Squeaky Car Brakes – Things You Should Know
As you may know, brakes are a very important aspect of your vehicle. It’s a must to work properly all the time, otherwise, it’s risky not only for you but for all drivers on the road. Most car brakes consist of a cast-iron disc, callipers, and brake pads on each wheel, so when you hit the brake pedal, the pressure causes the brake pads to clamp down on the iron disc which makes your car stop. Maintaining your brake system prevents potential accidents and unwanted squeaky noises. One of the indicators of improper brake system maintenance is the brakes squeaking.
So what causes squeaky brаkеs?
There are several reasons to hear a squeaky noise:
- Unreliable and cheap brake pads
- Curved brake discs
- Worn brake pads
- Dusty, rusty and wet discs damaged by the weather conditions
- Loose parts
Unreliable and cheap brake pads
Most brake pads are usually made from several different materials such as steel, graphite, and brass all bonded with resin. Kevlar, glass and rubber are the organic materials also used in brake pads. You can recognize the bad brake pads when they have a much higher metal content.
Curved brake discs
A squeaky car brakes sound could also be the result of warped discs caused by vibration. When the clippers stick together, “brake glazing” occurs and it’s harmful because you can overheat the brake pads.
Worn brake pads are extremely thin and thus, dangerous. You’ll notice squeaking or squealing noise in this case.
Dusty, rusty and wet discs damaged by the weather factors
It’s not a secret that some audible noise from your brakes is normal when they are warming up, for example early in the morning when you just started your vehicle. When sitting overnight they could build-up some moisture or even a little layer of rust. Don’t worry, when you press the brake pedal, the pads are scrubbing that rusty material and that’s the reason why your brakes squeak when stopping slowly. If you notice a more significant amount of rust on your disc you can contact The Motor Company.
Loose parts
All the parts of your braking system are important. If any of them become loose there is a high chance to hear that annoying squeaky sound.
Brakes making noise when stopping
Every time when you hit the brake pedal can lead to your brakes squeaking. The overheating process of your brakes is called “brake fade” and it’s the reason behind brakes making noise when stopping. As a result, they’ll not work as they should. A faded brake will require much more effort of pushing the brake pedal to stop normally. Using the engine is one way to prevent unwanted noise. A lower gear will control the vehicle’s speed. In some cases, you should pull over the car and wait until your brakes cool down, otherwise, you are potentially in danger.
Another indicator of a faulty brake system is when you hear a grinding sound. It’s a metal-to-metal contact and it’s possible to damage your vehicle even more. The solution you are looking for is to replace your brake pads as quickly as possible, otherwise, it’s dangerous to drive and on the other side, the cost of other potential repairs could break your bank account. If you got squeaky car brakes you can visit our auto repair shop. The brake pads or shoes need to be replaced. When our mechanic does this he will also visually inspect the rotors or drums for signs of damage such as cracks, scoring and heat spots. A new set of brake pads will usually last from 30,000 to 70,000 miles range, all depending on driving style and the vehicle type. Having problems before reaching that range could simply mean that you don’t drive your car enough.
The brakes making noise when stopping could be caused by other reasons: for example badly warped rotors or drums. In that case, the brake pads make uneven contact with warped rotors. This can result in the brakes squeaking, typically pulsating brake pedal comes next and, in some cases, a vibrating steering wheel. Worn brake rotors could sound bad too. If they’re not flat that will make your brakes squeaking. Another overlooked step when you service your brake callipers is to lube them with a special brake calliper lube. This simple step also could prevent your brakes from making noise when stopping.