Driving can be very frustrating and even distracting if you’re bothered by the sound of your car brakes squeaking all the time. Fortunately, there are solutions to this issue that don’t involve removing your wheels and tires.
Installing a set of shims to reduce vibrations should stop any squeaking noise, which will allow you to fix squeaky brakes.
In this blog post, we’ll give you some insightful information on the causes of brake squeaks as well as advice on how to stop the noise without taking the tire off. Read on to learn more if you’re searching for a fix for your squeaky brake issue!
Why Do Brakes Squeak?
The squeaky noise from the brakes can be due to the following reasons:
1. Brake Dust Between Brake Pads and Rotor
When a car brakes, the friction created by the brake pads rubbing against the rotors slows down the vehicle. Small metal shavings, brake pad material, and other debris are left behind as the brake pads wear down and rub against the rotors. On the rotors and pads, this debris builds up.
Brake dust particles have an abrasive property. Dust particles become trapped between the brake pads and rotor over time, pressing against them and making a grinding or squeaking sound. The noise may occasionally be so loud that you can hear it inside the vehicle.
Brake dust is imperceptible to the unaided eye, but it can build up over time and interfere with the brakes on your car as well as the area near the inner side of the wheel.
Brake dust is most commonly generated by semi-metallic brake pads. This is due to the fact that semi-metallic brake pads generate a lot of heat when they come into contact with the rotor.
Read More: What Does It Mean When Your Brake Warning Light
2. Brake Pad Vibrating Against the Rotor
High-frequency vibrations are produced by the friction that results from the brake pads pressing against the rotor. A squealing noise is produced as a result of the brake pads’ back-and-forth motion against the rotor due to this vibration.
If the brake pad is improperly shimmed, the noise will be amplified. Shims are thin metal plates that are positioned between brake pads and calipers. Its main function is to reduce noise and reduce pad vibration. Some brake pads don’t have a shim already attached, but many do. Without a shim, the brake pad may vibrate more loudly and at a higher frequency against the rotor.
3. Brake Pads Are Not Bedded In
It’s important to break in new brake pads when you purchase them. You must therefore operate the vehicle for a brief period of time at a low speed while braking frequently. Your brakes will respond more smoothly and quietly as a result of the friction material layer that is created on the brake rotor.
The brake pads may squeak when applied if they have not been properly bed-in. It makes a high-pitched squeal as it slides over the surface of the rotor because the friction material on the brake pads is unable to properly grip the rotor.
4. Sticky Caliper Pins
The brake pads press against the rotor when the brake pedal is depressed because the brake oil drives the piston forward. The caliper moves along the caliper pin as a result of the force acting in the opposite direction on it. As a result, the brake disc on the opposite side is pressed up against by the opposing brake pad.
How to Get Rid of Brake Squeak Without Taking Off the Tire
While it’s always recommended to have a professional mechanic diagnose and fix brake problems, here are three methods that may help get rid of brake squeak without removing the tire:
Greasing and Shimming Brake Pads
Greasing the contact points on your brake pads and caliper carrier is one option. Any friction-related noises should stop as a result. Keep in mind to keep grease off the surface of the rotors and pads because it could impair their performance.
Brake pads can also squeak occasionally as a result of vibrations. If so, installing a set of shims will help to stop vibrations and tightly fasten the brake pads to the brake calipers. Usually, a layer of rubber is present on shims to help dampen any unwelcome noise.
Clean Brake Dust With a Garden Hose
You can quickly clean up the brake dust and get rid of those annoying squeaks with just a garden hose and a brake dust cleaner. To prevent harm to your wheels, just be sure to pick an efficient, non-toxic brake dust cleaner.
When you have your cleaner, wait until your brakes have cooled before spraying the cleaner onto the wheels and brake caliper. After a few minutes of foaming, rinse it all off with a good soak from the garden hose
Clean Glazed Brake Pads
Cleaning brake pads that are glazed may be one solution. This can be accomplished by soaking them in isopropyl alcohol and sanding them with 280–320 grit sandpaper on a granite or concrete slab. As an alternative, you might try scuffing them on concrete or asphalt surfaces to remove the glaze.
You might want to think about just buying new brake pads, though, as I can attest from personal experience with the hassles caused by glazed brake pads destroying the brake rotor. In addition to being harmed by glazed pads, rotor damage can also cost money to repair in the long run.
Where Do I Lube Brake Pads?
Make sure you are using the proper lubricant, one that is specially made for high heat, in order to properly lubricate brake pads. Second, avoid putting lubricant inside any drum housing, on the friction face of the brake pad, or on the rotor.
Instead, lubricate the areas where the brake pad meets the caliper and/or pins with a small amount of dry lubricant. And if you’re looking for a way to stop or eliminate brake squeal, you might want to consider using a brake squeal spray.
How to Clean Your Brake Pads
Squeaking noises can be produced by accumulated dust on the brake pad or rotor surface. Washing and abrasion are two techniques for removing accumulated dust; either technique can be used alone.
By roughening up the braking surface and increasing friction between the brakes and rotors through abrasion, dirt buildup on brake shoes is removed using sandpaper. To clean the brake pads, you can also use a brake cleaner spray.
Without removing the tire, you can do this to stop the squeaking noise. The best way to clean your brake pads would be to have a professional mechanic do it because most professional auto mechanics advise a deep cleaning.
Read More: How Often Should You Replace Brake Pads
Wrapping Up
There you have it: quick fixes for squeaky brakes without removing the wheel. If you have tried all of these solutions and your brakes are still squealing, you might want to consider getting professional assistance as there might be a more serious issue.
FAQs
What Can I Spray on My Brakes to Stop the Squeaking Noise?
The best defense against noisy brakes and brake squeal is Blaster Non-Chlorinated Brake Cleaner. Brake fluid, oil, grease, and other surface contaminants are quickly dissolved and flushed away by the brake parts cleaner. Its quick-drying formulation enhances overall brake performance and leaves no residue.
Can I Spray Wd40 on My Brakes to Stop Squeaking?
The WD-40 Automotive Specialist Brakes & Parts Cleaner can help reduce brake noise for a smoother ride while also extending the life of brake discs and pads with routine use.
Can I Use Wd40 on Brakes?
In order to make it simple to remove the grime and dirt lodged in your brakes, WD-40 has developed the ideal solution.