Just a few days ago I took all 4 tires off and cleaned my pads and rotors with EverWear gold brake parts cleaner (think that was it) and ever since then they've been jumping/hopping a little bit when I brake at low speeds, under 10mph. The brakes are almost brand new.
Also at low rolling speeds the rear end makes a kind of humming noise. Should I just try greasing up the bearings first?

The last thing I want is any kind of brake failure or to lose a bearing driving down the road. Any suggestions would be great.

 

try burning them in to give it a good surface. sounds like they are just locking up at slow speeds. go reasonably fast and then brake quickly, but let off before coming to a stop. try this a a couple of times

 

you should check the pads and make sure that there isn't any gunk built up on them. If so, you can use a scotchbrite pad with a few small passes to try and remove any glazed or built-up material. Depending on how aggressive you were with the spray cleaner, you may want to go in and check the bearings and see if they need to be repacked.

 

I tried burning them and that worked and they aren't skipping any more but I'm still getting that low hum from the rear end. I went crazy with the brake cleaner so I guess I'll need to repack those bearings.

 

Just throwing this out there as a thought: When it when it's "jumping/hopping" as if the ABS (if applicable, no year stated) is active, pedal pulsation?

 

02 WJ. No there was no pulsation. Pedal stayed constant

 

hmmmm.... my thought was maybe you inadvertantly created a film on the sensor pickup causing a wacko reading or two.

Years ago you didn't want to get "cleaner" in excess on the pads. What kind of pads are you using (not brand, composition).

 

ceramic pads

 

I think I've deleted the braking issue though. Now it's time to asses these wheel bearings

 

yep, and don't wait to check / repack them. Those are a major safety issue if they fail, and tend to make it a pricey repair when they go.

 

Alright guys thanks for your help. I went and got full synthetic valvoline packing grease and when I went to take the rear pass tire off the lugs were barely hand tight and one was completely stripped and almost off so I got a new lug and tightened em all down and that solved that hum I guess it's good I checked! I held onto that packing grease and I'm going to do all four bearings tomorrow anyway