It is common to experience squeaking of brakes while driving or when stopping slow and it can be annoying and disturbing for the driver. There are several reasons behind such occurrences of Brakes squeak when stopping slow and there are also several solutions to help the brakes stop squeaking. ‘Why are my brakes squeaking’ being the first question that comes up to mind and more so because squeaking of brakes can also a safety threat?
If you experience brake noise when braking slowly and are looking for a way to avoid it, this article is the destination for all your answers and will help you understand this mechanism of your vehicle better. This will also help you take better care of your vehicle especially with new brakes.
Applying brake and slowing down is one of the most vital parts of driving and if there is a disturbance such as squeaking while doing so it can be irritating for the driver and there are several questions that may arise regarding what exactly is responsible for such behavior of your vehicle.
WHY ARE MY BRAKES SQUEAKING WITH NEW BRAKES?
When brakes are new the metal fibers in the brake pads are quite close to each other. This closeness of the brake pads can cause the squeaking in the brakes and can result in such disturbances while slowing down or stopping your car. Typically, the metal pads wear off with time and the squeaking goes away. However, sometimes this can take very long or can be the result of other irregularities that cause disturbing noise. Panic stopping also results in a glossy finish on the pads of the brakes.
Most of the time the brakes still stop your car as per the need even if they squeak and most times getting new brakes over and over again does not solve the issue of squeaking.
WHAT CAUSES THE SQUEAKING?
Most modern cars come with a cast-iron disc that is squeezed between the brake pads that are lined with friction material. Normally the design of the car supports these parts to vibrate or pulsate however, if there is a single individual irregularity in any of these parts then the brakes squeak when stopping slow.
In several cases, the squeaking of your brakes can also be a result of insufficient development done from the manufacturer’s side which can leave your brake system vulnerable to disturbances and more prone to the generation of such squeaking.
The best way to fix this is to change the resonant frequency or simply damp the noise.
BRAKE PAD NOISE AT NORMAL LEVEL:
In most vehicles, the alignment of the brake pads is such that it causes a grating or a whooshing noise during the initial few stops of the morning till the brakes are warmed up again to start functioning smoothly. Hoarding of moisture results in such noises and once the warmth prevents the hoarding of moisture the brakes are back to normal and do not cause any disturbance. This is a normal and common phenomenon. It is also quite noticeable in the rainy season due to the increased humidity in the environment.
HOW TO STOP THE BRAKES FROM SQUEALING WHEN DRIVING AT NORMAL LEVEL?
One way to get rid of the squeaking noise in your vehicle is to change the friction material in the brake pads. It can be difficult to fetch a good friction material for your brake pad, however, it is one of the best ways to completely get rid of the squeaking noise in your car.
Several auto-part car shops sell a variety of anti-squeaking tools and widgets but it must be understood that most of these are not of good use and make no improvement in the nosiness of your brakes. These widgets are also not advisable since they can affect the friction features of your brake pads such that it affects the functioning of your brakes and might result in your brake to responding speedily when needed.
Anti-squeal adhesives are also a way to stop the squealing noise while slowing down or stopping your vehicle. These adhesives help to squeeze out the air due to their anaerobic nature that helps them remain gummy avoiding the squealing noise.
The main causes of brakes squeaking are:
1) HIGH METAL CONTENT IN BRAKE PADS:
An extremely high level of metal content in the brake pads is abnormal and it drags the rotor and results in disturbing squeaking noise in the vehicle. To avoid such issues, it is best to look for high-quality brake pads when buying new ones.
2). SQUEAKING BRAKE PADS OVERNIGHT:
Vehicles that are exposed to moisture due to various reasons like rain, dew, or overnight condensation accumulate moisture in the rotor resulting in squeaky noises.
3). DRUM BRAKES THAT ARE NOT LUBRICATED:
Insufficient lubrication of the drum brakes makes the metal prone to rusting that can cause disturbance and create noises that are unpleasant and annoying for the driver.
4). THIN BRAKE PADS:
The noises made by the brakes can be a warning for the thinning of the brake pads and when it happens you must get your brake pads replaced.
5) GLAZING:
Glazing is another cause of squeaky noises in your vehicle. Excessively hard braking can cause glazing which can be a cause for the disturbance during applying the brake.
CAN LOW BRAKE FLUID MAKE YOUR BRAKES SQUEAK?
Yes, lack of fluid and lubrication can result in rusting and can cause the brakes to squeal due to adverse effects on the metal of the brake pads.
IS IT DANGEROUS IF YOUR BRAKES SQUEAK?
Yes, the squealing of brakes is often a sign of the degradation of the essential parts of your brake system and this makes it a serious safety issue. Degraded brake parts can result in the brakes performing ineffectively and since brakes are the most important safety system in your vehicle it is important to keep them checked and updated. The inappropriate functioning of your brake is not only a safety threat to yourself but also those around you on the road. This is why one must always replace brakes as per requirement and never ignore the squealing of brakes.
CONCLUSION
Checking your brakes should be an important part of your car check-up routine as brakes can help in the prevention of most accidents. The professional auto mechanic will help and suggest to you the best ways in which you can keep your brake well-serviced and this is why it is important to get your brakes checked every once in a while, by them. Squealing noise in your brake is however a definite sign for inspection and you must take your vehicle for servicing after such experience.
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