What does squealing brakes mean in a car? Can they interfere with braking?

Where do sounds come from? This is nothing but the vibration of a material under the action of energy caused by another body or phenomenon. The deformations cause the particles to move clearly enough for the human ear to perceive them as sound. Squealing brakes are high-pitched sounds that make them unpleasant. And although in most cars such noises make you look at the condition of the brakes, not in every case this indicates a malfunction.

Causes of squealing brakes when braking? Damaged discs cause creaking?

You already know how sounds are made, but do you know where they come from in the braking system? Squealing when braking is a sign of two materials rubbing against each other: cast iron or steel in the discs and a mixture of resin and metal components in the brake pads. In cars adapted to street traffic, which are most often used for traditional transport, there should be no creaking. Sufficiently thick discs and anti-vibration materials are used for maximum comfort.

Brake screeching and vibration - don't underestimate the problem

These cars are built on the principle - the more comfortable, the better. Therefore, any noise that is unpleasant to the ear (except for the gurgling of the engine, of course) is eliminated by the use of appropriate materials. At the same time, a trade-off between safety, comfort and costs must be maintained. And that is why the squeaking of brakes on a city car, subcompact or SUV is not a positive thing.

So if you have this problem in a car (and it's not an F1 car or a race track sports car), then take a quick look at what's going on in its braking system.

Creaking blocks while driving - why is this happening?

The answer is simple - there is friction between the pads and the disc, which should not be when driving without using the brake. However, that's not all, because there is no such squeak when braking. Squealing brakes can be a sign of heavily soiled brake calipers. Dirt gets on the surface of the pads, which additionally do not protrude enough from the disc. Then there are squeaks from dirt and annoying noises while driving. However, this is not the only reason for squeaks.

Brakes squeak while driving - what to do? Is it necessary to replace brake pads?

When the brakes squeak while driving, this can also be a symptom of pad delamination. Despite the fact that the piston correctly pushes them away from the discs, some part still rubs against the discs and makes a constant noise that stops when the brake is applied. It also happens that the brakes are so worn out that there are no pads on the pads, you brake only with plates. In such a situation, put them out of their misery and install new bricks.

New brakes squeak - what to do?

Squealing brakes are not always a sign of wear. What will you say when such a phenomenon reaches your ears immediately after leaving the workshop? The answer can be very simple - the mechanic did not put in as much effort as he should. Thin plates are placed in the brake caliper, which mercilessly collect dirt and deposits from the pads. In principle, good sets of blocks have new plates in them, but if for some reason they are missing, the mechanic puts the set on the old ones. If it is bad to clean them, there is a risk that the disc will come into contact with the pads while driving. And then squeaks are inevitable.

Why do brakes squeal when warmed up?

In fact, there are two most common causes of this problem. The first is the appearance of a vitreous layer on discs or pads, which is caused by their burnout. This can happen when you decide to brake hard after installing a new set of discs and pads. Sometimes a good solution is to simply dismantle the friction elements and sand them down with sandpaper. Although in situations where they are badly burned, unfortunately, this will not be a very effective method. 

What's the best way to squeal when braking?

The second reason is too much play between the wings of the pads and the brake caliper fork. As the temperature rises, the backlash also increases, due to which squeaks become more and more audible when the brakes are very hot. it will be the best their disassembly and lubrication with a paste designed to eliminate brake squeaking. Of course, it is used to lubricate the wings of the blocks, and not the rubbing surfaces.

How to eliminate squealing car brakes?

It remains to remove the brakes. Of course, if you did this a long time ago, there may be a slight problem with loosening the mounting screws. Start by spraying them with penetrant to make them unscrew better. You can also lightly tap on them with a hammer, and only then begin to unscrew. Don't forget to plug the brake fluid line so it doesn't spill out. After disassembling the elements, it turns out what is wrong in principle and why the brakes creak.

Check the condition of individual parts

It is best to clean all components, including the caliper and fork. Also measure the brake disc thickness. Remember that if it is on the side more than a millimeter thinner than the factory value, it is suitable for replacement. In addition, check the condition of the piston in the caliper and the rubber elements responsible for sealing it.

Squeaky brakes can be fixed by yourself

Self-regeneration of the caliper is not difficult, although it requires several tools, such as a vise. In many cases, brake squeak is the result of careless handling and insufficient cleaning of the components, and this can be eliminated without much intervention in the brakes. After cleaning, when removing the brake fluid line, be sure to bleed the system. Without it, driving will be dangerous due to reduced braking power.

As you can see, squealing brakes are often easy to deal with and the problem stems from a prosaic lack of concern for the cleanliness of system components. However, the symptoms should not be ignored. When the brakes squeak, it may not be particularly dangerous, but it will be annoying while driving.