What Causes Brake Pads to Squeak When Wet?
1 Answers
The reasons for brake pads squeaking when wet are as follows: 1. Human factors causing the noise: It may be due to improper installation by the mechanic, where upon removal, you can see that only part of the brake pad surface shows signs of friction. Sudden noise after driving for a while is mostly caused by hard objects on the road, such as sand, gravel, or metal scraps, getting stuck in the brake pads when braking. Another issue stems from manufacturers—friction blocks of the same model brake pads may have inconsistent dimensions, especially in width, with some manufacturers having deviations of up to three millimeters. This results in a seemingly smooth brake disc surface, but if a larger brake pad is installed on a disc that was previously used with a smaller pad, it will also cause noise. 2. Product factors like brake pad material causing the noise: For example, if the brake pad material is too hard or of poor quality. While the use of asbestos-containing brake pads is prohibited, some small manufacturers still produce and sell them. Semi-metallic, asbestos-free brake pads, though offering longer mileage and being more environmentally friendly and healthier, tend to be harder in material. In contrast, asbestos brake pads, being softer, often do not produce noise even if there are scratches on the brake disc and provide a softer braking feel. If the noise is due to such material issues, the only solution is to replace the brake pads with new ones.
