Why Are My Brakes Squeaking?

Ever pressed your foot down on your brake pedal and been accosted by a long, shrill squeaking noise? That's the sound of unhealthy brakes, but why are they making this awful noise? If you've been wondering why are my brakes squeaking?, then you're in the right place. This helpful article is brought to you by the team at Fred Beans Subaru, and it'll help you determine just why your brakes are squeaking and what to do about it, so you can stay safe on all of your drives around Doylestown and Philadelphia.

What Causes Squeaking Brakes?

There's a number of reasons that your brakes may start making a squeaking noise, and it's not always as serious as you might think. There's also different kinds of brakes, each with different parks that can cause the squealing.

Disc Brakes: These brakes have a pad that presses onto a rotor when you depress the brake pedal, bringing the wheels to a stop. Squeaking can be caused by:

• If squeaking seems to only occur in the morning, the squeak could simply be caused by moisture or rain the night before.
• Worn, thinning brake pads are the most likely cause of disc brake squeaking, which is a sign that the brake pads need to be replaced. This is normal, so you should expect to replace the brake pads periodically. 
• What if you just got replacement brake pads and they're already squeaking? This is likely a sign that you've been given cheap, low-quality brake pads with a high metal content.

Drum Brakes: These brakes are typically used on the rear wheels of a vehicle, where a set of pads creates friction against a brake drum to bring the vehicle to a stop. Drum brake squeaking can be caused by:

• The brakes may need to be lubricated. Once the lubrication on these brakes has worn away, they'll begin to rust, so it's important to be sure they're properly maintained to ensure the longest possible life.
• If the squeaking is persistent, it's likely that the brakes are already rusted. If so, they'll likely need to be replaced.

Other Causes of Squeaky Brakes: These more general causes apply to any kind of brakes.

• Typically, any kind of brakes will make a consistent and loud squeaking sound when they're down to their  last 25% of use, indicating that they need to be replaced as soon as possible.
• Squeaky brakes can also be caused by rusted rotors, which will also need to be replaced right away.
• If you have a tendency to slam on your brakes to come to a stop quickly, they may make a loud squealing noise simply because you're screeching to a halt.

Where Can I Get My Brakes Repaired near Me? 

If your brakes are squeaking for any of the reasons above, or if you can't determine the cause of the noise, you'll want to get them inspected by an expert mechanic. Contact Fred Beans Subaru today to schedule an appointment at our service center, and we'll make sure your car is safe to drive on all your commutes around Doylestown and Philadelphia.