Do you ever find yourself wondering why your brakes are squeaking? You’re not alone. Some of the most common issues that drivers notice out on the road are loud squeaking, squealing, and grinding noises when braking.
Hearing these brake noises is almost always a sign that something is wrong, but not all brake noises mean the same thing. Some are simply the first early warning signs that your brakes are starting to wear down, while others are a lot more urgent and may require immediate attention.
Either way, being able to decode what each of these noises means can help you figure out what’s wrong and whether or not you need to bring your car in for an inspection or repairs. So, if your brakes are making noises, here is everything you need to know about what these sounds mean, what causes them, and when it’s time to bring your car to a mechanic.
Why Brake Health Matters
Your brakes are easily one of the most important safety features that your car has. Even while many drivers take their ability to stop for granted, braking systems are a modern marvel that require a whole system of different parts to work together to bring your car to a stop.
When you press down on your brake pedal, it activates the hydraulic system, which in turn causes the brake pads to compress onto the rotors. This creates friction, which then slows the car down until it comes to a complete stop. It sounds simple enough, but even a partial failure in any of these parts can have big consequences that drastically affect your ability to keep both those inside and outside of your car safe.
For this reason, it is incredibly important to keep your brakes well-maintained and react quickly if you start hearing any loud noises when you try to stop.
Common Brake Noises and What They Mean
Brakes can make all sorts of different noises, and being able to differentiate between them can go a long way to helping you figure out what the problem is and how urgent it may be. If you start hearing loud noises when trying to stop, here is a quick overview of some of the most common sounds you might hear and what they mean.
Squeaking and Squealing Brakes
Easily one of the most common noises that drivers hear when pressing the brakes is squeaking and squealing. While a little bit of squeaking and squealing may be completely normal due to overnight moisture or dust buildup, if the problem persists, it’s likely that worn brake pads are to blame.
Brake pads are designed with a small metal wear indicator that starts to scrape against the rotor as they get thinner due to normal wear and tear. The good news here is that if you start hearing this noise, the indicator is just doing its job, and you still have plenty of time before the situation becomes particularly dangerous.
However, you should still make a point to schedule a break inspection to ensure that the problem doesn’t get worse. Sometimes the fix is as simple as cleaning the brakes, while other times you may need to replace the brake pads or resurface your rotors.
Grinding Noises When Braking
Hearing a grinding noise when braking is a more serious situation than simple squeaking and squealing. If you hear grinding, it almost always means that the brake pads have worn down completely, and the metal baking plate is now rubbing against the rotor every time you try to slow down.
This is a big problem because it doesn’t just significantly reduce your ability to come to a stop quickly and safely. If you continue to ignore the problem, the metal-on-metal scraping will damage your rotors, leading to the need for more costly repairs down the road.
If you find yourself asking the question, “What does it mean when your brakes grind?,” the answer is that your car needs immediate attention from a professional mechanic. Driving with grinding brakes is undoubtedly very unsafe and can lead to a complete brake failure that has the potential to cause a serious accident. If you hear grinding, you should avoid driving until a professional mechanic can inspect your vehicle and fix whatever is causing the grinding sound.
Car Shaking and Vibrating When Braking
Another big red flag to look out for is when your car vibrates when braking. While there certainly will be a noise that you hear when this happens, this is a lot more of something that you will feel in the steering wheel and brake pedal when you try to slow down.
The most common causes of this particular braking issue are either warped rotors that create an uneven surface for the brake pad to grip onto or unevenly worn brake pads. In both of these cases, it’s important to note that letting any of the above sounds persist for too long has a high likelihood of causing these issues to occur.
Not only is experiencing car shaking when braking uncomfortable, but it’s also incredibly dangerous. In addition to reducing braking power, vibrations and shaking can make it a lot harder to properly control your vehicle, especially at highway speeds. This means that if you start to hear or feel any sort of shaking whatsoever, you should bring your car to a mechanic as soon as possible.
Other Common Symptoms of Brake Issues
Loud, unsettling noises aren’t the only symptoms of potential brake issues. In fact, while loud squeaking, squealing, and grinding noises are some of the most common and obvious symptoms of brake problems, there are still a few others that every driver should be aware of if they want to stay safe.
Spongy or Soft Brake Pedal
One of the most common non-noise-related symptoms of brake problems is the brake pedal feeling spongy and soft as you press down on it. Your brake pedal should always feel firm and responsive when you push it down, and if it doesn’t, it is often an indication that there is something wrong with the hydraulic system.
Some of the most common causes of spongy, soft brakes include:
- Air in the brake lines that reduces fluid pressure
- Old or contaminated brake fluid that’s lost its effectiveness
- Master brake cylinder problems that lead to brake fluid leaks
Hydraulic issues within the braking system are something that you would never be able to point out because of a noise, but they are no less dangerous than worn-down brake pads or warped rotors. So, if your brake pedal is feeling spongier than normal, requiring you to push down a lot harder for the brakes to actually engage, you need to go to a professional mechanic for an inspection immediately.
Burning Smell Coming From Brakes
If you notice a burning smell coming from your brakes, especially after driving downhill or braking particularly hard, this is something that requires immediate action. Burning smells happen when your brakes overheat, which in turn can be because the brake pads are too worn out or your brake calipers are stuck rubbing against the rotor.
While this is a sign that there is already a problem with your braking system, overheating can also cause further damage that prevents the brakes from being able to generate enough friction to stop the car safely. In extreme cases, it could even cause your brakes and tires to catch on fire.
This compounding damage makes it overheating particularly dangerous, so if you smell burning, you should pull over and let your brakes cool before going to a mechanic for inspection and repairs.
When Should You See a Mechanic
Almost every driver will hear occasional squeaking and squealing coming from their brakes, especially after rain or cold weather. However, if that squeaking and squealing persists or turns into grinding, vibrating, or any other issue, it’s time to go see a professional mechanic to fix your brakes.
Brake systems are incredibly complex, but a trained mechanic will be able to inspect every part of the braking system, diagnose the problem, and implement a solution that ensures your safety along with everyone else out on the road with you.
Regardless of what symptoms you’re experiencing, the most important thing to remember is that time is of the essence. If you want to keep yourself safe and avoid any unnecessarily costly repairs, don’t ignore your squeaking brakes. Contact an experienced mechanic as soon as you can.
Contact Welsh Automotive Today
Are your brakes making loud squeaking, squealing, or grinding noises? Do you suspect that you may have other braking issues that could affect the safety of your vehicle? Give us a call at (610) 524-5437 or request an appointment on our website.
Our team of automotive experts is always here to answer your questions and will happily help you schedule the specific services you need to keep your brakes in pristine condition. Don’t wait until your brakes give out completely. Contact Welsh Automotive and schedule your next brake service today!