Brake squeals that go away with light application of the brakes usually are at the front wheels. It is normal operation for the pads to rub lightly. The squealing is due to the pads vibrating due to variations in the friction surface and possibly too  much clearance between the pads and carriers where they sit. The variations can be from warped rotors, loose bearings, or just simply the rotor surface is glazed over from the way the brakes are used and the choice of pad materials. The calipers can also be binding causing the brakes to drag excessively which will heat things up and glaze the surface over.  Choice of brake pad material for the vanagon seems critical. You need a pad hard enough to keep the rotors clean (yes wear them out some), yet soft enough to readily create friction so you can stop when needed.  A person that really knows brakes should be able to figure out what is happening. 

BTW to further diagnose front or rear just use the handbrake to work the rears. If pulling the lever changes the noise the problem is back there. 

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Gordon Mah
Sent: Tuesday, November 1, 2016 5:26 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Squeaky breaks?

My mechanic says I may have cheap break shoes that may cause the squeal.  It is a rotating squeal in time with the speed of my Westy.  He says my breaks are fine and not due for repair.  It is hard to pinpoint a high pitched sound while driving so I don't know if they're from the front or rear wheels.  Another clue:  while driving, if I lightly press on my break pedal the squeal goes away.

I have a 98 Westy and am audibly annoyed.  Any ideas of where to look?  Maybe a second opinion?  THANKS.
-g