Why Are My Brakes Squeaking?
You’re driving your morning commute, humming along to your favorite song, and then you hear an unfamiliar sound: a high-pitched squeal coming from outside your car. You keep hearing it every time you slow down. It sounds like you might need to get your brakes checked at Sam Pack's Five Star Subaru.
Whether you’re a resident of Grapevine, Fort Worth, or Dallas, Texas, we are happy to take a look at your brake system and identify the cause of this squeaking. Call us to schedule a brake service today and learn more about what this squeaking means below.
Brakes can squeak for multiple reasons and at different times. For instance, you might hear a constant squeal when pressing the brake pads, only when you apply a certain amount of pressure, or the squealing can start when you apply just a little bit of pressure.
The most common reason for brake squealing is worn-out brake pads. In this case, you’ll hear a constant squeal when pressing on your brake pedal. This simply means that your brake pads have reached the end of their life, and you need to replace them to stop the squeaking. Brake pads are considered worn out when there is one-eighth of an inch to one-fourth of an inch of brake pad material remaining.
However, if your brake pads are not near their expiration date, then the other causes could be:
- Rust on the brake rotors
- Damaged calipers
- Lack of lubrication
- Hard braking
There are a few ways to fix squeaking brakes. However, the best solution is the one that addresses the issue. You should rely on a skilled and experienced mechanic to find the exact cause or causes of the squeaking rather than attempting to DIY your brake systems (unless you are the professional mechanic that you rely on).
Our service center experts inspect and repair brake systems every week. They can recognize and repair common issues quickly. From examining the condition of your brake pads to identifying irregularities in caliper, rotor, or disc components, they will be able to find the exact cause of your brake squeaking and recommend the best course of action.
As a result, the remedy for your squeaky brakes will vary from a simple lubrication service to a full brake pad repair.
While you can’t predict whether your brakes will squeak again or not, you can take steps to keep them as healthy as possible and expand their lifespan. Here are a few tips for taking care of your brakes:
- Avoid slamming on your brakes and practice coasting to stop instead
- Reduce how often you tap on your brakes
- Avoid packing your car with too much cargo
- Reduce your towing frequency
- Stay a safe distance away from the vehicle ahead of you
At Sam Pack’s Five Star Subaru, we repair brake systems and so much more for drivers around Grapevine, Fort Worth, and Dallas, TX. If you’ve been noticing strange sounds coming from your brakes lately, schedule a brake inspection with us today!
