Help! My new brakes won't stop squealing!!! SOLVED: bad rotors

So for the past month, I have been plagued by horrible loud squealing brakes, but thing is they are brand new (both rotors and pads).

There were no noises with the old rotors and pads, but both were way past their prime and had to be replaced. I got ATE PremiumOne rotors (the ones with the circular grooves) and some cheap semi-metallic pads I got from Rock Auto when I ordered a whole bunch of other stuff. When I put it all together, it squealed, I waited a week and it still squealed.

I figured it was maybe the cheap pads so I got some decent Wagner ceramic pads, and they were good for about a day and then they started squealing EVEN WORSE. This past weekend, I took it all apart, cleaned everything, tightened the retainer clips, lubed the channels and put some Permatex brake quiet on the backs of all the pads, reassembled and guess what?? It still squeals!! (but not quite as bad).

I am starting to loose my mind with these brakes, the only constant through all this so far has been those rotors so I am considering picking up a set of cheap, smooth surface rotors and trying them out on the theory that there is just something that these rotors are doing to the harmonics of the system that can't be remedied.

Any suggestions before I go do that?

First thing I'd check is that the rotor isn't touching the backing plate somewhere. Depending on the amount of contact, that can also make a squealing noise.

I've had a few backing plates start to make contact with rotors due to corrosion. Given where you live, (hi, rust belt co-resident!) it could be an issue.

Also - post up a garage page for more context with every post:
Garage empty: add car

Turns out the expensive ATE rotors I bought were defective. I bough cheap certified rotors, installed them and there is no squal now, not even a peep from them.

Thankfully Canadian Tire took back the two ATE rotors I had in for two months.

Also amazing for where I am, the backing plates are in excellent condition.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MetroMPG

First thing I'd check is that the rotor isn't touching the backing plate somewhere. Depending on the amount of contact, that can also make a squealing noise.

I've had a few backing plates start to make contact with rotors due to corrosion. Given where you live, (hi, rust belt co-resident!) it could be an issue.

Also - post up a garage page for more context with every post:
Garage empty: add car

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Can you squeal like a pig? I don't live that far from where they made Deliverance and there are few locals around you swear were extra's in the movie. They did use locals in the movie. I was temped to post that scene from the movie and good taste took over.

I am glad you got your brakes fixed.

Lucky you. The backing plates have been rusted on my last 2 beaters.

Glad to hear you solved the problem -- thanks for the update. I've always found Crappy Tire to be pretty good about returns.