Common causes for your noisy brakes
Common causes for your noisy brakes
It’s a sound that everyone dreads—that ear-piercing shriek that sometimes happens when you press your brake pedal. Not only is it annoying, but it can also be a sign of a bigger problem.
What are some of the common causes of noisy brakes? Let’s take a look at the four most common brake noises and the kind of issues they can indicate.
1. Grinding
Brake grinding might not be as common as some of the other sounds, but they can be a sign of a much larger problem. Brakes work by using hydraulic pressure to push the brake pads or shoes against metal rotors or drums to slow the tires, and thus, slow your car.
Grinding noises can indicate that the brake pads or shoes have worn completely away and all that remains is the metal backing of the pad or shoe pressing against the metal of the brake rotor. Not only can this issue make it more difficult for the brakes to stop the car, but it can also cause damage to the other parts of the brake system, turning a small, relatively inexpensive job into a large and costly one.
The best solution? Prevent this problem before it ever happens by replacing your brake pads before they are completely worn out. Most brake pads are good for about 50,000 miles of driving, but some need to be replaced after 25,000 miles, or can go as long as 70,000 miles, so consult your shop to learn more about the particular brake pads in your vehicle.
2. Thumping
If pressing the brakes results in a thumping noise, it could be a sign of a couple of different problems, depending on where the thumping is coming from.
Older cars—and even some newer ones—have drum brakes in the rear end. Thumping in the rear of the vehicle could indicate a problem with the rear brake drums—but this is a problem that can be difficult to diagnose. If your rear brakes are thumping, it’s important to have your brakes examined by a professional.
Thumping from the front brakes can be an indicator of rotor damage. Cars that sit outside are prone to rotor rust, which can cause[…]
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