Charlotte Toyota Service Addresses Squeaky Brakes

Nov 29, 2012

Charlotte Toyota service explains why squeaky brakes don’t always mean a costly repair job.

Brakes are made of many different metals. Some metals naturally make high-pitched noises as they vibrate or rub together. As your car slows down the caliper, which is covered by the brake pads, squeeze each side of the rotor. Depending on the type of brake pads you have will determine the sound. If this noise is bothersome, there are solutions.

There are special shims that you can buy to add to your brake pads. These are called “noise reduction shims” and can be slid on when the brake pads are installed. These will help decrease the friction and noise while braking. There is also a lubricant that can be added called “noise suppression compound”. If these don’t seem to do the trick, you may want to replace the pads.

It is important to be sure the concern is only auditory and there isn’t more going on. If you hear a grinding noise or feel it in the brake pedal while slowing down, it is important to get your brakes checked right away. Grinding is usually caused when the brake pad has completely thinned and has sometimes been used completely and the calipers are squeezing the metal plates that hold the pads directly onto the rotor. Brake pads can be replaced relatively easily, but adding new rotors and pads will require more time and money. The longer you wait to have a grinding noise checked, the more costly your repair could be.