Brake noise: what to do?

If you notice unusual noises when braking this should not be taken lightly. Your safety and the safety of your passengers are highly dependent on the condition of your brakes. To know whether to change or not your brake pads, here in this article, a detailed description of the various noises that you can hear, as well as their causes.

🚗 Why are the brakes squealing?

This is a noise that never cheats, and this whistling sound almost always comes from the brake pads. First, you need to find the wheel that is giving off that metallic squeal.

In addition to the noise, you will also be warned by the wear indicator (orange circle surrounded by dotted brackets). But this indicator can also be faulty, due to a malfunction of the sensor cable of the wear indicator of your pads.

It doesn't matter if you hear the whistle or the warning light comes on, the result is the same: quickly replace the brake pads. At the same time, be careful not to increase the braking force, as this could damage the brake disc or even jeopardize your safety.

You cannot replace just one of the brake pads because they work in pairs. This should be done at the same time for both, front or rear, so as not to upset the braking balance.

External elements, such as a stone or leaf, could also damage your braking system. This requires simple disassembly and cleaning.

If your car is a small urban or older model, it may have drum brakes (most often at the rear). This could be the source of your problem, they are less efficient than disc brakes, they wear out faster with a certain metallic sound.

🔧 Why are my brakes hissing?

Sound more like a whistle? This can be due to brake discs or slightly seized calipers. They can be lightly lubricated with an aerosol, which is easy to find in the automotive department of the supermarket or in auto centers (Feu Vert, Norauto, Roady, etc.). If the noise does not disappear after lubrication, we advise you to call a mechanic as soon as possible.

Good to know : your handbrake can be damaged too. The only way to proceed is to lubricate it at the base and always use an aerosol can (unless it's electronic). Otherwise, you can also use the services of one of our trusted garages.

?? Why are my wheels squealing without braking?

Does the noise continue while driving even if you do not brake? Here, of course, another part of the braking system should be suspected: the brake caliper.

Each of your disc wheels is equipped with one. It can be damaged by humidity or temperature, especially after a long period of immobilization. If, after a few explicit braking tests, the noise persists, the pair of calipers on the two front or rear wheels must be replaced.

⚙️ Why is my brake pedal vibrating?

If your brake pedal vibrates, you should be warned: it is likely that one or more of your brake discs are damaged or deformed. You can easily verify this with the naked eye by removing the damaged wheel (s).

Do you really notice wear and tear on your discs? No half-measure is a mandatory replacement of two discs on the same axle (to maintain the balance of the brakes).

Braking noise should never be taken lightly; your safety is at stake. Despite our advice, are you still unsure about the origin of this noise? Take it easy and consult one of the our proven mechanics.