You identified that your car breaks have a problem, and you did the right thing by going ahead and replacing them. Now that you’re back on the road, you’re hard-pressed to understand why there’s noise coming from these new parts.
In this article, we are going to answer the reason why your new breaks are squeaking and what you can do to get rid of that irritating sound. Additionally, we’ll look at what’s normal and what perhaps is a cause of concern based on the breaks you have.
Contents
Reason why car brakes squeak after getting replaced
Here, we’ll look at the primary reason why your brand-new breaks are being problematic in the sound department.
There is what’s typical and what’s not, but we’ll explore each to let you know what to do when you hear the squeak. We will look at the problem and give a practical solution for it.
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Metal content from the brake pads
Problem:
The car brake pads from your average vehicle are typically made from semi-metallic material. The reason for that is they don’t tend to go above 400 degrees Fahrenheit at any one time no matter how much you brake.
For that, reason these brake pads work perfectly. That combination is semi-metallic material that tends to be a synthetic mixture with varying proportions to flake metal.
The other type of brakes is race disk brakes that typically go on race cars and vehicles built for speed. That’s because they are made from sintered steel, which can go up to 1000 degrees Fahrenheit.
For race cars, that level of heat is actually what makes the brakes work better based on its requirement to stop a car at high speeds promptly. If you have race quality disk brakes, then be prepared for a lot of squeaking.
Overall, you want to get good quality brake pads that can survive through the 30,000 to 40,000 miles with no noise. Otherwise it will have to listen to the squeaking for a long time if you don’t get the right things.
Solution:
To reduce the amount of noise coming from your breaks, you’re typically advised to get pads that do have a higher content of organic material.
They might wear out faster, but they do save you on the noise. These can be made from a variety of materials that include resins, glass, and rubber. The good thing about these components is that they can withstand high heat.
If anything, it is the heat that bids the elements even more. The aspect that makes the quieter than their other counterpart is that the material is softer. While you might be going to for the reduced noise, the issue is that they do break down faster and also produce more dust through the friction with the disc.
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Not having your car warmed up
Problem:
The most common type of brakes you’ll find in the market today are metallic brake pads. The reason for that is they are durable and cost-effective as well.
They aren’t merely made from metal; these pads are a combination of steel, copper, iron, and graphite mixed and bonded together. While they are durable, the issue comes in with the fact that they are metal.
As compared to other types of breaks, it means that they are harder on the rotors and the overall brake mechanism, which in of themselves won’t last as long.
Solution:
You’ll notice that your metallic brake parts do work better when they are warmed up. Therefore, at the beginning of the day, you’ll see that the braking is not the usual standard, and there might even be squeaking as the mechanisms heat up.
If they are new and have this problem, then give it time- they sound will disappear by itself. Overall, metallic brake pads are best for heavier vehicles; the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks.
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Brake pads that are thinning
Problem:
When you hear your brakes squeaking it could also be that they are thinning. That is something to consider of you got after market parts and you got them cheaply too. When they are worn out, you’re due to change because the brakes have reached their self-life.
You want to do that sooner rather than later for the sake of safety. The other great thing about most car manufacturers is that they do put in wear indicators. You’ll notice tiny metal tabs that are made using hardened steel.
Solution:
For those who want brakes that offer fantastic braking performance, then they can look to ceramic brakes. They are lightweight and wear well over time. In high heat, these pads fair on great thanks to their ability to provide even heat distribution.
They also don’t break down like other pads do, meaning there is less dust dispersed on the wheel or the air. While they sound like the go-to brake pads to go to, they are costly to make. Otherwise get good quality organic pads.
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Formation of iron oxide
Problem:
If you’ve been parked for a few hours, say overnight, you’ll notice that the brakes will make a sound. It’s especially the case when you get moving first thing in the morning.
The squeak comes from moisture, whether from dew or rain, that’s gotten collected on the rotors. Remember, for the brakes not to overheat; there are gaps in between that let air in.
From basic science, we learn that rust comes about when metal is exposed to moisture and oxygen for an extended period. What forms as a byproduct of this process is iron oxide, which causes the bonds of the metal itself to weaken.
When the brake rotors revolved, the pads then scarp off the iron oxide. Essentially, what you’re hearing is the rust, or iron oxide, being caught between the pads and the brake rotors.
Solution:
If you park outdoors, you’ll find that this is a typical problem for you when you push down on the brakes. Therefore, it is not that the break parts are problematic; it is only that there is rust forming.
