Squeaky Brakes: Why it Happens and How to Fix it?
Posted on September 7, 2021
Is there anything more annoying than squeaky brakes? If you're like most people, you might find yourself wondering whether persistent whining is a sign of a serious problem or just a simple fix.
In our latest car maintenance tips entry, we'll explore why your brakes are squeaking and offer insights on how to fix them. If you're tired of the noise and want a quieter ride, keep reading to discover how to silence those noisy brakes for good.
Key Takeaways:
- Squeaky brakes can be caused by snow, rain, surface rust, dirt, or worn brake pads.
- If the squeaking stops after a few brake pedal presses, you may not need new brakes.
- Some brake pads have built-in wear indicators that squeak when it's time for a replacement.
- Warped rotors can lead to uneven wear and vibrations when braking.
- Fixing squeaky brakes might involve lubricating parts, adding brake pad shims, or replacing the rotors and pads.
- Brake pads can squeak due to damage, dust, moisture, or lack of lubrication.
What is Brake Squeal?
Brake squeal is the sound that comes from the vibration of your brake components. When you press the brake pedal, the calipers squeeze the brake pads against the rotors, creating friction to slow the car.
Because the brake pads are very close to the rotors, there's a lot of pressure and friction, which can cause vibrations that make a squealing noise.
This noise can happen with both new and old brakes and doesn't always mean something is wrong. Sometimes, it's just an annoying sound.
However, other times, it can be a sign of more serious issues that need attention. You need to understand the cause of the squeal to know if it's just a nuisance or a warning sign.
Why Are My Brakes Squeaking?
Most of the time, brake squeaking is caused by vibrations between the brake disc, caliper, and brake pad. This can happen due to minor inaccuracies in the brake system.
Sometimes, these noises resolve themselves with repeated use. However, other times, the squeak persists due to more significant issues that won’t go away on their own.
Brake squeaking can be caused by several things. Moisture, dust, or small debris like rocks can get stuck between the pad and rotor, often fixed by a quick clean-up. Rust on rotors, especially if parked outdoors, can also cause squealing as the rust gets scraped off when you start driving.
Thinning brake pads can make a grinding or loud shrill sound, indicating it's time to replace them to avoid rotor damage. Low-quality brake pads with high metal content can cause squeaking too, so using high-quality pads designed for your vehicle can help prevent this noise.
What Causes Squeaky Brakes?
Here are some common reasons why your brakes might be squealing:
1. Damaged or Thinning Brake Pads
The most common cause of brake squealing is damaged or worn brake pads. They have a metal piece that squeaks when the pads wear down. Rust on the pads can also cause squeaking, but this usually goes away after a few brake applications. If the noise persists, get your brakes inspected immediately.
2. Dust or Dirt Between the Rotors and Pads
Dust or dirt between the rotors and pads can cause squealing. This debris can build up from driving conditions or if your vehicle sits unused for a while. Cleaning the surface with a brake cleaner or simply using the brakes a few times can often resolve the issue by removing the debris.
3. Excessive Overnight Moisture
If your brakes squeak when you first drive after a night, it might be due to moisture from snow, rain, or humidity. This moisture can cause a thin layer of rust to form on the brakes, leading to squeaking or grinding sounds. Typically, regular driving will clear this rust.
4. Lack of Lubrication
For vehicles with drum brakes, squeaking can occur if there's not enough lubrication where the drum and shoes meet. Without lubrication, the drum shoes can scrape against the backing plate, creating a squeaking sound.
5. Worn Brake Pads
Brake pads often have built-in wear indicators that signal when it's time to replace them. When the pads are nearly worn out, the indicator contacts the rotor and produces a loud squeal every time you brake. If you hear this noise, it means your pads have about 1/8-1/4” of material left and need to be replaced.
6. Worn and Damaged Hardware
Worn or damaged brake hardware, especially the pad clips, is often overlooked during brake jobs. These clips, which are sometimes included with new pads, help secure the pads and reduce vibrations. Over time, the clips lose their tension, causing squeaking noises when you brake.
7. Poor Installation
Using cheap parts or improper installation can lead to components rubbing together in the wrong places, resulting in squeaking or squealing noises. A frequent issue is hardware that’s not installed correctly, which may contact rotating parts like the rotor and cause a constant squeak.
How to Fix Squeaky Brakes
If your brakes are squeaking, worn brake pads are often the main culprit. But if your pads are still in good shape, you can try these solutions:
1. Lubricate the Brake Pads
New brake pads can sometimes squeak, which might be fixed with some lubrication. Remove the brake pads and apply brake lubricant to the back of the pads (not the friction side). Avoid getting any lubricant on the rotor or friction surface, as this can reduce braking performance.
2. Install Brake Pad Shims
Brake pad shims can help reduce noise by cushioning the brake pads and taking up any space that allows movement. If your pads don’t already have shims, you can add them to minimize squeaking.
3. Replace Rotors and Pads
As brakes wear out, the pads and rotors can become damaged. Worn pads may cause squealing as they get too thin and begin to rub against the rotors. Bent rotors can also lead to uneven contact and noise. Check your brake pad thickness and rotor condition.
If the pads have less than 3/8” of friction material left, or if you notice deep grooves or bulges on the rotor, it’s time to replace them for safe driving.
Step-by-step On How to Change Brake Pads
To fix squeaky brakes, follow these simple steps:
- Loosen Lug Nuts: Use a tire iron to loosen the lug nuts before lifting the car.
- Lift the Vehicle: Raise the car with a jack and secure it with jack stands. Remove the wheel.
- Remove the Caliper: Unscrew the caliper bolts with a socket wrench. Support the caliper without letting it hang.
- Replace Brake Pads: Remove old brake pads and inspect the rotor for damage. Clean the rotor if it’s in good condition.
- Lubricate: Apply anti-seize lubricant to the brake pad contact points and back of the pads.
- Reinstall: Put the new brake pads in place, reattach the caliper, and put the wheel back on.
Following these steps will help you achieve quieter, smoother braking.
Are Squeaky Brakes Bad?
If your brakes are squeaking, you might wonder if it’s a serious issue. The short answer: it could be.
A metal-on-metal sound usually indicates that the brake pads are worn down too far, and the metal backing plate is grinding against the rotor. This can be a sign of significant brake wear and may affect your safety. It could also lead to costly repairs, so addressing it sooner is better.
Signs of potential problems include:
- Vibration in the steering wheel while braking
- Pulling to one side when driving
- Loud brake shaking
The thing to remember with any abnormal noise coming from your car is that it may be nothing or it may be your car trying to tell you something. It’s always best to listen to what your car is trying to say, it could be something important.
What, you don’t speak car? That’s ok, we do! Our CarHub certified technicians are well-versed in the language of cars. Let us do the translating for you. Regular car maintenance is always recommended to prevent problems before they can start!
Get Your Brakes Serviced at CarHub
If you’d rather leave the brake pad changes to the experts, visit CarHub. You can schedule an appointment online or call us directly. Our technicians will quickly get your brakes back in top shape.
We also offer special auto services and helpful DIY maintenance guides, like how to change your engine air filter and maintain tire condition. Contact us today for all your brake service needs!