What Causes the Squeaking Sound When Lightly Pressing the Brakes?
2 Answers
There are three main reasons for squeaking sounds when lightly pressing the brakes: 1. Sand or other foreign objects in the brake disc: When lightly pressed, the friction between the foreign objects and the brake pads produces a harsh sound. In this case, cleaning the brake pads can help. 2. The brake pads are too hard: Consider replacing them with silent brake pads. 3. Severe wear of the brake pads: If the friction surface of the brake pads is completely worn out, it will cause brake noise, and replacing the brake pads can solve the problem. Methods to determine whether the brake pads need replacement are as follows: 1. Thickness: The normal thickness of brake pads is about 10mm. If it is below 6mm, they should be replaced. 2. Sound: If the car frequently makes abnormal noises when braking, it indicates severe wear of the brake pads, and they should be replaced. 3. Pedal feel: When the brake pads are severely worn, their braking force decreases, so pressing the brakes will feel weak. At this point, the brake pads should be replaced promptly.
After driving for so many years, when I hear squeaking or grinding noises while lightly applying the brakes, I usually suspect it's due to excessive brake pad wear. When the brake pads become thin and the friction material is depleted, the metal backing plate will directly scrape against the brake disc, causing that harsh noise. If it's after wet weather when starting the car, rust on the brake disc surface can also easily cause similar abnormal sounds. I recommend not delaying and immediately going to a professional repair shop to check the brake pad thickness; if it's below three millimeters, they need to be replaced. When driving, avoid sudden braking and prolonged brake application to extend the life of the braking system. After regular car washes, apply the brakes several times to help keep the brake discs dry and clean, reducing the chance of rust. Safety issues should not be taken lightly; ignoring such abnormal sounds may lead to decreased braking performance or even failure.
