Why Are My Brakes Noisy? Common Causes and Fixes

Your heart is pounding. You narrowly avoided rear-ending the vehicle in front by hitting the brakes hard, but they emitted a blood-curdling shriek as you did. Or maybe your car brake noise is more of a thumping or grinding sound?

Sometimes, noisy brakes mean a serious problem must be addressed immediately for safety reasons and some brake noises indicate only minor issues. It can be hard to tell the difference, but one thing is certain: noisy brakes must be investigated immediately to ensure they do not signal that your car’s braking system has been compromised.

Let’s explore different types of car brake noise, what causes it, and the steps you should take.

When your brakes squeak, rattle, or grind, there is something wrong. The latter brake noise is particularly urgent, as a brake grinding noise means you could lose the ability to stop at any time.

Here are some of the most common causes of various brake noises, some of which are relatively easy to fix and others that require professional attention:

• Worn brake pads: You will hear a squeaking noise when your brake pads wear out. If the brake pads look good but there’s still brake noise, another braking system component is likely faulty.
• Dirty brake pads or rotors: Brakes require regular maintenance. A basic cleaning might fix this brake noise.
• Lack of lubrication: Your vehicle may emit squeaky brake noises without proper lubrication of the calipers and side pins.
• Warped rotors: A brake grinding noise or constant vibrations may indicate warped rotors due to uneven motor surfaces.
• Aggressive braking: Harsh braking puts more wear and tear on your braking system. Drivers with a heavy foot wear out brake pads faster. Too much aggressive braking can cause excess heat, and brake glazing ensues, leading to brake noise.

How to Fix Noisy Brakes

• Replace worn brake pads: This is the most straightforward solution. Every brake pad has a brake wear indicator, also called a squeak pad. How do you know if brake noise is caused by excessive wear? The brake wear indicator starts squeaking. Replacing these worn pads stops the squeak.
• Clean brake pad components: Brake noise can result from dirt and debris collecting in the brake pads. Use a commercial brake cleaner to remove these elements.
• Apply brake lubricant: While caliper pins need lubricant, make sure to use a product designed specifically for brakes on these items. Keep in mind you should never use WD-40 as a brake lubricant. The repercussions could include damage to the rubber seals in the calipers or loss of friction, which is essential to brake functioning. Such damage could result in brake failure, loss of control of your vehicle, and a serious accident.
• Inspect worn parts: You will need a mechanic to check your brake system and determine whether it needs resurfacing or replacing.
• Check for damage: For brakes making noise, examine them carefully for any sign of damage. Shims may wear out, springs break, and other components might need replacing.
• Adjust braking habits: If aggressive braking contributes to your noisy brakes, practice taking it easier on your brakes when driving. Over time, smooth braking may eliminate the noise. If that doesn’t help, it’s time to get a professional involved.

Squealing Brakes

When your car brake noise sounds like a shriek, squeal, or squeak, there are several potential causes, including:

• Worn brake pads
• Compromised rotor surface
• Glazed brake pads
• Dust or debris between the pads and rotors
• Improper lubrication

The most common cause of squealing car brake noise is worn brake pads. Brake pads are the component that applies pressure and friction to the brake rotor to slow the car’s forward motion. The brake pad’s friction material is manufactured with a piece of metal designed to squeal when it comes into contact with the brake rotor. This is an audible signal to the driver that the brake pads are wearing out and must soon be replaced to avoid more significant damage or potential brake failure.

If your car’s brakes are squealing, it’s important to get them inspected by a professional.

Rattling or Clattering Brakes

If your steering wheel shudders or you hear a rattling or clattering sound as you brake, the problem could be minor or severe. Common causes of rattling, noisy brakes include:

• Worn or broken anti-rattle hardware
• Dirty caliper slides
• Loose caliper mounting bolts
• Worn calipers
• Warped rotor

Anti-rattle hardware simply makes your drive quieter. But a professional mechanic must repair loose or worn calipers or a warped rotor to ensure your safety.

Grinding Brakes

The most common noisy brake symptoms are squealing or rattling, which can indicate that repairs are needed. Less frequently, you may hear a grinding noise when braking. This shows you have metal-on-metal, and your braking system needs repaired urgently to prevent further damage or having your brakes give out.