The solution for that is parking in a climate-controlled garage, but not everyone has that luxury. Therefore, you’ll have to find alternatives to how to quiet the squeak, which we shall discuss.
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Other residual material
Problem:
Given that there will be friction between the parts, the byproduct after a while will be the dust particles mentioned. This residue tends to collect inside the brake cover, on the brake modules, and also around the friction pads.
The more the residue obtained, the more the vibration becomes audible. When there is none, the vibration still exists, but at a very low frequency.
When there is a build-up, that is when you begin hearing the vibration, which is the squeak that you hear. When collected, it will sound as though you have sand or a pebble caught in the disc brakes.
Solution:
Getting rid of this is quite straightforward. You can open up the components, and using a damp cloth, you can remove the dust formed. A vacuum cleaner or compressed air will give you the same effect.
You can do this for the various types of brake pads that you have if they are still new, and they’ve started making the noise. It’s something essential and practical that you can do instead of opting using DIY WD-40, rags, and other things.
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Misalignment
Problem:
The other major cause of noisy brakes is misalignment. When the brakes are not put in well, and they are not running in rhythm with the shaft, then it causes more vibration and thus more noise.
Therefore, ensure that you go to a licensed mechanic that can put the brakes in properly in that they are tightly fastened. If there are loose components even right after you’ve changed the brakes, then there’s a problem.
Solution:
Don’t ignore it; get it fixed asap because this misalignment can cause the breakdown and damage of the various components. There are also instances there is a manufacturing flaw.
It could mean that there are loose or defective collars, bearing, and other things that cause the vibration. That’s why you must purchase new brakes from a reputable manufacturer. You’re also mostly assured that you can take back the parts and get a new one. You mustn’t ignore this as it could be the difference between life and death in a braking situation.
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Glazing
Problem:
If you break excessively, then there is what is called thermal glazing that occurs. It comes about when the pad heats up to more than 350 degrees Fahrenheit. As a result, it causes the resin in the brake pad to go to the top as a result of the pad itself getting cooked.
After the cooling takes place, the resin that’s now at the surface crystallizes. When that happens, the properties of the pad itself get changes and thus won’t work as intended. When the pad is continuously subjected to such high temperatures continuously, the surface is not the only consent, the whole pad changes. From there, it becomes very hard.
Solution:
If the issues are only the resin at the top, you can use an abrasive material to scrub it off. You can also change the air pressure in the piston to accommodate your breaking habits. That way the brakes are working as per your needs. Otherwise, removing the glazing is your best bet. Only ensure that you do it once the brakes have cooled to avoid any injury or issues on the pad itself.
Additional solutions for squeaking brakes
Dampening paste:
solutions you can use are doing a friction pad dampening. You can use shims or such like material that you can put between the two parts to reduce the vibration. That will diminish the noise generated as a result. While that tends to work, you can also use a noise dampening insulator.
It can be a hot or cold bonded one, but the purpose of it is to back the friction material. There are varieties available, and you’ll find some with a combination of multi-layered combinations. They can include glue, fiberglass, rubber, and even steel.
Clean your brakes:
Otherwise, clean your rotors with soap and hot water. That way, you’re able to remove the abrasive grit formed from the metallic residue. It also cleans anything else trapped, including oils that are on the surface of the rotor.
Use a brush to get all the contaminants that the spray cleaners are not able to remove. Even if your brakes are new, that could be what’s causing the squeak. You can use this as the first step when you’re diagnosing the issues with your brakes.
Wrap up
Understanding the various causes of new brakes squeaking helps you diagnose the problem and make the necessary changes. If you’re handy with your car it is something that you can figure out quickly and fix the problem.
Even then you should go to a licensed mechanic who can tell you what the problem is and diagnose it. Do avoid using home remedies that you meet on the internet as you might end up causing more problems. Your safety is more worthwhile than saving a few bucks.
FAQ
Do DIY tips work to stop my new brakes from squeaking?
Homemade alternatives might cause the squeaking to stop for a while, but they can be problematic at the end. Heat can change the physical properties of the heating pads and thus cause it to wear faster. It’s is better to stick to water and soap or visit a licensed mechanic.
Do I need to change my brakes once they start squeaking?
No, there are tons of fixable ways to stop the squeaking, especially when they are new. The other thing is that vehicles are fitted with a system that lets you know when your brakes need changing.
