Well-maintained and functional brakes in a vehicle are crucial for the safety of passengers as well as others on the road. Therefore, you should always go for complete car maintenance on a regular basis. This will also help in identifying issues with brakes that can be fixed on time. However, if you are hearing brake squeal sound then you should take your car to the auto service center ahead of the regular maintenance schedule.
There are various factors that cause car brakes squealing. It is advised not to ignore the brake squeal sound and get it fixed as it may be an early sign of a problem that might get worse if not timely addressed. It’s imperative that a vehicle’s brakes work smoothly and efficiently.
To help you identify the problem we have compiled some of the possible causes of car brakes squealing. Let’s take a look:
REASONS BEHIND CAR BRAKES SQUEALING
MOISTURE
One of the causes of car brakes squeaking is moisture. Brakes stop making squealing noise after a few minutes of driving if they were squeaky due to moisture.
Brake rotors collect moisture when a car stays unused overnight in rainy or humid weather. Due to moisture, a thin layer of rust builds up on the rotors causing brakes to squeal. However, the layer isn’t deep settled and is removed when the rotor is on.
WORN OUT BRAKE PADS
Another reason behind car brakes squeaking is the worn-out brake pads. Squealing sounds is one of the signs of bad brake pads.
The brake pads in a vehicle wear out with the passage of time and must be replaced when before the rotor suffers damage. The squealing sound on the brake application is also an indication that it’s time to head to an auto service centre and get the brake pads replaced with a new one.
In case you don’t replace the brake pads on time, the sound will change to a grinding noise. That indicates that the rotor has been damaged.In such a scenario, you will then have to replace brake pads and rotors, both.
HIGH METAL CONTENT
Brake squealing could also be due to the brake pad material used. Some brake pads are made of 30-60 percent metal like copper, steel, iron and graphite. These brake pads are referred to as semi-metallic. When these brake pads rub against the rotor, they produce a squealing sound. However, the squealing sound will stop once they start wearing down a bit. But if the car brakes squealing sound bothers you, replace it with pads with less metal content.
You can opt for ceramic brake pads, as they last for a long duration comparatively and don’t produce much noise. And as the name applies, these are ceramic brake pads with very less metal content.
GLAZING
Hard glaze is formed on the brake pads surface when drivers apply fast and hard break repeatedly at high speeds. The glaze is usually formed when the brakes are used downhill due to constant friction. This friction increases the temperature producing a lot of heat that exceeds the level that brake pads can actually bear. The brakes squeal when hot due to glazing.
In some cases, glazed brakes can be fixed by a professional by sanding the pads and rotors to scrape off the glaze and fix the problem with callipers.
CARRYING HEAVY LOADS
When you drive a car with a heavy load, you’ll need to apply brakes with more pressure. You may hear a brake squeal sound. As discussed earlier, the brake squeal when hot. Thus, when a lot of force is applied to the brake, heat builds up and produce squealing sound. There could be other causes of car brake overheating, among which is one is carrying heavy loads.
LOOSE PARTS IN THE CAR’S BRAKING SYSTEM
If any of the components of the braking system are loose, the vehicle will squeal when the driver applies brakes. Therefore, you should always ensure that rotors, calipers and disc are tightened up to avoid car brake squeaking.If any of these auto parts are worn out, buy new ones and replace them at the earliest. Don’t forget to follow these tips when buying car parts online.
WHY DO NEW CAR BRAKES SQUEAL?
New car brakes squealing is not rare as they bed in. However, as discussed above, the sound could be due to the brake pad material, which will eventually stop after some time. Also, if the metal fibres in the brake pads are too close they cause car brake squeaking. In either case, there is nothing to worry about.
Another reason for new car brakes squealing could be if the rotors are not replaced with brake pads. In some cases, the rotors don’t set up with the new pad and produce a squeal. It’s advised to check with the technician who installed the new brake pads and get it fixed if required.
HOW TO STOP CAR BRAKE SQUEALING
The solution depends on the car brakes squealing cause. As we have discussed above, in some cases the sound will stop on its own. But, if the squealing sound is too annoying and affecting your car’s gears then it’s advised to head to an auto service centre for inspection.
Moreover, the solution to car brakes squeaking may depend on the type of vehicle, model and the brake type installed in your car.
These were some of the common causes of car brakes squealing. However, make sure you take your car for regular inspection and add brake inspection to your car maintenance checklist. In this way, even if the brakes are faulty, the technician will identify the problem and fix it. Besides, if you are buying a used car in the UAE, take a test drive to ensure the brake’s performance. Also, follow these tips to take a test drive of a second-hand car.
Stay tuned to the UAE’s favourite auto blog for more maintenance and repair guides of different automobile parts.
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