Taking good care of your brakes is vital, but it’s not always easy to tell when your brakes are in need of repair or replacement. If your brakes are squeaking a lot, you might be tempted to write it off as nothing more than an annoying feature that doesn’t really need any attention – but this isn’t always the case.
Why do my brakes squeak?
There are lots of reasons why your brakes might be squeaking more than usual, and not all of them are dangerous. However, it’s important to be aware of the most common reasons for squeaky brakes so you can assess which is the likeliest cause in your situation and determine what can be done to rectify the issue.
New brake pads
Sometimes, brakes can have a tendency to squeal and screech when they’re new. This is because the new brake pads aren’t worn down at all yet, so when you apply the brakes, the discs are pressing against the shiny new surface of the brake pads, causing that squeaking noise. This is a natural thing that will ease with time as your new brakes start to wear down – so you don’t need to worry about it.
Worn or thinning brake pads
Just as your brake pads can be squeaky at the beginning of their lifetime, this can also occur when it’s time to replace them. Most brake pads have a small metal feature built in under the pad material to act as an indicator to let you know you need to get a replacement. Once the pads have worn down, the brake discs will be pressed against the metal indicator, making a squeaking sound you’re unlikely to miss.
Glazing
In this instance, we’re not talking about your choice of windows, but a consequence of certain braking styles. When you brake hard and fast, especially when driving at high speeds, this generates a lot of heat within your braking system due to the excessive friction needed to stop the car. This heats up the surface of your brake pads, creating a hard, smooth sheen known as a glaze. Glazing can also occur in this way if you have a tendency to ride the brakes downhill.
Unfortunately, there’s another way brake glazing can happen, and this type typically happens without the driver noticing. A fault in the brake calipers can cause the discs to press against the brake pads even when the brake isn’t actively engaged, causing excess friction.
You can check your brake pads for glazing by running your finger over the surface. If it’s hard and smooth, you’ll need to get new brake pads or risk the old ones splitting and cracking. At the same time, it’s a good idea to get the calipers and discs checked for damage at a garage – such as with our brake check service.
Overnight moisture
If you notice the squeaking sound first thing in the morning, but it goes away after a while as you drive, it could be the result of parking your car somewhere it’s exposed to the elements overnight. Whether your part of the world is rainy, snowy or even just humid, parking outdoors can sometimes lead to a thin layer of rust settling on your brake discs and pads overnight. The debris then causes a screeching or grinding sound as you apply the brakes.
As mentioned, this usually eases as the rust is displaced through normal driving, but if you want to avoid the problem in the first place, it may be an idea to park your car somewhere more sheltered, such as in a garage.
Dust or dirt between pads and discs
Just as rust can interfere with the noises your brakes make, so can other forms of debris such as dust, dirt and mud. Depending on how much debris there is, there are various methods to rectify this situation.
In some cases, if there’s only a little debris and it’s easily shifted, it may be displaced as you drive – in which case your only action is to consider how you might prevent the situation from reoccurring.
However, if the problem persists, you may need to spray your brake pads with a cleaner or give them a quick sand in order to get rid of the debris – and that pesky squealing.
Metallic brake pads
Surprisingly, it’s possible that the squeaking isn’t caused by a fault at all, but by the material your brake pads are made of. There are three options for brake pad materials: ceramic, organic and semi-metallic. Of the three, semi-metallic brake pads are the most common, and as the name suggests, these are partially made up of metallic elements.
These can cause squeaking in much the same way as the metal wear indicators we mentioned earlier. Occasionally, when your brake pads wear down to a part that has a higher than average metal content, the metal can rub against the discs and cause the squeaking noise. Usually, the noise eases once the pad has worn past that particularly metallic section. This doesn’t typically take long, but if the squeaking bothers you when it occurs, the best way to avoid it is to try a different brake pad material.
Drum brakes lacking lubrication
Finally, squeaking brakes may be caused by your drum brakes lacking the lubrication they need to operate smoothly. Without sufficient grease, the shoes and drum tend to grind against each other, causing the squealing sound. Rectifying this is as simple as replenishing the grease levels at the contact points of your brakes – but if it happens too much, your brakes will be damaged and you may need to have them replaced.
How to stop squeaky brakes
It’s plain to see that your brakes are an integral part of your car’s operation, and damage to your brakes can have dangerous consequences if left unchecked. Squeaky brakes are a key sign you should check your brakes, and if you’re at all uncertain about the cause of the noise, it’s a good idea to get a professional to take a look at your braking system. We offer brake checks at all our locations – just find your nearest branch and get in touch to get started.
Another thing you can do to keep an eye on the condition of your brakes is to book regular car servicing. Your mechanic will be able to report on the condition of your brake system and this can highlight problems ahead of time – before they get bad enough to cause a serious hazard on the road.