Tired of starting every day annoyed and wondering, "Why are my brakes squeaking?" but powering through because you have better things to do with your day? We get it! Squeaky brakes are infuriating!
High-pitch squeaking sounds when you brake can be extremely normal and easy to fix, or they may indicate a much more serious problem with your vehicle. So, let's diagnose the issue and find some solutions.
Squeaky Brakes 101: Key Takeaways
- Braking systems contain four main components: pads, calipers, rotors, and brake lines.
- The most common causes of squealing brakes are worn-out or low-quality brake pads, misaligned parts, dirty calipers, glazed or rusted pads or rotors, and poor lubrication.
- You may be able to diagnose why brakes are squeaking by removing a tire at home, but the best way to inspect your system is by asking a professional.
- If you have some experience and know-how, you can DIY your brake replacement with genuine OEM BrakeTimeUSA parts to help ensure quality fit and performance.
- Maintain healthy brakes by stopping and accelerating gradually, keeping a regular maintenance schedule, and not overpacking your vehicle beyond its weight limit.
- New brakes may continue to squeak for a few miles, but this is normal. Just give them time to break in!
How Do Brakes Work?
Your vehicle's braking system uses physics to stop your tires from rotating. Attached to your vehicle's wheels are metal discs called rotors. Rotors ride inside calipers, and calipers are fitted with brake pads. These brake pads do the dirty work of stopping your car. Here's how.
When you press your brake pedal, a chain reaction occurs: Hydraulic pressure sends brake fluid through your vehicle's brake lines to every wheel. The fluid applies pressure to the brake pads. Then, the pads squeeze against the rotors, and the rotors stop the wheels.
Common Causes of Squeaky Brakes
Now that you understand how a braking system should work, let's explore what causes squeaky brakes. Typically, brake squeals are the result of poor-quality or worn-out brake pads, rust and debris, or normal wear and tear, but sometimes your brakes let out an ear-piercing scream because something more severe is wrong.
If you're sick of asking "why my brakes are squeaking, grinding, or growling" and just want answers, here's a complete breakdown of the most common causes.
Worn Brake Pads
Did you know that brake pads are designed to squeal when they need to be replaced? Part of a brake pad's wear indicator is a metal plate that rubs against your rotor and squeaks when the pads have only 10-15% life left, so you know to replace them.
Low-Quality Brake Pads
It can be tempting to save a few bucks and buy off-brand brake pads, but doing so means you risk extra damage to your vehicle. Poor-quality brake pads can wear down faster than high-grade pads, so you may need to replace them more frequently.
Misaligned Brakes
If you know your rear brakes are fine but are scouring online forums for "why my front brakes are squeaking," you could have misaligned brakes. Even small misalignments can cause wheel vibrations, uneven brake pad wear, and unreliable braking.
Caliper Dust & Debris
If any foreign objects, including small amounts of dirt, dust, or debris, get lodged inside your brake calipers, your brake pads may not function properly, and you risk considerable damage to your rotors.
Glazed Brake Pads or Rotors
"Glazing" means your brakes have been heated to the point that they harden and form a glassy, smooth surface. Glazed pads and rotors are extremely dangerous because they cannot provide the friction you need to stop safely.
Rusted Brake Pads or Rotors
If brake rotors and pads get wet and don't dry out quickly, these brake system components can rust and make a loud whine. Moisture inside your brake lines can also cause brake fluid to lose effectiveness or lead to brake line corrosion.
Lack of Lubrication
Just like oil is vital to engine lubrication, your braking system needs brake lube to run properly. Without proper lubrication, the piston seals inside your wheel cylinders and calipers can't move smoothly, and those parts might corrode, stick, and squeak.
Diagnose Your Brake Problem
The common causes of squeaky brakes outlined above are a great starting point, but they don't help you diagnose your specific vehicle. Rather than frantically Googling, "My brakes are squeaking, but I don't know why," let's find answers through simple inspection.
Professional auto maintenance is recommended, but if you have the proper amount of knowledge and experience, you might choose to take the DIY route.
Safely use a car jack to elevate the wheel and take off the tire so you can see the inner workings of your braking system, including the brake pad, caliper, rotor, and brake line. Here's how every component should look if it's healthy:
- Brake pads should be thicker than 1/4 of an inch and have a visible wear indicator slot running down their center. If the pad is thinner than a common ink pen barrel or the wear indicator isn't visible, you need new brake pads.
