Mazda is working on a solution, a large percentage must have squealing brakes.

 

Mine has no squealing either. But I don't have many miles on it yet.

How many miles were on your car when it started to make the noise? Maybe that will tell us more.

 

Not sure which one of us you're asking, Jason, but mine had around 3000 miles when I first started noticing it. It now has over 17000.

 

I have a squeak coming from either the suspension or rear wheels. Once the car is warmed up, when accelerating I can heard a faint squeak sound. Of course the local dealer does not hear it and dubs it "normal". Anyone else get a really faint squeaking sound under acceleration. It seems to only happen when I am accelerating. Anyone else have this issue?

 

I have light squeel only when mild breaking that I do not hear when my windows are up. If I break hard or real light I don't get it. Sounds like left front to me with both windows down. Have 7500 miles in 6 months.

Break squeel is somewhat normal for a disk break system. All mfgs. have fought this problem. It is like holding a ruler solid and hitting it. If you hold lightly no noise. Adding rubber backings and other things like shims all help to allow the break pad to move and not squeel. But these also tend to make a softer break feel. Using high temp. anti seize on all the none disk contact areas of the break pad and calipers helps and is what many shops do, but usually only last for a short while. The pad material definatly also affects the noise and dust. For a car like a RX8 is lack of break dust and noise more important than a good solid strong break?? I prefer the great feel and stopping power of the 8's breaks and don't worry about a little dust and noise.