Only too often we stop at a traffic light, and hear a car coming to a grinding halt, with brakes squealing. One is inclined to think that there is something wrong with those brakes, but is that true? Let’s find out. You have car insurance. You care about your car. Now what about your brakes?
NOT ALL BRAKE SQUEALS ARE THE SAME – THERE ARE SEVERAL TYPES
It’s difficult to ignore brake squeals, particularly if the noise begins to worsen. However, there are several types of squealing caused by brakes.
THE FIRST TYPE OF SQUEAL IS CAUSED BY WATER AND RUST ON DISC BRAKES
Any moisture from rain or dew on the brakes can cause them to squeal in the morning. Moisture gets onto the disc or rotor surface, causing rust to form overnight. When brakes are applied the next morning, the brake pads scrape the rust off the disc surface. The front edge of each pad collects rust particles, causing a squealing noise when brakes are applied. This type of squealing can be eliminated if a car is stored in a drier place such as inside a garage.
WHY DOES A BRAKE INDICATOR INSIDE A BRAKE PAD CAUSE SQUEALING?
Metal brake wear indicators are embedded deep inside brake pads. When a brake pad has neared the end of its life, the disc brake will start touching the metal wear indicator. This causes the brakes to squeal, warning the driver that it is time to replace the brake pads.
WHAT ARE BRAKE WEAR INDICATORS?
Wear indicators consist of small metal tabs made of hardened steel. They keep on squealing to the driver to replace the pads. However, if drivers continue to ignore those irritating sounds, then eventually the brake pads will become so thin, that, eventually, the metal callipers that hold the brake pads will be touching the discs themselves, causing a grinding noise. This is serious, because of possible damage to the discs, and may result in having to replace them.
INFERIOR BRAKE PADS CAN PRODUCE A SQUEALING SOUND
Another type of squeal is caused by cheap brake pads with a high metal content. The metal is not evenly distributed, but appears as large pieces in the pad material. It’s these metal pieces that cause the squealing sound when brakes are applied. You may have to hear this type of squealing for the rest of the life of the brake pads. This may be a long time, seeing most pads last about 50 000 to 60 000 km. Rather use brake pads that have a high percentage of organic material such as rubber, and resin. The metal particles in the brake pads can make it difficult to keep chrome or aluminium wheels clean.
ANOTHER TYPE OF SQUEAL IS CAUSED BY DRUM BRAKES
Rear drum brakes can squeal when their shoe-to-backing-plate contacts are not properly lubricated. When these points are not lubricated, rust will set in. Lubrication of these points will remove this sound. Caliper slide pins should also be lubricated.
WHAT CAN CAUSE A GRINDING NOISE?
Slight leaking of brake fluid onto a rear drum brake can also cause a grinding noise first thing in the morning. This is because the brake fluid leak has dried from the last braking event. The resulting fluid residue causes a grinding noise until that has been worn way after the first few braking events.
WHAT ABOUT A THUMPING NOISE FROM THE REAR?
A thumping noise from the rear of the car does unfortunately mean trouble, and will likely be due faulty rear brakes.
A SCRAPING NOISE MEANS WHAT?
Sometimes, a stone may land inside the brake and get stuck, causing a scraping sound. All it takes is to remove such a stone.
Having described these sounds, it is still difficult to decide exactly what sound is caused by what. At the first sign of some braking sound, it is better and safest to let a garage check it out.
Disclaimer:
This article was prepared by Eric Sandmann in his personal capacity. The views and opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not reflect the views and opinions of Prime Meridian Direct (Pty) Ltd, FSP41040.The views and opinions in the article should not be attributed to anyone but the author unless expressly stated. Nothing in this article should be relied upon as advice, this publication is presented for informational purposes only. No person should act or refrain from acting in reliance on any information found in this article, without first obtaining proper financial advice from the appropriate professional. The author makes no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, or completeness, of any information linked from, referred to, or contained in this article. The author reserves the right, to edit and change the content of this article.
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