Why Do Brakes Squeak & How To Fix It

Squeaky brakes are irritating for any driver, but also a common cause for concern. You are pressing down on your brake and hearing a noise like squealing or grinding. Is that a sound from your car telling you that something is wrong?

First, you should understand how most modern brakes work. When putting your foot down on the pedal, the signal goes to the brake caliper that makes the two pads squeeze the rotor to which the wheel is attached, and therefore stops the car. By nature, brakes work by creating friction with a big metal disc, which often produces some noise (like a soft and whirring sound as the rotor vibrates against the pads).

Squeaky Brakes: Should You Worry?

While squeaky brakes are not uncommon, they are definitely a sign that something is odd with your brakes. If you occasionally hear this, it might be rust on your discs. However, if your brakes squeak consistently, it might be a problem with the brake pads.

It is common for cheaper brake pad products on the market to squeak, mostly because they are made from increased metal content, which leads to the sounds of squealing and metallic brake dust. This is also a potential sign of rust or corrosion problems down the line, especially if you ignore the sound and allow it to build up.

Under the right conditions, brakes should not squeak – they are manufactured to vibrate in exactly the same way a violin string vibrates when stroked by the bow. Most brake squeals, however, occur in a single discrete frequency. In other words, pressing on your brakes hard in some situations may result in a squeak, but if you are witnessing the issue every time you press on your brake pedal, the next step discusses how to fix brakes that squeak or produce weird sounds.

If Your Brakes Squeak, Here Are 3 Ways You Can Fix Them

First, you will need to decide whether you want to dampen the noise your brakes produce or change the components to stop it altogether. The good news is that you can fix brakes that squeak, and the fix is often affordable if handled early on.

1. Start By Using Grease As Lubrication

Calipers that are poorly lubricated are a common reason for brakes that produce odd noises. You can grease the contact points to prevent the sounds from showing up again. However, to do that, you will need to know how to remove your brake pads.

After you remove your brake pads from the calipers, you will also need to put on some gloves to grease the contact points. Also, you should never put on grease on the rotor surface of the brake pad. If you do so, you might have to buy a new set altogether. That is why we always recommend having your brakes inspected at a licensed car service station.

2. Install Shims To Avoid The Squeaky Sound

Most brake pads come with components called shims, which are located between the rotors and pads and are meant to prevent friction. Shims keep the rotors and pads in place and connected, and prevent unwanted noises.

However, worn-out shims should instantly be replaced. You can find anti-squeal shims that are made of rubber, metal, or Teflon and put them between the brake calipers and brake pads. Your new shims will act as an extra layer – absorbing vibrations and keeping your car moving quietly.

3. Replace Your Brake Pads And Rotors

The last option is to replace your brakes altogether. In some cases, this might be the only option that will stop squeaky brakes. Just so you know, your car’s brake pads need to be replaced every 50,000 kilometers or when the brake pad friction has worn down and your pads and rotors are officially making metal-to-metal contact (which is why brakes squeak).

Again, replacing your brake pads should occur in a professional car garage, and by experienced mechanics. The cost of brake pad replacement in the UAE depends on your car’s make and model.

Conclusion

In the end, you should know that some brakes are always noisy and can’t be avoided. These usually are brakes fitted in high-performance vehicles with heavy-duty braking systems. However, irritating and squeaky brakes can be fixed, either by lubricating them or replacing some of the components in the brake system.