Your brakes shouldn’t squeal every time you use them. If they do, they are trying to tell you there is something wrong. Miller Brothers Auto Repair can inspect your brakes if they are making noises when you press down on the brake pedal. In this blog post, we are going to talk about the causes of squealing brakes. It’s important to have brake problems looked into right away because the brake system is the most important safety system on your car, truck, or utility vehicle.
Brake Pad Warning
Your brakes might be squealing because it’s time to replace the brake pads. Embedded in the pads is an indicator that will make noise once the brake pads get to 1/4-of-an-inch. This is the time at which the brake pads need to be replaced. Aside from the squealing noise, you may also end up with an illuminated Brake light on your dashboard or a Low Pad indicator light.
Loose Anti-Rattle Clips
Your brake pads are held in place by anti-rattle clips. If these clips are to lose or break, the brake pads will vibrate when you press down on the brake pedal. This vibration will cause your brakes to squeal every time you use them. We can inspect the brake pads and the anti-rattle clips. If necessary, we can replace the clips so that you can brake silently again.
Overheating Brakes
Squealing brakes are often a sign that your brake system is getting too hot. This can make driving your automobile dangerous because hot brakes often fail. If you also smell hot odors alongside the annoying sound, your brakes are overheating. Specifically, boiling brake fluid will smell like hot chemicals. Glazed brake pads and rotors will smell like burning carpet.
Warped Rotor Surfaces
Speaking of the rotors, the surfaces need to be recut every 60,000 miles. If it’s been longer than that since you had this service and your brakes are squealing, it’s possible that the rotor surfaces are warped and smooth and this is what is causing the sound.
Zero Pad Insulation
Finally, the brake pads have insulation that prevents them from making noise when you apply the brakes. Your brakes may be squealing if an inexperienced auto technician replaced your brake pads but did not replace the insulation at the same time.
Miller Brothers Auto Repair in Somerset, WI, can inspect your brakes if they are making squealing noises. Schedule a service appointment with us today.