Brake squeaking is a fairly common problem in cars, and the causes of this problem can vary widely. However, you should know that while it’s not illegal for your car to have squeaky brakes – the reason they squeal can get you in trouble.
- Brakes squeaking can be caused by many reasons
- It’s not illegal – unless your braking performance is severely affected
- If your brakes squeak, have them checked by a mechanic
Here’s a little explanation about disc brakes: the brake pads clamp to the brake disc – the disc that rotates inside the wheel, as it’s part of the wheel hub assembly. Every time the wheel turns, your brake disc will also rotate. The brake pad assembly remains fixed in one position, but when you step on the brake pedal, the brake pads come into contact with the disc and bring you to a stop by friction.
Another type of brake system – commonly used for the rear brakes of cars – is the drum brake. They have an attached drum cylinder, hence the name, which rotates with the wheel hub. Inside there are “shoes” controlled by pistons, when you step on the brake, these clogs will work out, pushing into the drum to create friction, causing the car to slow down.
At times, you can imagine these processes leading to uneven wear, and if you don’t replace or service your brake pads or shoes, you’ll limit your ability to slow down or stop your vehicle.
In some cases, you’ll hear a shrill brake sound (it’s a very annoying metallic squeak) and you’ll also feel no “biting” through the pedals.
It is possible that your brake pads have worn out and what you are hearing is the sound of metal hitting metal. That’s because brake pads are a replaceable part – they’re designed to break down over time, because brake pads are made of a material that creates friction. If the lining at the bottom of the friction pad is loose, you may hear a creaking sound.
Other ways you might notice this are through rattling noises, or vibrations and wobbles when braking.
There are other causes of rattling or hissing noises. Sometimes you can get a rock, rock, twig, or other foreign object caught between the disc and the pad, which can cause a humming noise.
Humidity can also cause your brakes to squeak. If the vehicle is parked outside and there is rain, moisture, snow or anything else that can cause moisture to collect on the brakes. You may have noticed that, at times, your brakes can rust almost overnight. That’s partly due to moisture on the brakes – usually, if you’re new to driving (the car can squeak and squeak when you brake for a while), the rust will wear off.
And if you happen to step on the brakes fairly hard – for example, if you don’t apply the brakes gently – that can lead to a blurred brake surface, especially if you brake hard at higher speeds, or if you brake too hard. downhill level. Excessive heat can cause this glass to appear and that means you will have to replace a new set of brake pads as brake performance will be affected.
The material of your brake pads can also affect whether your brakes squeak or not. Most cars run on semi-metallic brake pads, but they can squeak, especially when new. If you don’t want to squeak but can handle a lot of brake dust (you can mostly find this on European cars), then organic brake pads might be your best bet – they softer, wears out faster and usually has a sizable amount of residue. remaining on the wheels. The most commonly recommended brake pads for most cars are ceramic brake pads, which are said to provide quieter braking and longer life, but they cost more.
Finally, if your drum brake shoes squeak, it could be due to a lack of lubrication at the contact points where the shoe comes into contact with the drum or from dust accumulating inside the brake drum.
It’s not illegal to drive with squeaky brakes, but it can be a road safety concern. If you are about to get a new roadworthiness certificate or if your vehicle is due for registration, brakes are one of the parts that may need repair, as they are one of the most important parts of your vehicle. Bowl.
Often times, you may be told that you need to replace both your brake pads and brake discs. This could be due to a damaged disc (warping, pitting, grooves, scratches). In some cases, brake discs can be “machined” to bring them back to working standard, but replacing the discs as well as the brake pads is often a better option.
Replacing your brake system can be expensive, but it’s totally worth it. Remember, your brakes are the difference between a stop and a collision.
If you’re planning on just replacing the brake pads, the cost could be as little as $150. But replacing discs and pads is more likely to be between $300 and $500. However, don’t be surprised if the workshop asks for more, especially if you drive a performance vehicle with larger brakes or if you want a more performance-focused brake package for your vehicle. That could easily cost in excess of $1000.
Not intended as legal advice. Check with the relevant road authority in your state or territory.
