It happens to just about everyone at some point during car ownership, the brakes start making noises. That leaves motorist asking, “Why are my brakes squealing?”. It can be a frustrating and embarrassing if your car squeals every time you slow down and stop at lights, stop signs, and in parking lots. Squealing brakes at low speed or when stopping is a sign you should pay attention to.
Why Do Brakes Squeal?
There is a variety of reasons that your brakes will squeal. It can happen right after a brake job if insulation or clips aren’t properly installed. It also happens as brakes, rotors, and other parts of your vehicle’s braking system wear out and need repair. The most common reason is worn brake pads as they are designed with an indicator that causes that tell tell high pitched squeal. Read about all the possible reasons that your brakes are squealing below.
New Brakes That Squeal
If you’ve recently had your brakes done and they are squealing you need to take them back to the shop. There is a chance that the calipers, pad insulators, or anti rattle clips are loose. When new brakes squeal it is typically the sound of those loose items vibrating against the brake pads. This correction of a brake service should be covered without additional charge.
Worn Brake Pads
One of the most common reasons your brakes will squeal is when the pads are worn. Brake pads are made from taking a material that causes friction and mounting it to a steel backing. As you apply the brakes in the vehicle the brakes press this material against the rotors to slow the vehicle by friction. When the material that is designed to cause the friction that slows the car wears down, it will begin to squeal. Typically, this is caused by the brake pad wear indicator spring. When the pad gets thin it makes contact with the rotor and causes a high pitch squealing sound. This sound lets you know that it’s time to take your vehicle into the brake shop. In some cases, your brakes will not have a wear indicator and it will actually be the steel backing making contact and damaging your rotors.
Glazed Rotors & Brake Pads
Your brakes will also squeal when they are glazed. The caliper that pressure the brake pad down will get stuck and the brake will stay partially applied. This keeps the pad in constant contact with the rotor, even at high speeds. The friction created by this creates heat by excessive friction. The friction material in the brake pads will crystalize and harden due to this excessive heat. As they harden, crystalize, and glaze they will make noise and become less effective in slowing the vehicle. The only solution is replacing the brake pads and either replacing the rotors or resurfacing them.
Broken Anti Rattle Clips
Your brake pads are held on the calipers by pad stays. Anti rattle clips are used to eliminate rattling or vibration as the brake is applied. If your brakes are squealing there’s a chance that the anti rattle clips are either broken or worn your pads will vibrate against the rotor and cause a squealing noise. The only way to resolve this problem is to simply replace the anti rattle clips.
Poor Pad Insulation & Shims
As vehicles are produced by auto manufacturers insulation shims are set between the brake caliper and the steel backing of the brake pads. This shim provides insulation that eliminates squealing. The shims can wear out but can also be discarded during brake jobs. As you get new brake pads its important to either replace the insulation shims or use insulation gel to prevent the squealing. If you’ve had a recent brake job and you’re hearing this squeal take it back and have them fix it!
Poor Rotor Surfacing
As brake jobs are done the rotors need to be resurfaced. This process removes glazing and sets the rotors back to “true”, which is being even and flat. Any grooves dug by pads that were dragging or gouges in the rotors are removed along with adding a non directional surface finish that helps new pads wear in correctly. You should keep in mind that if you’ve had a brake job and you feel brake pedal pulsing or hear squealing they might not have resurfaced the rotors as part of your brake job.
Scottsdale Brake Shop
If you work or live in Scottsdale and need brake repair by a quality brake shop, Bridwell Automotive Center is here to help! Our team of ASE Certified technicians work on all makes, models, and types of vehicles and can find what’s causing your brakes to squeal and fix it! From daily drivers and commuter cars to high performance or luxury vehicles we can handle any job. If your brakes are squealing please call our brake shop for repair at 480-948-4781.
