Service Brake Pad Squeaking

WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON CAUSES OF BRAKE SQUEAKING?

The most common cause of brake squeaking is general wear and tear of them. This can be damage from general use over time, or due to your driving style (harder, more frequent braking for example). Another possible source of the problem would be due to buildup - either of dirt or moisture between the pads and rotors.

We will list some of the most common causes below.

Dust & Debris Between The Pads and Rotors

Another common reason for brake squeaking is mud, dust, or other debris on the surface of either your pads, rotors, or both. This can occur due to either driving conditions or leaving your car or vehicle idle for a period of time allowing it to collect dust. This can be fixed with either a quick spray of cleaner or sanding down the surface material. It may also clear up after a few brake applications allowing the friction to clear the debris.

Your Personal Braking Style

How you use your brakes can also determine their general durability. Braking hard and fast repeatedly, especially at higher speeds, will generate excess heat and a smooth, hard glaze to form on the surface of your brake pads. Using your brakes excessively downhill will also cause glazing due to spikes in temperature that exceed the brake pads' designed conventional limits. Once brake pads are glazed they will no longer create the necessary friction to stop your vehicle. They can also fracture or crack, resulting in needing to replace them.

Mechanical or Hydraulic failure in the brake caliper which can cause the brake pads to rub against the rotor even when you're not applying the brake pedal can also lead to glazing. This can happen without your knowledge making this cause particularly perilous. To check for glazing run your finder over the surface of your brake pads and feel for a smooth or glassy finish. If your brake pads glaze you will need to clean or resurface your rotors, check the calipers and hydraulic system for issues or failure. If it keeps happening, review your own braking style.

Lack of Lubrication on Drum Brakes

If your car has drum brakes, the squealing can be caused by a lack of lubrication at the contact points between the shoes and drum. Without lubrication, the shoes start to scrape against the backing plate, creating the squeal. Its usually possible to tell where the issue is by looking for signs of this kind of scraping where the bare metal is exposed. Repairing or preventing squeaky drum brakes an easy process of applying a brake grease to the backing plate where the piston meets the shoes.