Your vehicle’s braking system is one of, if not the most important, safety systems in your vehicle. That being said, many look past visible or audible signs of brake wear. While certain issues like grinding, pulsating, or a spongy brake pedal make it really hard to ignore, a problem like squeaking is more annoying than a safety hazard, but should be treated with the same alarm when other brake issues appear. If your brakes are squeaking, you may not want to put off getting them inspected. In this article, we’re going over why your brakes could be squeaking and how to go about repair.
Worn-Out Brake Pads
Perhaps the most obvious sign of an issue, worn brake pads will have lost much of the material responsible for creating friction, which produces a high-pitched squeal. The squealing serves as a loud warning that your brakes need service.
Dust or Debris on Rotors
The material being shaved from brake pads needs to go somewhere, and this brake dust often ends up on the rotors. When enough builds up between the pads and rotors, it can cause a squealing noise as the debris is rubbed against the spinning rotor. Brake dust isn’t the only culprit of this, as rust and road dirt/debris can also cause similar issues. Luckily, often this can be remedied with some brake cleaner and a shop towel.
Faulty Brake Pad Clips
Metal clips push down on the brake pad and keep it mounted properly within the caliper. When these clips are installed incorrectly or extremely worn down from use, they can begin to cause a squeaking noise coming from the pad.
The main cause of this isn’t changing the clips with the pads. Pad clips are only designed to last as long as the pads themselves, and should be swapped at the same time to avoid failing hardware. Brake pads themselves nh should be swapped at the same time to avoid failing hardware. Brake pad replacements will come with new clips to install so anyone attempting a brake DIY should ensure their clips are replaced and installed properly.
Loose Hardware
Over time, your brake hardware is exposed to harsh vibrations from rough road conditions and consistent driving. This can cause the hardware to become jarred loose or knocked out of place. In the right circumstances, this may cause a high-pitched vibration or rubbing to be emitted.
Why Do My Brakes Need Replacing?
While many components in our vehicles can run for many years without issues, brakes are one of those that will need to be replaced more often. What’s the deal with that?
All car brakes operate by using friction to force the wheels to stop spinning and slow down the vehicle. The most common way of producing this friction comes through the use of brake rotors and pads, better known as disk brakes.
Brake Service & Repair in Federal Way, WA
At Northshore Automotive, we take pride in delivering top-notch brake repair services. Whether that means replacing worn brake pads, resurfacing rotors, or flushing and replacing brake fluid, our team handles each step with precision and care. Our goal goes beyond fixing the immediate problem. We want your brakes to be reliable and safe for the long haul. Our ASE-certified technicians, backed by our status as a certified NAPA AutoCenter and affiliations with AAA and ASA, make sure every brake job meets a high standard of quality and safety.