Why Are My Brakes Squeaking?

Your car’s brakes are its most important safety feature. As such, it can be cause for concern if your brakes are squeaking, squealing or making other loud, unpleasant noises.

There are several reasons why your brakes may be squeaking, including the cold weather in Salt Lake City, UT. But no matter the reason, if your brakes are consistently loud, you should take your car to an auto repair shop so that they can investigate the cause of your brakes squeaking and fix it. If you’re wondering why your brakes are squeaking, read on to learn more about this phenomenon.

Dirt, dust and sand

It’s possible that foreign particles like dirt, dust, rocks or sand can make their way into your braking system, causing your brakes to squeak. These can accumulate over time and a brake technician can get them cleared out.

Moisture

If you park your car outside overnight, the moisture in the air from the dew on the ground or any rain that falls can dampen your brake pads and brake rotors. This moisture can cause your brakes to squeak. While this could cause rust over time, in the short term, once the water is washed away, your brakes should stop squeaking.

Cold weather and temperature changes

The frigid December and January air in Salt Lake City, UT can cause temperatures to dip well below freezing, and this can produce a squeaking noise from your brakes, especially if your car is parked outside overnight. This isn’t anything to worry about, though, as once your brake pads and brake rotors heat up, the noise should stop.

Wear indication

These next few points are going to be more serious, and will likely necessitate you getting your squeaking brakes fixed. Sometimes when your brakes squeak, it is meant as a signal for you to get your brakes checked. The way it works is that some brake pads are equipped with a small steel clip that makes a squeaking noise when the functional friction material is worn down, letting you know it’s time to take your car in. Don’t ignore this warning sound!

Worn-out or missing parts

The brakes on your car are a finely-tuned system, and if any of the parts are well worn, loose or not where they should be, this could lead to your brakes squeaking. The absence of small parts can spell trouble for your brake pads, as they may be subject to excessive friction, overheating or uneven wear.

Glazed brakes

One source of brake-squealing is when an abundance of friction causes brake calipers to become sticky and then get stuck, leaving the brake in a state where it is constantly being applied. This is awfully bad for the brake pads and rotors, as it can cause them to overheat and then crystallize, reducing their effectiveness when braking over time.

Get your brakes checked out today

This list is non-exhaustive, as there are numerous reasons why your brakes may be squeaking. When it comes to a mechanism as important as your brakes, it’s better to be safe than sorry. If you hear your brakes squeaking, you should plan to get them fixed quickly. When you do, be sure to call the team at AMR Auto Repair & Towing in Salt Lake City, UT. We offer 24/7 service, ASE-certified technicians and two decades of experience. If your brakes are making noise, we’ll stop the squeak and keep you and your loved ones safe.

Categorised in: Auto Repair Shop

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