How to Stop Your Brakes from Squealing

If your brakes are squealing, you need to take action right away. This can be a sign that something is wrong with your brakes and it could lead to bigger problems down the road if it’s not fixed. In this blog post, we will talk about what might be causing your brakes to squeal and how you can stop it from happening. If you follow these tips, you can stop your brakes from squealing and keep yourself and your passengers safe on the road!

Why Your Brakes Could be Squealing

Brake pads create heat when they apply friction to slow down a vehicle. Over time, it’s not uncommon for all that hard work to cause them to produce weird sounds. If your brakes squeal, grind or hiss, Allstate explains that it could be due to:

Poor installation

Cheap parts and improper installation methods can lead to squeaky brakes and other problems. A common culprit is a poorly lubricated caliper that ends up sticking. The caliper encloses the brake pads and pistons and creates friction with the rotors to slow down the wheels. A caliper that sticks can reduce braking ability and may cause the car to “drag” as it rubs against the rotor. Eventually, it can wear the brake pad down, leading to loud scraping sounds.

Brakes need to ‘warm up’

Brake friction may produce hissing or grinding sounds when brakes have accumulated dew and rust overnight. Rainy mornings can also cause brake pads to make noises. The sound should go away once the brake pads have scraped the rust off the disc.

Modern brake materials

Vehicles have gotten heavier over time due to upgraded parts and safety features. This has given rise to the use of metallic and ceramic materials on brake pads. These materials are better at slowing down heavier vehicles than their predecessors. But they also make for noisier brakes. This typically isn’t anything to worry about.

Brakes need to be replaced

Brakes pads have what is called a “wear indicator.” It’s a metal tab that scrapes the disc once the brake pad is worn and needs to be replaced. A squeak is one thing. But scraping may mean the brake pads need to be replaced.

How to Stop Your Brakes from Squealing

If you’re experiencing brake squeal, there are a few things you can do:

1. Check your brake pads.

If your brake pads are getting low, it’s time to replace them. You can check your brake pads yourself or take it to a mechanic to have it checked.

2. Lubricate the caliper.

If the caliper is sticking, you can try to lubricate it with a silicone-based lubricant. This will help reduce friction and hopefully stop the squealing.

3. Replace your brake pads.

If the brake pads are worn out, they need to be replaced. You can do this yourself or take it to a mechanic.

4. Get your brakes serviced.

If you’re still having problems with your brakes, it’s time to take it to a professional at Scott’s Auto. We can check for other issues and make sure everything is working properly.

Brake Safely with Scott’s Auto

Like an oil change, it seems like brakes are another maintenance issue that sneaks up on you sooner than you’re prepared for. At Scott’s Auto & Repair, we realize you already have a busy schedule to juggle and getting your brakes repaired would just be one more appointment to squeeze in, so we promise to make it as quick and painless as possible. Remember, the longer you put it off the costlier damage you may incur and the greater a safety risk you take. If your brakes are squealing, don’t ignore it! Bring your car into Scott’s Auto and we’ll take a look. We can help you figure out what’s causing the problem and get it fixed quickly. We want to keep you and your family safe on the road!