Even if the pads seem fine or you’ve recently replaced them, if you hear a grinding noise, get the pads inspected right away.

Common causes for grinding car brake noise include:

• Badly worn or low-quality brake pads
• Damaged brake rotor
• Faulty wheel bearing

A grinding car brake noise indicates that two metal pieces are rubbing together. This will rapidly wear out additional braking system components and must be inspected and repaired promptly.

Thumping or Thudding Brakes

A dull thudding or thumping noise when braking indicates that your rotor or the brake drum has gone out of round. If the thumping sound comes from the front of the car, your rotors have likely become warped. A thumping in the rear brakes indicates the brake drums are wearing unevenly.

Regardless of the location, thumping car brake noise is something to bring to the professionals.

Low-Pitched Squeal

Sometimes, the car brake noise you hear is like a low-pitched squeal, sort of a moaning sound. This sound will most likely occur in the early morning or shortly after you drive through a puddle. The sound results from moisture trapped between the rotor and the brake pad. As you drive, the heat and centrifugal force of the rotor quickly dries up the moisture, and the sound ceases.

So, there’s nothing to worry about when your noisy brakes emit a low-pitched squeal or moan that goes away within the first 10-15 minutes of driving.

Additional Brake Symptoms

Noisy brakes are the primary symptom of brake trouble, but other key signs mean your brake system needs attention. Be watchful of these signs:

• Illuminated brake light on your dash
• A car takes longer to stop
• Leaking brake fluid
• Soft or spongy brake pedal
• Hard or tight brake pedal
• Braking causes the vehicle to pull to one side
• Braking produces a burning smell

Any of the above signs indicate that your braking system needs prompt attention.

What to Do When You Hear Car Brake Noise?

Noisy brakes are not simply an inconvenience. Any issues must be investigated and repaired promptly. Immediate attention can prevent bigger, more costly problems down the road. And, of course, your safety and those you share the road with depend on your correctly functioning brakes.

If you experience noisy brakes while driving, pull over at the first safe place to do so. Take a moment to consider if your braking system responded appropriately. If your car still brakes properly while making noise, you should be safe to drive home. Then, take your vehicle in for a brake inspection at the earliest opportunity.

However, if your car pulled to one side while braking or took longer to come to a stop, call roadside assistance.

Maintaining the fluid level in your brake system is one of those basic skills all drivers need. And always be sure your brake lights and the brake light on your dash are working. Every 20,000 to 30,000 miles change your brake fluid. And whenever you experience noisy brakes, take the car in for an inspection.

Another way to remain proactive with road safety is to review your car insurance policy with a helpful Wawanesa agent. We’ll make sure you have the coverage you need.

When to See a Mechanic

For safety’s sake, always bring your car to a mechanic if any of the following occur:

Severe noise, especially if accompanied by vibrations: When there’s a brake grinding noise, see your mechanic right away. By the time this happens, the brake pads are likely completely worn down. You’re putting yourself and others on the road in danger if this isn’t fixed promptly because your brakes will not work. In addition, waiting until the brakes wear down to this point means repairs are going to be more extensive and expensive. Regular brake pad replacement based on your particular pad’s lifespan can prevent you from dealing with brake grinding noise and the subsequent damage to your car.

Noise impacts braking performance: If brake noise impacts your vehicle’s ability to stop, that’s a huge safety issue. Schedule an appointment with your mechanic immediately.

Unsure about the noise cause: If you can’t tell what’s causing the brake noise, have your mechanic inspect your vehicle. It could be a relatively minor issue, such as scraping because something is stuck in the brake rotor. It could also prove a serious problem, such as rotor damage or rust.

Vehicle pulls to one side while braking: Unevenly worn brakes can cause your car to pull to one side. That is generally the fault of a sticking caliper or wheel cylinder issue. While tire and suspension problems can cause such pulling to one side, when brakes are the problem, you may notice heat from the brakes or even the smell of burning.

Noise accompanies other braking issues: Do you hear a brake noise when stopping or a rattling noise when braking? Your mechanic can determine the source of the brake noise. They will also check to make sure the brake pads are installed correctly, as faulty installation may result in constant brake noise.