Following your regular brake maintenance schedule and replacing worn-out pads are excellent ways to keep your brakes in good working order. You wouldn’t expect to hear any worrying brake noises after replacing your pads. But what if you hear your new brakes squeak? This article will explain why this happens.
Is It Normal For New Brakes to Squeak?
Brake noises, particularly squeaking, are normal after installing new brake pads. It’s also common to hear your brakes squeak due to surface rust as moisture can accumulate when your vehicle is parked overnight.
However, your brakes can also squeak because of underlying problems like low-quality brake pads, damage due to hard braking, poor lubrication, and stuck calipers. It’s crucial to watch the symptoms closely and take your ride to an auto repair shop to ensure that your brakes are in good condition.
Common Causes of Squeaking Brakes
Here are some of the reasons why your brakes might squeak even if they’re new:
Brake Pad Material
If you own a high-performance vehicle with semi-metallic pads, it’s normal for your brakes to squeak after installing new pads. That’s because these pads have metal fibers in them. The metal on your pads will rub against the rotor, creating a squeaking noise.
Quality
Low-quality brake pads are more prone to squeaking because they tend to produce more brake dust. Once the brake dust gets in between the caliper and the piston, it can produce various brake noises. Make sure to get your brake pads from legitimate sources to ensure their quality.
Moisture
Rain or snow can create corrosion on the surface of your rotors, causing your brakes to squeak. But don’t be worried. Surface rust typically disappears as you drive, so you can expect the squeaking to stop eventually.
Your Pads Just Need to Break-In
During the break-in period, an even layer of brake pad material shifts to the brake rotors. Also called bedding, this process ensures that your pads are in sync with your rotors, reducing brake noise.
Panic Stopping
Your driving style can affect your brakes. Frequent hard braking can produce too much heat and cause glazing on your pads. The glaze or glossy surface on the pads can cause a squeaking noise. Although mechanics can usually fix the problem by smoothing your pads’ surface, you wouldn’t want to risk your brake’s efficiency all because of your driving habits.
Lack of Lubrication
Poor lubrication might be an issue if your vehicle is equipped with drum brakes. Your ride’s brake shoes should be properly lubricated so that they won’t scrape against the backing plate. This issue can easily be fixed by applying brake grease to the backing plate or the connecting areas of the shoes and the drum.
Stuck Caliper
A more serious issue like a stuck caliper can cause squeaking. Even if you’ve recently had worn pads replaced, it’s still possible for your brakes to squeak. Calipers are supposed to push the pads against the rotors when you press down the brake pedal. Once these calipers get stuck, the pads can forcibly be squeezed against the rotors. This can produce noticeable brake noise.
What to Do When You Hear Your New Brakes Squeak
Although it’s normal for some new brakes to squeak, you should take your vehicle to an auto repair shop right away if the squeaking doesn’t stop. If you notice reduced braking efficiency along with the noise, there might be problems other than surface rust.
The Importance of Proper Brake Maintenance and Repair
When you buy a vehicle, you are responsible for keeping your brakes in good condition. Many states have rules in place to monitor and regulate brake repair to ensure that all work is done safely. Although the laws vary from state to state, all states require a particular license for brake technicians.
Brake Maintenance Tips Every Driver Should Know About
Here are some tips for taking care of your car’s brakes:
Avoid Heavy Loads
The heavier your vehicle is, the more difficult it is for the brakes to bring it to a halt. Although it is sometimes unavoidable, removing unnecessary things from your vehicle will greatly benefit your brakes. Similarly, driving through mountains, steep hills, and rugged terrains regularly might place too much strain on your brakes. If you’re an off-roader, make sure to have your brakes checked regularly to make sure all your trips are safe.
Check Your Brake Fluid
Brake fluid is crucial to the operation of your brake system. This fluid exerts pressure on the brake pads, causing them to press on the brake discs and put your ride to a stop. But unfortunately, this fluid can also absorb water. In fact, according to a survey conducted by the National Highway Traffic Administration (NHTSA), 20% of the 1,720 vehicles evaluated had 5% or more water in their brake fluid.
Therefore, moisture from your brake fluid can cause corrosion, which can ruin your brake components. Water can also reduce the fluid’s boiling point and reduce your brake efficiency. Regularly flushing your brake fluid can help avoid these issues. If you’re not sure when to have your brake fluid flushed, consult your owner’s manual or talk to a trusted mechanic.
Bleed Your Brake Lines
Aside from flushing your brake fluid, it’s also a must to bleed your brake lines to remove excess air. If your brake pedal feels spongy, it might be time to bleed your brakes. Experts say this process should be done every two to three years. If your ride is scheduled for a brake inspection, you might want to consult your trusted mechanic if it’s already time to bleed your brake lines.
Replace Worn Components
Lastly, you shouldn’t think twice about replacing faulty brake components. There are many top-notch brake pads, calipers, and rotors available on the market, so you’ll have no problem finding a replacement that’ll fit your ride.
If you’d like to know more about brake maintenance, check out our Ultimate Brake Maintenance Guide.
