What Causes Brake Pads to Overheat and Make Abnormal Noises?
2 Answers
Brake pads making abnormal noises and overheating are primarily caused by the following two reasons: 1. Brake Caliper: Poor retraction of the brake caliper leads to brake drag, causing the brake pads to make abnormal noises and overheat. In this case, it is necessary to stop driving and have the vehicle's brake caliper inspected and repaired. 2. Frequent Braking: Excessive use of the brakes during driving causes the brake pads to make abnormal noises and overheat. While driving, frequent use of the brakes should be avoided as much as possible, as it not only easily overheats and damages the brake discs but may also cause harm to the vehicle's tires, engine, and automatic transmission.
I'm an experienced driver and often encounter this situation. When the brake pads get hot and squeak, the most common cause is the brake disc rubbing against a metal hard spot. At first, it sounds like a whistle when you press the brake, but if it turns into a metal grinding noise, you need to be careful. Last time I was driving downhill on a mountain road continuously, I clearly smelled a burning odor. When I pulled over and touched the wheel hub, it was frighteningly hot. This is mostly due to poor retraction of the brake caliper, causing the brake pads to keep grinding slightly, and the temperature can reach three to four hundred degrees! Also, if the cooling vents are clogged with mud, especially after going through a puddle, this can happen. In such cases, it's best not to rush cold water onto them, as the brake disc could crack or warp, which is even more dangerous.
