Ideally your brakes shouldn’t be making a lot of noise at all. Sure, they do make some noise, but if the sounds you’re hearing are louder than usual or are new sounds, Sammy’s Auto wants you to be aware of what might be happening.
Worn Brake Pads
Your brake pads are designed to wear down. But when they wear down too far or when they reach the wear tabs, they’re going to make some noise. You’ll get to the wear tabs first, and that’s a noise that’s designed to get your attention but it isn’t usually a scary noise. If you ignore the wear tabs, you’ll eventually wear the pads down even more and that can start to get loud and maybe kind of scary sounding.
Worn Brake Parts
Other parts on the brakes can wear down too, like the calipers and the rotors. Each of these parts has a specific role to play in safely stopping your vehicle, so when they can’t do their job they might get pretty noisy. Groans, clunks, and other types of sounds are among the sounds you might hear. You could also hear whining sounds if your wheel bearings are failing.
Glazing on the Brake Pads
Brake pads can get noisy for other reasons, too. If you ride your brakes or they get overheated for another reason, the surface of the pad can form something called a glaze. This is a hardening of that outer surface that changes the normal surface feel. When the pad makes contact with the rotor again, that glazing grinds away and it’s not quiet about it.
Rust or Moisture on the Brakes
If your car tends to sit or the weather has been damp, you might have moisture in the brake parts. That can quickly contribute to rust, too. Both can cause your brakes to be louder and to make some weird sounds for the first few times you use the brakes again. If you suspect this is the source of the noise and the sounds don’t stop after a little while, there may be more going on.
It’s never a good idea to play around with your car’s brakes. They’re a huge safety item on your car, and Sammy’s Auto in Seffner, FL wants you to be as safe as possible while you’re on the road. If you’re noticing any changes in how your brakes feel or sound, call us today and let us inspect the brakes for you.
