Why Brakes Squeak When Pads Are Good?

If you’ve ever experienced a high-pitched squealing noise from your brakes, you know how annoying and potentially embarrassing it can be.

You may have checked your brake pads and found they are in good condition, so what could be causing the noise?

In this post, we’ll delve into why brakes can squeak even when the pads are in good shape.

We’ll explore the factors that can contribute to brake noise, including the type of brake pads, the condition of the rotors, and the presence of contaminants.

We’ll also discuss some possible solutions for quieting those pesky squeaks. So, if you’re tired of dealing with squealing brakes, read on for some helpful information.

What If Your New Brakes Are Squeaking?

Pads can squeak because of ceramic or metallic pads or due to moisture. The squeaking caused by this type of movement is usually harmless. There is also the possibility of a foreign object causing squeaks in new brake pads.

Brake pads may become stuck if stones, twigs, or pinecones are lodged between the pads and rotors. You may hear squeaking even if you do not step on the pedal. The rotors of your car may be damaged if that is the case. Take your car to a shop as soon as possible.

Here’s Why Your Brakes Might Be Squeaking

The first thing you think of when you hear your brakes squeaking or squealing is worn brake pads.

You might also have a problem with your brake system, which can result in high-pitched annoyance.

If you have new brake pads that haven’t yet adapted to the rotors, or if the rotors have rust after a night of rain, the cause could be temporary.

There are also times when it can be more serious, such as a mechanical issue with the brake caliper (which holds your brake pads to the rotor to bring your car to a halt).

There is probably no need to worry if the squeal goes away after a few brake applications. When the noise persists, or worse, your brakes begin to lose power; it’s time to get them checked out.

Check out this article for some ideas on what might cause your brakes to squeal if you aren’t sure what’s wrong.

Poor Installation

There are several reasons why brakes don’t work properly, including cheap parts and improper installation techniques. 

The problem is usually caused by a poorly lubricated caliper that sticks. To slow the wheels down, friction is created between the brake pads and pistons within the caliper.

It is possible for a caliper that sticks to reduce the braking performance and cause the car to “drag” as it rubs against the rotor. 

In the end, it wears down the brake pads, resulting in loud scraping sounds. To resolve this issue quickly, you must do so. If possible, bring your vehicle to a mechanic.

Lack Of Lubrication On Drum Brakes

Squealing may occur when drum brakes lack lubrication at the contact points between the shoes and drums. It causes a squeal when the shoes scrape against the backing plate without lubrication.

It is usually easy to determine where the problem is by watching for signs of bare metal exposed when this type of scraping occurs. Adding brake grease to the backing plate where the piston meets the shoes will repair or prevent squeaky drum brakes.

Brakes Need To ‘Warm Up’

Dew and rust can build up overnight on brakes, and this can cause noises such as hissing and grinding. There is also a possibility that brake pads may make noise on rainy mornings. Ideally, the sound will go away once the brake pads scrape the rust off the disc.

Metallic Brake Pads

The brake pad material may sometimes cause squeaky brakes. Among the three types of brake pads, organic, semi-metallic, and ceramic are available.

There are two types of semi-metallic brake pads – semi-metallic and metallic. Semi-metallic brake pads contain between 30% and 65% metal elements, such as iron, steel, graphite, and copper.

This pad may occasionally cause squealing or grinding when it rubs against the rotor. The sound usually disappears as the brake pad wears down past that particular spot or layer. 

If you are bothered by the noise, you might consider choosing pads that contain less metal. Despite being the cheapest option, organic pads are of inferior quality and durability and cause considerable dust.

Additionally, ceramic brake pads have the best quality and performance of all three options. Even though they are more expensive, they are quieter and last longer than ceramic or organic lights.

Your Personal Braking Style

Your brake pads can become coated in a smooth, hard glaze if you repeatedly brake hard and fast, especially at high speeds.

In addition to riding downhill and stopping, glazing can also result from friction-driven temperature spikes that exceed the limits set by conventional brake pads.

The glaze on brake pads prevents them from generating adequate friction to stop the vehicle. There is also the possibility of cracking or fracture. In this case, you will need to replace them.

You should also remember that if there is a mechanical or hydraulic failure in the brake caliper, the brake pads may rub against the rotor even when the brake pedal is not being applied.

This type of accident is possibly the most dangerous since it happens without the driver’s knowledge. Using your finger, feel the brake pad for a smooth, glassy finish to check for glazing.

Replace glazed brake pads after cleaning or resurfacing your rotors, and check calipers and hydraulic systems for mechanical issues or failures. You may also need to change your braking style if glazing becomes a persistent problem.

Overnight Moisture

First thing in the morning, if you hear what seems like a strange noise, chances are the noise is completely normal, especially if you’ve been driving overnight in rain, snow, or humidity.

It is very easy for rust to build up on your brakes’ rotors when moisture collects on them. Your brakes can make a grinding or squealing sound when you apply them.

It is, fortunately, possible to remove rust buildup with normal driving. You can also keep your car indoors to prevent moisture from collecting in your brakes.

Dust Or Debris Between Your Pads And Rotors

Brake squealing is also commonly caused by mud, dust, or other debris that accumulates on the surface of your pads or rotors. Several factors can cause this, such as driving conditions and letting your car sit for a long period.

If you encounter this problem, spraying cleaner on the surface or sanding it down usually fixes it. Depending on how frequently you brake, it might disappear after a few applications, as the friction between the pads and the rotors will wash out the debris.

Popular Methods to Stop Squeaky Brakes

You can silence harmless squeals by upgrading your brake pads to aftermarket ones. In addition to being made to reduce noise, many aftermarket parts are also designed to do so. You can inquire with your local mechanic about your options.

Install A Set Of Shims

Use brake pad shims to prevent noise from your brakes. Some vehicles come with brake pads with shims already installed.

To help prevent brake noise, brake pad shims can be installed on the reverse side of the pads. By absorbing vibration, shims reduce the amount of slack that would otherwise enable brake pads to move. They usually have a small layer of rubber to absorb any squeaks that could occur.

Apply Grease to the Brake Pads

Greasing the contact points may be all it takes to stop your brakes from squeaking if they are new. To do this, you need to remove the brake pads from the calipers and apply grease to all the contact points of the brakes.

There are several points on the caliper carrier and on the backside of the brake pad where contact is made with the brake pad. Grease and oil must not be allowed to build up on brake pad friction surfaces or rotor surfaces.

Cars with Electronic Parking Brakes

Electronic parking brakes are becoming increasingly common on cars and trucks. Special equipment is usually required when servicing an electronic parking brake since it is computer operated.

In these situations, you will most likely have to visit a dealership or a specialist mechanic for service.

Does Insurance cover Brake Pads?

The insurance policy does not cover the basic maintenance of owning a car. Replacement of worn brake pads is part of that process.

Accident-related damage to brake pads may be covered, however. You should check your policy to see if you are covered. In case of a highway collision, fallen trees, vandalism, or stolen wheel, comprehensive or collision insurance could help.

Whenever you are unsure about what’s covered or the specific coverages on your policy, speak with your car insurance provider.

Final Words

Your vehicle’s brakes may be squeaking due to these common causes. In some cases, the fix may simply involve applying grease, but in other cases, you may need a complete brake job. 

As long as your brakes are in normal operation, they should be quiet for most passenger vehicles. But in some cases, noisy brakes are unavoidable. In general, these refer to high-performance cars with heavy-duty braking systems.

As a result of the composition of these brake rotors and pad compounds, these systems are inherently noisy, especially when cold. For extended periods of heavy use, these brakes offer more durability.