Why Are My Brakes Squeaking?

Whether you’re heading to Frances Slocum State Park to spend a day with family or friends in nature or enjoying a moment of serenity by the waterfalls at Seven Tubs Recreation Area, the last thing you want to be concerned about is your vehicle’s brakes.

However, if you’ve noticed noises that have made you wonder, “Why are my brakes squeaking?” your model could be overdue for brake service. Read on to learn more about the issues that could be causing the strange noises, then contact us at Tunkhannock Ford to have them fixed.

Brake Pads

If you hear a squeaking sound when braking, this could be caused by worn brake pads. Your vehicle’s brake pads operate by squeezing against the rotors and causing friction, which helps to slow down the wheels and bring them to a stop.

Brake pads are typically composed of rubber, with semi-metallic substances and other fillers. When they begin to wear down, they expose more of your brake system’s metal components to each other. The screeching or grinding sound that you hear could be this metal-on-metal rubbing. It will become increasing louder as the pads wear down and the exposure of metal progresses.

Rotors

The rotors attach to your car’s axles and are an important part of the brake system. At times, they may experience uneven wear or become warped due to excessive heat buildup or continuous hard braking.

It’s recommended that the rotors be replaced every 50,000 to 70,000 miles. However, if you’ve exceeded that time frame, warped rotors could be contributing to the screeching or grinding noise you’re hearing.

Warped rotors will prevent the brake pads from making complete contact with them. This, again, will result in more metal-on-metal friction and can increase the likelihood of the rotors wearing out much faster than they should.

Weather and Environmental Conditions

Another cause for the squeaking noise you’re hearing from your brake system could be weather or environmental conditions. High moisture and humidity, extreme cold, and extreme heat all impact the materials in the products we use. This includes your vehicle’s components.

If you take a look through the openings in the wheel covers and see the rotors, you may notice a little rust. This is normal and is caused by moisture in the air. A sufficient amount of this is usually scraped off during driving, so this is usually not a problem. However, it can cause a little screeching when you initially start during wet weather.

If you have recently driven through a particularly dusty area, dirt particles may have become attached to the rotors. Again, in a short amount of time, these should naturally be removed by the brake pads as you drive.

Why Are Your Brakes Squeaking? We Can Find Out!

To keep your vehicle safe and to have the peace of mind that comes with driving a vehicle in top shape, call us for an appointment. We’ll answer the question, “Why are my brakes squeaking?” Our service technicians at Tunkhannock Ford will work efficiently to diagnose and fix whatever issues they find. 

Contact Our Team Today