What Causes Abnormal Noises When Braking?
4 Answers
The reasons for abnormal noises when braking are: 1. Poor quality brake pad material; 2. Uneven brake disc; 3. Damaged edges of the brake disc; 4. Foreign objects in the brake disc; 5. Brake pads are too hard; 6. Dirty brake caliper; 7. Mismatch between brake pads and brake disc; 8. Insufficient brake fluid. Solutions for abnormal noises when braking include: 1. Replace the brake pads; 2. Replace the brake disc; 3. Clean the brake disc; 4. Clean the brake caliper; 5. Refill the brake fluid. Braking, also known as deceleration, refers to the action that can stop or reduce the speed of moving locomotives, vehicles, other means of transport, or machinery.
Last time my car's brakes were squeaking like crazy, it really freaked me out. When I took it to the repair shop, they showed me the brake pads were worn thin as paper. The mechanic explained that when brake pads wear down, a metal warning tab gets exposed, making a horrible metal-on-metal screech when you brake—that's your cue to replace them ASAP. Another time after rain, my brakes made a clunking noise, but it was just surface rust on the rotors that wore off after a few stops. If a pebble gets lodged between the pad and rotor, the screech is unbearable—you've gotta dig it out immediately. Though if new pads squeak right after installation, they might need a 300-mile break-in period or weren't cleaned properly during fitting. Never ignore brake noises—they're your lifeline. At the first odd sound, check pad thickness; don't let your playlist drown out safety warnings.
As a female car owner, I'm particularly sensitive to brake noises. After the last car wash, there was a sharp whistling sound when I stepped on the brakes, which scared me into rushing straight to the 4S shop. The technician took one look with the lift and laughed—it turned out there was a sesame-sized stone stuck between the brake pad and caliper. They removed the wheel hub and plucked it out in two minutes. They also taught me how to perform daily self-checks: lightly pressing the brakes when starting the car cold in the morning gives the most accurate sound check. If the noise persists, it's time to take it seriously. Additionally, uneven brake rotors can cause a buzzing vibration, often due to thermal deformation from hard braking. Now, during every maintenance session, I make sure the mechanic measures the brake pads and replaces them immediately if they're below 3 mm—after all, safety is no small matter.
Having worked in auto repair for over a decade, I can diagnose about 70-80% of brake noise issues with my eyes closed. The most common cause is low-quality brake pads containing excessive metal particles—they're as hard as iron and grind against the rotors. Another frequent issue is sticky brake calipers failing to retract properly, causing the pads to drag. While some rust-induced noise after rain is normal, persistent squealing means checking for clogged drainage holes. Here's a pro tip: Low-speed squeaking might indicate minor issues, but if your steering wheel shakes during high-speed braking, replace rotors/pads immediately. Upgraded calipers are prone to noise—misaligned shims will have you listening to a daily symphony. Reminder to all drivers: Don't wait until brake pads are completely worn; start planning replacement when they're down to 5mm.
