Front disc brake noise

I have three Chrysler T&C vans 1997, 2001, 2002 with mileages of
225,000 63,000 and 85,000 miles on them respectively. We've owned the
97 and 02 since new and the 01 for three months and about 12,000 miles.
All three are making a grinding feel with some noise when you come to a
stop under normal braking conditions and none under hard braking. It
feels exactly like metal to metal, but when I do an inspection all
three have at least 50% of the pad remaining and smooth wear on the
disc's. I suspected harmonic wear but I see no evidence of it, nor do I
see any other reason for this condition. Each of the three vans have
had the brakes serviced by different shops, so it's unlikely that they
have pads from the same supplier. Can anyone offer a suggestion? Thanks!

 

If you are using (and most after markets do) cheap pads with a high content
of metal in them you will get such a noise especially on cold damp mornings.

If the pads that you have on them now do not have a beveled edge this will
cause a high pitch squeal when coming to a slow stop.

Glenn Beasley
Chrysler Tech

 

Yes. They're all running semi-metallic pads or ceramic pads.

 

and if the tech who worked on them did not clean and lube the caliper slides
then the pads will not retract from the rotor and a friction noise will result