My brakes are squeaking, does that mean I need new ones?!

[tiff211]

We leave tomorrow, can't deal with this now. The front ones were replaced a couple of months ago and the back ones were fine.

 

[Michie]

Please deal with it now. Faulty brakes are no laughing matter. I would hate for anything to happen to your beautiful family. Some squeals are normal and some are not.

 

[anewvance]

Duh, just saw you had the pads replaced recently. Anyway, if you are leaving I think you can wait until you get back but do get them checked. Can cause more damage if you keep driving it...

 

[hlbtimes2]

Might be the new pads making the noise. Sometimes metalic brake pads make noise when they are new. Or you might need to replace the back since you know the front is good. Either way, if you are leaving tomorrow they can wait until you return.

 

[Chicago526]

Maybe. Sometimes new(er) brakes get a little dirty or grity and that can cause them to squeek. Mine always seem to do this about 3 months after I get them done. I'll have my brother or DH check them out, and usually they are just dirty.

That said, GET THEM CHECKED. There is no way to know if they are dirty or need replacement unless someone takes the wheel off and looks at it. You do not want to mess around with potentially bad brakes.

 

[CathrynRose]

Have you checked your brake fluid?

 

[tiff211]

Have you checked your brake fluid?

Having all fluids checked in the morning, but doesn't a light come on?

 

[brerrabbit]

There are two kinds of noises that brakes make. One is the squeak when you are stopping or applying the brakes. This can be caused by dirt and brake pad dust between the rotor and the pad. Usually this is not something to worry about. The other squeak is a constant one you here with the window down and driving slower like when you take off from a light or stop sign. This one is important because its what they call a cheater. It's a metal strip imbedded in you brake pad that comes out when the brake pad wears down. When you get to it its the brakes way of telling you to get new pads. If you don't then you will wear past it to bare metal and then the brakes don't work to well and you start damaging your rotors which will have to be replaced and that costs a lot more money.

 

[Servants of Evan]

Having all fluids checked in the morning, but doesn't a light come on?

Okay... by the time the brake fluid idiot light comes on you're already in some pretty significant doo-doo. Checking brake fluid is super simple. Pop the hood and look for a clear container located on the firewall (between the driver and the engine). There will be a little container of fluid with MAX and MIN marks on it. The stuff is usually pink. As long as the fluid is between the marks you're fine on brake fluid. One basic question - are you noticing the squeal mostly the first thing in the morning? When you park a car at night you've just come to a stop in the driveway/garage and the front brake rotors are shiny polished metal (shiny because you just ground the brake pads into them to stop). You park the car and overnight it gets cold, and maybe you get some dew on the ground. Take a look at those rotors before you start the car. They're now rusted. Don't freak out, it's completely normal. The moisture in the air has casued the bare metal surface of the rotor to rust. They'll squeal a few times as you're stopping until the rotors have heated up and have been re-polished by the brake pads.

Otherwise, do you drive using two feet (right gas / left brake) and have you been not taking your foot fully off the brake pedal? Don't laugh, we've all been behind people who seem to be braking constantly and probably don't even realize it. Lastly, if the brake pads were not installed properly last time, it is conceivable that they could have worn so uneven that you're hitting one of the wear indicators which is causing the squeal.

 

[tiff211]

There are two kinds of noises that brakes make. One is the squeak when you are stopping or applying the brakes. This can be caused by dirt and brake pad dust between the rotor and the pad. Usually this is not something to worry about. The other squeak is a constant one you here with the window down and driving slower like when you take off from a light or stop sign. This one is important because its what they call a cheater. It's a metal strip imbedded in you brake pad that comes out when the brake pad wears down. When you get to it its the brakes way of telling you to get new pads. If you don't then you will wear past it to bare metal and then the brakes don't work to well and you start damaging your rotors which will have to be replaced and that costs a lot more money.

I think it's the first, only when I stop and apply brakes. Not everytime and defintitely no where near the grinding noise when I had to get the front ones replaced. And I did have to get the rotors fixed as well which doubled the price! I will listen carefully on the way home.

Thanks!

 

[mickeyfan2]

Please get them checked before you leave for vacation. They could have installed the new ones incorrectly. It is always better to be safe.

 

[tiff211]

The squeaking stopped!