Those annoying squeaky noise when you apply brakes is unbearable, right? It could be due to greasy or worn-out brake pads.

If you are wondering what other reasons could be behind it, here is a detailed discussion.

Causes of Squeaky Brakes:

Replacement of Brakes:

While it can be difficult to get a good brake pad material that can match the standard. Replacing a squeaky brake with a secondary, premium metal or ceramic pad can change the interactions that shake the resonant frequency of the pad and brake and disc, thereby interrupting the grinding. 

Metal Concentration is High:

Another reason your new brakes may squeak is that replacement pads have a high metal content. Racing cars can often have harsh brake linings due to the intricate material from which racing pads are made.

High Friction Between Brake Pad and Disc:

The desired effect of the pad and rotor combination is maximum braking in difficult driving conditions. You can press the brake pedal or increase / decrease the speed with each braking maneuver, but the brakes can still howl due to the contact of the pad with the disc.

Presence of Moisture:

If you notice that the brakes only occasionally rattle, this could be due to moisture turning into rust on the disc or pad surface. Please note that in most cases a constant noise even after the brakes have warmed up indicates a repair.

Old Brake Pads:

When a brake pad is completely worn out, the brake pad and rotor are in the metal-on-metal position, causing a loud grinding noise. This is a more urgent and dangerous situation as it results in ineffective braking and rotor damage.

You don’t want to get to this point because it means ineffective braking and grinding and scratching the metal on the rotor can damage the smooth surface of the rotor.

If the friction surface of the brake pads wears out enough, you will end up hearing a squeal as the pads (or what’s left of them) and the rotor comes into contact between metal and metal.

The Rotors Have Been Distorted:

Another cause of squeaking can be the deformation of the rotors, due to which the pads cannot smoothly contact the rotor surface during braking.

Rust on the rotors can also cause fingerprints on the rotors, which in turn can cause knocking or pulsating in the brakes. Because of this rust, you will most likely hear a squeak or squeal when you press the brake pedal.

Corrosion is the Culprit:

Moisture from rain and atmosphere can turn into light rust on the rotor or pad surface, which can cause the brakes to squeak while driving. Likewise, condensation that builds up on metal rotors overnight can lead to surface rust formation, which requires some morning braking to remove.

These parts may squeak if rusty on the surface. The squeak is created by the metal linings inside the brake pad, which appear when the pads wear out, warning you before they wear out completely and start causing damage to the rotor. Over time, your car’s rotors can lose smoothness, which is another common cause of squeaky brakes. If the disc brake, rotors, calipers, or hoses become loose, it can cause squeaking.

When Brakes Are Not Securely Mounted:

When lower parts are used or the brakes are incorrectly set, they can cause noise and other problems. Even if your brakes aren’t performing well, the sound can be annoying enough to warrant the replacement of new pads. While this is not the case with new brakes, it can still happen if you replace the caliper or rotor without replacing the pads. In this case, replace the pads immediately, otherwise, you risk reducing the braking performance.

To help determine if the screeching of the brakes is just a hindrance or a threatening signal, here is a quick breakdown of disc brake performance, from the moment you press the brake pedal to a stationary vehicle. This is when the wheel cylinder presses the brake pads against the inner surface of the brake drums, creating friction and causing the vehicle to slow down.

The Brake Pedal is Squeezed:

When you press the brake pedal, the caliper presses the pads against the rotor. When the brake pedal is depressed, hydraulic fluid pressure flows through the lines causing the caliper piston (s) to press the pads against the disc/rotor.

The brake pads will scratch the brake disc, causing squeaking noise. Therefore, if the brake pads are tighter in the caliper, the squeak will increase. 

Rotating Disc/ Rotor Can be a Contributor:

The squeak during low-speed braking is caused by the high-frequency vibration of the brake pads relative to the rotating disc. When pressure is applied, the friction material or the substance in the brake will make a sound.

If the noise intensifies just before the vehicle comes to a complete stop, and does not screech throughout the entire braking range, vibration of the brake pad on the rotor may be the cause.

Constant Brake Pad Pressure:

When your brakes begin to emit an audible high-pitched squeak or squeal when used, even at low speeds, this is a clear sign that something is wrong and needs to be addressed. Constantly pressing the brake pedal and stopping aggressively can cause the brakes to get very, very hot and make an audible squeak or squeak.

How to Deal With Squeaky Brakes:

Invest in High-Quality Brake Pads:

Since brake pads are essentially necessary to stop a car, buying a quality type, albeit an expensive one, will help you avoid some avoidable accidents that will cost you more than the cost of cheap brake pads.

 You are unlikely to hear a squeal after replacing brake pads. As the sound of metal on metal usually means that you have worn out the brake pads to the point that their wear indicators or, in the worst case, metal backing plates are exposed and rubbing against rotors.

Brake Pads Should be Lubricated:

Lubricating the sites of contact is the simplest hack to deal with this problem.  The brake pads must be removed from the calipers, and brake lubricant must be applied to all connectors.

The rear of the brake pad, as well as any contact areas on the caliper carrier, fall into this category. Take into account that any grease or oils must be kept off the rotor area and the contact surface of the brake pads.

Maintenance on a Regular Basis:

Often all that is required to solve this problem is a good cleaning, removing brake dust, and adding lubricant. Because the braking system is vulnerable to air, contamination of the pads, rotors and other components can emerge, prompting the brake to squeal. If your car’s brakes don’t show significant wear, they may be dirty.

Examine the Brakes:

Remember, if you hear a creak or squeal when stopping, it is recommended that you check the brakes as soon as possible. If your brakes are noisy, it is suggested that you have them checked by a mechanic as soon as possible.

Final Thoughts

After reading this article, you finally understand the most frequent causes of squeaky brakes. According to your situation, a quick grease service might suffice, or an entire brake service may well be needed.