- Calipers typically don't have visible signs of wear, but bad calipers will often heat up or create smoke while you're driving.
- Healthy brake rotors are smooth and unscratched, but this can be difficult to determine just by looking. However, if you do notice grooves, cracks, or breaks in your rotors, they need to be replaced immediately.
- Brake lines should feel firm but flexible. Squeeze your brake line, and if it feels hard and brittle or soft and spongy, you might need a new brake hose or assembly.
The best way to diagnose brake issues is to take your vehicle to a certified auto technician. This article isn't meant to replace an expert's opinion, so please ask a professional to inspect your brakes if you're experiencing problems.
How to Stop Brakes From Squeaking
Now that we've covered your most pressing question – "Why are my brakes squeaking?" – it's time for solutions. You'll find a brief outline below, or you can jump to our DIY brake and rotor replacement guide for comprehensive support.
Replace Brake Pads
Brake pads should typically be replaced every 25,000 to 65,000 miles, depending on your driving style, weather conditions, and terrain. Choosing high-quality brake pads can enhance your car's braking performance, last longer, and cause fewer problems.
Resurface or Replace Rotors
Are your rotors grooved, cracked, or broken? Have they already been driven between 30,000 and 70,000 miles? Use our BrakeTimeUSA performance brake and rotor kits to DIY your rotor replacement and give your vehicle exceptional stopping power – typically at a lower price than you'd pay at a dealership or mechanic's shop.
Clean Brake Components
You can clean brake calipers at home with a wire brush or sandblasting. These tools can remove rust, dirt, and debris to create a smooth caliper surface. Industrial lubricants and degreasers like WD-40 may also be used to clean and protect your brake system components.
Use High-Quality Parts
One of the best ways to keep your braking system in top shape is by choosing top-quality parts. At BrakeTimeUSA, we specialize in the best brake kits, pads, and drilled and slotted rotors for the job. You can even shop our website by brand to find the parts you need!
Check Lubrication
High-quality brake fluid usually lasts two or three years, but it's a good rule of thumb to check your vehicle's brake fluid levels when you check or change your oil. Experts also recommend flushing your brake lines every two or three years to remove corrosion or rust.
How to Prevent Squeaky Brakes
- The best way to prevent a nasty brake squeal is to keep a regular auto maintenance schedule. Check, change, and flush brake fluids often, and clean components to keep them dry and free of dirt.
- Driving and lifestyle habits can also affect the wear and tear on your braking system. Slamming on the brakes or punching the accelerator can prematurely wear down brake pads, overheat rotors, and damage brake hoses.
- Overloading your vehicle's trunk, cabin, or roof rails with heavy objects can strain your braking system unnecessarily, so double-check your model's weight rating before packing it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are my brakes squealing with new brakes?
Sometimes new brakes need time to adjust, so give your vehicle a few trips to the grocery store before you return to the shop for a checkup. If your squeaky brakes persist, you may have debris caught in your calipers, need more brake fluid, or need to try factory-brand parts to make sure every component fits and functions properly.
Why are my brakes squeaking after being replaced?
Few things in life are more annoying than getting brand-new brakes and still hearing squeaks. New brake pads need a few miles to break in, though, so keep driving to see if the squeal goes away. Using off-brand or low-quality brake pads might also cause a squeak, so stick with trusted brands and parts from BrakeTimeUSA to eliminate this risk.
Why does my car squeak when I brake?
Brakes squeak for multiple reasons, but the most common are worn-out brake pads, a lack of brake fluid, rusted or grooved rotors, dirty calipers, or corroded brake lines. You can inspect your brakes at home by removing a tire or two, but it's best to ask a professional to examine and diagnose your braking system. Then save time and money by ordering your replacement parts from BrakeTimeUSA!
"Why Are My Brakes Squeaking?": The Final Answer
As we've learned, a vehicle's braking system is made up of pads, calipers, rotors, and brake lines. When one or more of these components gets worn down, isn't properly lubricated, retains moisture and develops rust, or gets stuck by dirt and debris, your brakes will squeal.
You can also take the following steps to prevent squeaky brakes:
Quick Tips For Maintaining Healthy Brakes
- Get routine inspections and repairs.
- Check and flush brake fluids regularly.
- Invest in good-quality brake components.
- Avoid overloading your vehicle's weight rating.
- Don't slam on the brakes unless it's necessary.
- Accelerate smoothly and gradually.
