Causes of car brakes making noise
Noisy car brakes are both annoying and potentially dangerous, possibly leading to accidents.
While driving, drivers may hear strange noises coming from the brakes. This noise seems harmless but can signal abnormalities in the brake assembly. So, what causes car brakes to make noise:
Worn brake pads
Worn brake pads are one of the reasons why the brakes make noise when you brake. After a period of use, the metal surface behind the brake pads wears down. When this happens, the metal bars collide with each other and make an unpleasant noise.
Loud squealing brakes mean that the car's brake pads only have about 15% of their lifespan left. At this point, the car owner should replace the brake pads as soon as possible.
Poor quality brake pads
Brake noise is also caused by poor quality brake pads. Poor quality brake pads do not come with new clamps. These clamps help reduce vibration when braking and the clamps are not up to standard, which causes noise. In addition, uneven brake pad material causes uneven contact with the brake discs and warping. This creates a gap between the rotor and the brake pads. Dirt can then easily stick to them, creating a louder noise.
Brake assembly has water/moisture
After driving in the rain or washing the car and parking for a long time, when using it, the brakes will likely make strange noises. The reason is that the brake assembly is wet, water sticks to the metal causing oxidation, forming a thin layer of rust on the surface of the brake disc. When the car moves, the rust rubs against the brake parts, causing noise.
Use non-standard brake pads
According to experts, the use of high-performance brake pads is more likely to cause strange noises than standard brake pads. The reason is that these brake pads have high friction, shorten the stopping distance, increase the accuracy when braking, thereby emitting more noise.
New brake parts replaced
Newly replaced brake pads or discs can also make strange noises. This is because the surface of the brake pads has not worn evenly with the brake disc or the disc has a protective layer against rust. Therefore, experts recommend running the brake parts in when replacing new parts to eliminate strange noises.
Brake caliper pin lacks lubrication
If the brake caliper is not lubricated, it will make an unpleasant noise. However, this situation rarely happens. In this case, the technician will replace the caliper.
