3 Reasons Why Your Car’s Brakes Are Making Noises

Your car’s brakes are fundamental to driving safety, and it’s important to be alert to any potential problems before they can escalate out of control. One of the earliest signs of faulty brakes is the appearance of strange noises whenever the brake pedal is pressed, and it’s a warning you should never ignore. Here are the three most common reasons that these noises can occur.

1) Worn or Damaged Brake Pads

Brake pads will naturally start to wear as they age, and once the process becomes advanced, squealing noises will appear and become louder and louder over time. And while any noise from the brakes is something to take seriously, sudden squealing is no reason to panic. Modern brakes are designed to make this noise long before the pads reach a dangerously worn condition, and a simple brake inspection will let you know if replacement pads are needed.

But don’t delay for too long. Eventually, worn pads will cause damage to the brake rotors and other parts, which will be much more expensive to fix than just replacing the pads.

2) Debris in the Mechanism

Most of the tiny stones and other debris thrown up by your car’s tires pass harmlessly under the wheel arches and back down to the pavement. Sometimes, however, grit, sand, or small pieces of twigs can get lodged in the brake mechanism, and even the smallest particles can cause grinding noises whenever you press down on the pedal.

Removing debris from the brakes is a simple job for an auto mechanic, but it should be done as soon as possible to prevent any long-lasting damage from building up.

3) Low-Quality Parts

Lastly, if you bought your car used rather than new, you might not know the full details of its service history. Some owners try to save a little money on repairs by using aftermarket components rather than new parts recommended by the vehicle manufacturer. And while this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, using aftermarket brake pads in a repair can cause strange noises to arrive sooner rather than later.

Even if your car has had a brake inspection and repair relatively recently, noises caused by poor-quality components should always be checked out before safety is threatened.

All three of these issues can impact safety and should never be ignored. If you have any doubts at all about the quality of your vehicle’s braking performance, booking an inspection should be a priority to catch any issues before they develop into serious problems.