Squeaking when not applied is due to them rubbing against the rotors,
probably due to sticking calipers.  Noise means rubbing, rubbing means
friction, friction means heat; they 'cooked' and cracked due to excessive
amounts of heat.
  They need to be replaced and the calipers need to be de-rusted, cleaned
and lubed on the sliding surfaces (between the caliper and the carrier) or
the pins, depending on which style you have.
  They may need to be rebuilt or even replaced.  Brakes are nothing to skimp
on.
  If you aren't able to do the work, pay a professional to do it.  I
wouldn't recommend that you continue to drive the van until it's fixed
properly.  Your (and your family's) life depends on it.

Mike B.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Dave Yates" <transparu@GMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Tuesday, June 24, 2008 2:41 AM
Subject: Issue with brake pads

> I'm driving an '82 Vanagon downunder.
>
> In preparation for a longish trip I looked at the front brake pads.  They
> have been squeaking when not applied, almost since they went in maybe a
> year
> ago.
>
> There is loads of wear left on the pads but I found that the two I have
> looked at so far are cracked (the lining, not the steel backing).  The
> crack
> runs effectively radially when the pad is in the car.  It looks as if the
> crack could extend through the pad. Except for very badly worn pads, I
> don't
> think I have ever seen a pad cracked like this when it still has 80%+ of
> its
> life ahead of it.
>
> Has anyone had a similar experience?  Ay comments?
>
> Thanks
>
> dave
>
> PS I recently ordered a spare pad set when I bought parts from a US
> (Arizona) VW parts supplier.  I bought them partly because they were about
> 1/3 of the price of similar parts here.  When I received them, blow me
> down,
> they had been made in Australia!
>