John ButlerGot some squeaky brakes? You may be able to fix them right at home. The first thing you need to do is to figure out what’s causing the squeaking noise. This guide will help you with that. Keep in mind that all properly installed brakes make some noise while stopping. If you hear noise, but none of these noises seem unusual to you, chances are your brakes are still good. But, they shouldn’t squeal or squeak.
If your brakes sound squeaky, you came to the right place. We’ll go over the 5 most common causes of squeaky brakes and how to fix each one:
1. The Rotors And Brake Pads Don’t Match
Sometimes the pads and rotors aren’t designed or spec’d to work together. This happens when you use aftermarket brake pads with OEM rotors, or vice versa. Sometimes a pair of aftermarket brake pads isn’t compatible with aftermarket rotors.
The brake pads may be too hard or soft for the rotors. Brake pads with friction material that doesn’t match the rotors will vibrate excessively, which causes a squeaky or squealing noise.
There are two easy ways to fix this:
- Buy new brake pads and rotors to ensure harmony between the parts
- Change just the brake pads in favor of a better matched material
If you need a new set of rotors or brake pads, look no further than BuyBrakes.com!
We carry brake parts for all makes and models. We carry the following parts among other brake system components:
- Brake kits (with properly paired rotors and pads)
- Brake pads
- Brake rotors
2. Poor Quality Brake Pads
Are you confident that you bought the right brake pads for your rotors? If you bought pads off the shelf at a local retailer, chances are the brake pads are low quality. This is pretty common with aftermarket pads. Sometimes the quality isn’t what the manufacturer advertised. Most commonly:
- The material composition is not ideal (especially if it contains metal fibers)
- The brake pads produce too much dust
In this situation, the only thing you can do is to replace the brake pads. At BuyBrakes.com, we carry high quality brake pads by reputable brands. If you call or text us, we’ll be happy to help you find a pair that’s compatible with your rotors.
3. Brake Rotors In Poor Condition
If you have brake rotors that aren’t in good condition, they may cause a squeaking noise. Your rotors may have irregular wear.
Brake rotors that are in poor condition won’t work well with any brake pads. This can cause a squeaking noise. If you’re in this situation, either:
- Have the rotors resurfaced
- Replace the rotors
4. Your Driving Habits
Maybe your brake system is properly installed and in good condition. It’s possible that your driving habits is the reason you have squeaky brakes. If you have any of the following driving habits, chances are it’s the reason behind the squeaky brakes:
- Hard braking followed by sitting at a stoplight with your foot on the brake
- Riding the brakes
Standard brake pads work best with moderate braking. Hard braking causes the pads to heat up. If this is followed by sitting at a stoplight, very small amounts of pad material transfer to the rotor. You can’t see it, but it can cause squeaking.
If you find that it’s the reason your brakes are squeaky, here are some options for you:
- Replace the brake pads with something more suited to your driving style
- Here a shop resurface the rotors
- Change your driving habits
5. Stuck Caliper Pins
Sometimes the brakes get stuck in the “on” position. Your brake calipers have two guide pins that guide the caliper’s motion when you apply the brakes. Sometimes one or both guidepins become corroded. This can cause the brake pad to remain in contact with the rotor at all times. Sometimes it can be stuck at an angle. When this happens, glazing occurs, which leads to a squeaky noise.
There are two ways to fix this:
- Replace the stuck caliper guide pins
- Replace the calipers and the pins
You may also need to replace the rotors and brake pads too, if you find the damage to be too bad.
The Importance Of Matching The Rotors And Brake Pads
Brake systems shouldn’t squeak or make noise if the rotors and pads are properly paired. If you buy a pad and rotor kit from a quality manufacturer, your brakes shouldn’t squeak or squeal. It’s because the rotors and the pads will be “matched”. Therefore, they’ll work the way they’re supposed to.
If you are facing the reality of squeaky brakes, you can always contact us at BuyBrakes. Feel free to call or text us at 702-903-1713. We’ll be happy to help you find the right replacement parts for your brakes!
