What Causes Abnormal Noise During Low-Speed Braking in Cars?
3 Answers
Abnormal noise during low-speed braking in cars can be attributed to the following reasons: 1. The vehicle is in the break-in period; 2. Malfunctions in the caliper, brake disc, or brake pads causing abnormal noise; 3. Severe wear of the brake pads can also lead to abnormal noise during low-speed braking. If the noise persists, the first step is to check for any dragging brakes, as poor caliper resetting can cause prolonged friction of the disc, resulting in abnormal noise under certain conditions. If the noise occurs immediately after installing new brake pads, it indicates that the new pads and friction blocks are of inconsistent sizes, causing the noise. For new vehicles in the break-in period, such noise is normal as new brake pads and discs require a break-in process. When braking, if the hard spots on the brake pads are encountered, this type of noise may occur. Additionally, the presence of sand, gravel, or other debris on the brake pads or discs can also produce such noises.
I've driven over a dozen cars myself and encountered low-speed brake squealing several times, usually a creaking sound that's quite uncomfortable. The main reasons are brake pads wearing thin or small stones and sand sticking to the discs. It happens most often on rainy days when the brake disc surface rusts and flakes, causing noise during low-speed stops. I make it a habit to specifically rinse the wheel hub area during every car wash to remove dust and debris; at the same time, I regularly check the brake pad thickness—if it's less than 3mm when measured with a caliper, it's time to replace them. Ignoring these small issues can lead to disc warping or damage over time, resulting in costly repairs. Driving safety is not something to be careless about; when encountering unusual noises, drive slowly and visit a repair shop early for a comprehensive check of the brake system.
The squeaking noise during low-speed braking is really annoying, and it makes me worry about safety every time I hear it. Common causes include hard spots on the brake pads or noise from friction due to uneven rotors. Sometimes, new brake pads may produce noise during the break-in period, but it usually disappears after a few days. For older vehicles, the issue might be caused by poor caliper retraction or foreign objects stuck in the system, leading to persistent noise. It's best not to delay until the problem becomes severe. I recommend first checking the brake pad wear yourself and, if safe, simply rinsing the wheel hubs. If that doesn’t help, visit a professional shop to inspect the rotor surface smoothness with specialized tools. For maintenance, using high-quality brake pads and regularly cleaning brake components can reduce the occurrence of squeaking.
