It is always annoying to hear unwanted noises emerging from the car’s brakes. It creates a dilemma among drivers of whether to pull over and call for mobile mechanic service or to keep on driving towards the set destination. We would always suggest the former so that you remain safe on the road and avoid any mishaps arising from faulty brakes. Brakes squeaking can be caused by simple issues such as lack of lubrication or complex issues such as malfunctioning brake pads. In this blog, we will provide a comprehensive guide consisting of the reasons that cause your car brakes to squeak. We would also offer some suggestions on how to overcome this squeaking so that you can promptly fix the noise coming from the brakes of your car to ensure the best performance and excellent durability of your automobile.
Top Reasons Why Your Brakes Are Squeaking
Brakes are the most important safety feature that helps slow down and stop the car. Any issues related to the braking system can be risky, jeopardizing the safety of every passenger inside the car. Thus, it is important to understand the real reason behind the high-pitched squeak to discover what exactly is causing such noise to your brakes. These are as follows:
[1] Hard braking
It is always advisable to drive at an optimal speed to avoid braking suddenly. However, no one can predict the future. A vehicle may emerge out of the blue, or a dog may come running in front of your vehicle. As a result, you have to slam your brakes to avoid an accident. Such accidental hard brakings cause damage to the brake pads, making them wear out faster. It also harms other parts, such as the rotors and discs, and is one of the prime reasons for squeaky brakes.
[2] Moisture
When you leave your car unattended at night, it collects dew that causes squeaky brakes during the day. Moisture is not a friend of your car, as it facilitates the buildup of rust in your vehicle. The issue of squeaking brakes is most found during the rainy season when the level of moisture in the air remains highest. Visiting your nearest mobile mechanic service to check whether there is a rust buildup in your brakes due to moisture is crucial to avoid serious damage to the brake fluid and other crucial components.
[3] Lack of lubrication
It is one of the simplest reasons that causes brakes squeaking. Lack of lubrication leads to the corrosion of the contact points that causes an unwanted squeaking due to the shoes scraping against the brake plates. Therefore, to stay away from such problems, regular lubrication of the contact points using a good quality lubricant is mandatory.
[4] Dust deposition between brake pads
Treading through a muddy road will cause dirt and dust to settle in the brakes, leading to unwanted noises and inconsistent braking. The dust from your feet can also build up and cause your brakes to squeak. Furthermore, such dirt hampers the tires and has the potential to damage brake pads. This dust deposition occurs when pads abrase carbon fiber and metal shavings from the rotor, eventually degrading how your brakes function, causing risks while driving.
[5] Thinning Pads
If the brake pads are too thin, they can cause danger while driving. Maintaining the proper thickness of the pads is essential in securing road safety. Therefore, it is always recommended that the condition of the products be checked and that they be replaced promptly if they are thinner than necessary. When the pads are too thin, it will be difficult for the motorist to slow down the car even if he slams the brakes hard, increasing the risk of committing a road accident. Moreover, thinning pads are one of the most common causes of squeaking brakes.
[6] Worn-out brake pads
This component of the car needs to be replaced after a few years due to regular wear and tear. Brake pads come in three main types: semi-metallic, organic, and ceramic. The semi-metallic ones are the most commonly used pads, and when they abrase against the rotor, they cause squeaking brakes. Experts advise choosing brake pads with less metal to get rid of such unpleasant noises while driving. If you are looking for an alternative, opting for organic pads can be a wise option since they are cheaper and more durable than their metallic counterpart. Although ceramic pads are the most expensive, they provide the best performance and quality. Their greatest plus side is that they are silent!
Tips on Fixing Brakes Squeaking
Although it feels disgusting to listen to unpleasant noise from the brakes, resolving the underlying issue is not always expensive. These can be quick and simple fixes that you, as a car owner, can perform at home in a DIY way. However, if you feel the problem is serious, contacting a mechanic would be the ideal option. The following tips would help you in repairing the brakes of your car, which are as follows:
[1] Apply grease or other lubricants to the brake pads
Fixing your noisy brakes does not always have to be an expensive affair. If the brakes are almost new, applying a lubricant can solve the problem. However, while applying lubricants, it is essential to ensure that they do not touch the brake pad exterior and the rotor, which would hamper the braking performance of your vehicle. Lubricating the capiler carrier and the back of the brake pads is important to derive the best results. Avoid using grease since it can negatively impact certain components of your vehicle’s braking system.
[2] Install Brake Pad Shims
If you’re experiencing the brakes squeak when stopping slow, using shims can be a viable option to cancel the unpleasant noise. Most modern cars come with brake pad shims pre-installed; however, if your car doesn’t, try installing them to get rid of the squeaking issue. Shims have a coating of rubber that absorbs noises and prevents the brakes from making that harsh squealing.
[3] Try replacing pads and rotors
Every component of your car has a functioning lifespan. The rotors and pads get faulty when the brakes of your vehicle reach the end of its life. These worn-out brakes are responsible for generating noises that are torture to the ears. Checking the thickness of the pads is vital in understanding their condition and deciding whether they must be replaced or not. If they have turned too thin or the outside of the rotor is swollen, it is the right time to replace them by reaching out to a trusted mobile car mechanic Perth.
To Sum It Up
Prompt readiness to fix Brakes squeaking can be beneficial to you in the long run. Quickly taking your car to the mechanic not only prevents it from getting further damages but also prevents you from incurring huge expenses in the future, which could have been the case if you had ignored the underlying issue as something minor. It is worth remembering that not all solutions for eradicating squeaking need to be expensive. Expert mechanics can quickly point out the problems and perform necessary repairs to restore the braking as well as the overall performance of your four-wheeler.
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