Do your brakes make noise after you just bought or replaced them? Well, this is a common problem, but it can be very frustrating and annoying.
There are several things that can cause new brakes to squeak. Sometimes, the problem could be a serious mechanical mistake that needs to be looked at right away by a professional. Sometimes it’s a small problem that you can fix yourself.
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This article tells you all you need to know about why new brakes make noise. It explains why new brake pads and rotors can make brakes squeak and how to fix the problem.
Reasons Why New Brakes Squeak
First of all, it’s important to know that there are two different kinds of brakes.
Disc brakes
They are the most common kind of brakes in cars today. With disc brakes, to stop the car, the pad presses against a rotor or disc.
Drum brakes
Drum brakes are usually on the back wheels of cars. They stop the car by having a curved pad press against a hollow drum.
Squeaky and noisy brakes could be as a result of
- The pads have metal fibres in them
Most brake pads have small pieces of metal on them. But pads that are cheap and not very good have a lot of metal in them.
The metal pieces that are pressed into the pad are too close together. They are also usually very big. So, they drag on the motor and make it squeak in an annoyingly high-pitched way.
Plenty and large metal content also makes a lot of metal dust, which gets on the wheels. So, your aluminium or chrome wheels turn a different colour.
Disc brakes often have this problem.
- Things that just happen
When it’s damp or rainy, your car brakes may make hissing or squeaking sounds. This is normal, since a lot of moisture builds up on the rotors while they’re resting at night.
Because of this, a thin layer of rust builds up on the rotors. When you start the engine, the rotors spin and scrape the iron discs to remove a thin layer of rust. This is what makes something squeak.
The noise might keep going for a while, until the pads get warm enough to get rid of all the water.
- Lubrication issues
Have you ever had brakes that squeak as soon as you step on the brake pedal? The rear brakes are making that noise.
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It means that you need to grease the points where the shoe meets the backing plate. If you don’t do it right away, the metal will rust.
When the shoes rust, they rub against the back plate. As a result, every time the wheels turn, they start to squeak.
- Brake pads that are thin
As brake pads wear out, they get thinner and thinner until they are almost transparent. So, when you press the brake pedal, they rub against the brake disc and make a squeaking sound.
Most cars have sensors that let you know when the brake pads are getting too thin.
- Loose Parts
The brake system is made up of different parts. They are the pads, callipers, discs, anti-rattle clips, and hoses.
If one of these parts comes loose, it makes a squeaky sound.
Why Your Brakes Squeak After New Pads and Rotors
- Excessive brake dust
Most squeaky brakes happen when dust gets stuck between the rotor and the calliper after the pads and rotors have been changed.
A professional mechanic will always spray brake cleaner on the rotors and callipers after changing the pads and rotors. By doing this, you get rid of any dust that gets stuck between these two pieces.
If the mechanic skips this step, you can expect the brakes to make noise.
The best way to get rid of too much dust is to first take off the tyres. Then, spray the brake cleaner on the rotor and calliper. Let it dry for a minute or two before putting the tyre back on.
- Installation went wrong
When you change the brake pads, you have to resurface the rotors as well. Before bending the pads into the rotors, it is best to sand them.
Also, you should put anti-seize on the back of new pads before putting them in. Also, the brake pins should be cleaned and greased well.
When the brakes are set up right, they shouldn’t make noise that can be heard inside the car.
- Debris that got stuck between the calliper and the rotor
Most of the time, rocks and gravel get stuck in the calliper. When they get between the rotor and the calliper, they make grinding noises and annoying vibrations.
You can hear this squeak even when you are going slowly and haven’t touched the brake pedal.
Debris is dangerous because it can damage the rotor so much that it needs to be replaced. Also, it can cause the brake pads to wear down unevenly and get out of place.
- Stop in a hurry/Hard stopping
A panic stop is a very dangerous thing to do. It warms up the brakes, which leaves a shiny finish on your brake pad and makes a squeaking sound.
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Take your car to a mechanic if this happens. A good mechanic will take off the pads and sand them so that the smooth, shiny surface is no longer there.
- Car sits for a long time without being used
Leaving your car in the garage for a long time is not good for your health. Motors rust and break down even when they are brand new because of the effects of bad weather and sitting still.
Make sure you drive your car as much as possible after the repair.
- Shims that are old
People often forget about shims after they’ve changed the pads and rotors. Shims that are broken or worn out will always be visible after the other parts have been changed.
When you get new brake pads, remind your mechanic to change the shim. Worn-out shims tend to touch the rotor and other parts of the brake system.
So, when you drive, the parts that touch will always make a squeaking sound.
How to Fix Squeaky Brakes
Always park your car in a garage or somewhere with a controlled temperature at night. This keeps water from getting on your rotors, which makes your brakes squeak.
Change the kind of pads you are using to something else. Because of quality issues, you should only buy original parts from a reputable auto dealer.
The best brake pads are those that have a lot of organic material in them. Some of them are rubber, Kevlar, resin, and fibre.
Always grease the parts of your brake system that touch each other. You can either use lube or an anti-seize product for high temperatures.
Frequently Asked Questions
When new brakes are put on, why do they squeak?
When new brakes are put on, they can squeak for a number of reasons. The most important ones are too much brake dust, stopping quickly, dirt on the rotor, and bad cold weather.
How long do new brakes make noise before they stop?
There is no set amount of time for brakes and cars to squeak. It depends on how well the brakes work and how well the car owner takes care of it. It will last longer if it has a high-quality braking system and is checked by a professional every so often.
Conclusion
To sum it all, just like old brakes, new brakes are also liable to squeaking. It’s a common problem that you can fix yourself or with the help of a mechanic.
But this is a frustrating thing to go through, so you need to take the right steps to avoid it. Quality and regular checks are the most important things to watch out for in your brake system.
Sources: https://micdot.com
Category: Car
