You climb into your vehicle, start the engine, and throw it into “Drive.” At the first traffic light, you hear it: a high-pitched squeal coming from your brakes. The bad news is that it won’t go away on its own. It needs to be resolved.
This is a frustrating automotive problem that many people misunderstand. Unfortunately, that makes it difficult to fix. This article will shed light on the factors that can cause your brakes to squeal, and share a few tips for inspecting them. Along the way, we’ll describe some quick fixes you can apply in specific circumstances.
Understanding The Root Cause Of The Noise
Most people think the noise is generated when the brake pads wear down. In reality, the squealing is usually caused by vibrations. When a new vehicle arrives at the dealership, the pads are held in place by anti-rattle clips. As long as they remain in place, you’re unlikely to hear noise (though other factors can cause it). When the pads become loose, however, they often begin to vibrate at a high frequency. This causes the squeal.
Another possible reason for the noise is glazing. This occurs when the surfaces of the pads and rotors harden due to repeated exposure to excessive temperature. When the hardened surfaces rub together, they generate the noise.
The rotors may also become scarred or rough. This too can cause squealing. In order to remain silent, the rotors must be completely smooth.
On occasion, severely-worn pads will begin to squeal when you apply the brakes. This is due to a wear indicator located inside the pad’s friction material. When the material wears down to the point that the indicator becomes exposed, it rubs against the rotor, producing the noise. This occurs less often than most people believe. As noted above, the most common reason for squealing is vibrations caused by loose pads.
Check Your Brake System
You can take your vehicle to a mechanic or dealership, and have them check your brakes for you. Or, you can do it yourself. It is relatively simple, and can be done easily and at lower cost at home. The key is following a methodical process.
First, check the brake fluid. If the level is low, add more. If the fluid is discolored, have it replaced. These factors alone will not directly cause squealing, but they can lead to circumstances that eventually produce the noise.
Second, remove the tire from which the noise is coming. That should allow you to examine the brake pads. Has the friction material become glazed? Has it worn to the point that the wear indicator is exposed? If either is the case, you’ll need to replace the pads.
Third, inspect the rotor. Do you see evidence of glazing or scarring? Are there areas on the rotor that appear slightly warped? If so, it will need to be resurfaced in order to restore its smoothness.
Fourth, while the tire is off the wheel, look closely at the anti-rattle clips. Are they in good condition, or broken? If they are broken, the squealing is likely caused by the vibrations of the pads. Replace the clips.
Lastly, inspect the shims that are positioned on the back of the brake pads. They are installed at the time the vehicle is built in order to prevent noise. The problem is, the shims wear out and are often thrown away by mechanics when they perform brake jobs. Some technicians fail to replace them. If these components are worn or missing, replace them.
Some causes of squealing brakes, such as broken anti-rattle clips and missing shims, are easy to resolve. Most people can handle those tasks without the help of a mechanic. Replacing worn brake pads is also relatively simple if you have sufficient time and a good service manual. Resurfacing rotors is more complex. Not only is precision important, but the job requires a special lathe. In most cases, it should be left to a trained auto technician.
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