Reasons Why Your Car’s Brakes May Be Squeaking

When your car starts making unusual sounds, it’s always cause for alarm—even if you think your car is old and “always sounds like that.” Some of the most common sounds you might hear are your brakes being noisy or squeaking. The problem could be no big deal, or it could be quite serious—it’s difficult to know without taking the vehicle to a mechanic. There are many reasons brakes get noisy or squeak. Read on to find out the most common causes.

Minor issues

You might assume when your car’s brakes are squeaking that it’s a big deal and that you need to replace the brakes or make major repairs. Luckily, that’s not always the case. There are several less serious issues, including:

• Debris, sand, dust and contaminants
• Carrying heavy loads
• Strain due to long, downhill, steep drives
• Snow, rain or other inclement weather conditions like extreme cold

Major issues

There are also reasons brakes get noisy or squeak that do indicate that repairs or replacement is necessary. Why this happens could include any of the following:

• Braking too hard: In some cases, you need to slam the brakes to prevent an accident. But if you’re a driver who slams on the brakes regularly, then it could result in damage to the brakes. This could mean that your brake pads will wear out quickly.
• Worn-out brake pads: Especially on an older vehicle, a consistent squeaking sound is often an indication that the car’s brake pads are wearing down. This means that the rotors are being damaged. This is a case where you will need significant repairs or replacement.
• Brake rotor rust: All brake rotors lose their smoothness in the long run, which is a common cause of squeaking brakes. Fortunately, a mechanic can scrape off the excess rust or dirt, assuming the problem isn’t too severe.

Solutions for squeaking brakes

Squeaking brakes are annoying to deal with, but (unlike some car problems) they are easy to resolve. If the squeaking is the result of carrying heavy loads or frequently braking, managing your driving will prevent future problems.

Your mechanic may also add lubricant or brake grease. Just like with a squeaking door, lubricant can eliminate that irritating squeaking sound. Another possibility is anti-squeal adhesive or damper pads to resolve the problem. With this approach, a sticky film or fluid is applied where the brake pad is attached. Adding damper pads or this adhesive is intended to absorb the vibrations that result in brake noise.

There are also three main types of brake pads (semi-metallic, non-asbestos organic and ceramic), which each have varying stopping power and durability.

When your car’s brakes are squeaking, pay a visit to the experts at Auto Air & Heating, Inc. Our shop is equipped to tackle a full range of automotive needs. From front-end work to tires, brakes and transmission services to engine work and auto AC, we do it all. Get in touch with us to learn more, or stop by our shop today.

Categorised in: Brakes

This post was written by Writer