Breaks always squeak when brake pedal is pressed and released

Maintenance/Repairs
1

Hey, everybody.

I’ve been having some brake issues with my 06 Scion Xa. Whenever I press and release my brake pedal, it squeaks. Not even exaggerating, it sometimes sounds like a clown horn. Whenever I release the e-brake, it squeaks.

I adjusted the drums, and within two days the sound came back. Perhaps I didn’t do a good job? I took it to the mechanic and explained the situation. When I picked it up, they told me they cleaned and adjusted the drums. Less than a week the sound came back.

What could it possibly be? I recently changed the drums, disk still has a lot of life left.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

2

Drum brakes rarely make noise. Did you change the shoes when you replaced the drums?

3

There are several places on the backing plate where the shoes rest against it. They may need a little smear of a grease like Sil-Glide.

4

I did not, could that be the issue?

5

Yes is very likely. The old shoes don’t quite fit the new drums. They need to wear-in to the new drum. New shoes would need this as well. The noises maynwell go away after a few miles.