What makes brakes squeal

Sometimes it may be difficult to discover problems with your car. Other times, as with the case of squeaky brakes, your vehicle is literally calling out to you for help. The squeaking is created by metal pads within your brake pad that are revealed as the pads wear down, giving you a warning before they wear down completely and begin to cause damage to your rotor. Rust and other debris can cause the squeaking noise.

If this is a problem on your vehicle, the rust or dirt can be filed off by your local mechanic. Sometimes slamming on the brakes is unavoidable. When I stop at a light I get stares from people. It's embarrassing! I just had the brakes done last month, so why are they squealing? Melissa from Manhasset, New York. Take your car back to the shop. Sounds to me like the pad insulators, anti rattle clips, or calipers are loose.

The squeal you hear is the result of vibration of the brake pads. I would not expect to be charged; this should be covered under the brake job warranty.

Melissa brings up a popular topic that needs to be addressed. Brake squeal is common and can be caused by a number of conditions: Worn pads, glazed pads and rotors, broken anti rattle clips, lack of pad insulation or insulation shims, and incorrect rotor surface cut or no surface cut at all. Let's take a closer look. A brake pad is comprised of steel backing with friction material attached to it.

Application of the brakes produces hydraulic pressure that causes the brake pads via brake calipers to clamp down on the rotors discs creating friction. It is the friction of the pads against the rotors that slows and stops the vehicle. When the friction material on the pads wears down, it is time to change the pads. Some pads are equipped with a wear indicator, which is a small spring steel clip. When a pad is worn, this clip makes contact with the rotor and generates a high-pitched squeal, telling you that it is time to service the brakes.

If the pad does not have a wear indicator, then when the pad has worn down to the steel backing it will grind into the rotor and need to be replaced. In this scenario, the rotor may have to be replaced as well, depending on how badly it was affected. If brake callipers stick it can cause the brake to stay partially applied.

This results in excessive friction and heat which can cause the brake pads to harden and crystallise or glaze. Glazed brakes reduce the stopping action of your brakes as well as causing a high pitch sound when you apply the brake.

New Brakes Squeaking: As discussed above, it is not uncommon for new brakes to squeak intitally as they bed in. This can be down to the materials used in the brake pads and if this is the case the squeaking usually wears off quickly.

New brakes squeaking can also be caused by metal fibres in brake pads which if too close together can generate squealing sounds.

This is not usually anything to worry about as typically the brakes will wear which will stop the squeaking. You should get in touch with whoever replaced your pads and double check with them. In this case, you need to take your vehicle back to where you had the pads fitted in order for them to take a look. Your brakes are an essential aspect of your vehicle and it is imperative that they are in full working order to keep you safe.

So how can you stop your brakes squeaking? There are a number of remedies available to pick up at your local garage that claim to alleviate brake squeal. However as there are multiple reasons why your brakes could be squeaking, the best advice is to get your brakes checked by a qualified technician. As slight differences in composition can increase the chances of hearing noises or squeaks from your brakes.

Most garages will check your brakes during a service and cars over three years old must have fully operational brakes in order to pass their MOT. You can also book a winter health check at Stoneacre to ensure the safety and quality of your brakes before the cold weather and icy roads of winter months. Which is why once you have had brake pads supplied and fitted at Stoneacre you are covered by the Stoneacre Brake Pad Guarantee.

This ensures that as long as you keep hold of the original supply and fit invoice we will replace the brake pads in future as required completely free of charge.

This gives you the added peace of mind that should you suspect anything is wrong with your pads you can pop into your nearest branch and get your brakes looked at. So there really is no excuse not to get those squeaky brakes checked out. Get news and offers staight in your inbox. By ticking this box I agree I have read and understood your Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions and consent to receiving marketing communications by email.

Advice Centre. Lisa Simm. Share On Share. Order brake pads. Sign-up for our newsletter Get news and offers staight in your inbox. Upcoming Cars.

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