Why are my brakes squeaking? | Brake Service at V&F Auto

Posted on January 17, 2022 in Brake Repair

Noisy brakes could indicate a serious safety problem. In this article, we'll examine some common causes of squeaking brakes and discuss when you should plan to come in for brake service.

Why Brakes Squeal

Simply put, brakes make this noise because they're designed to. Brake pads have an embedded stip, called a shim; when your brakes wear so thin that the shim is compressed, the shim creates a squeaking noise alerting the driver that the shim is worn. Once the brake pads hit this threshold, it's time to see your mechanic for brake service. If you haven’t heard this distinct squealing sound from your vehicle’s brakes, you’ve probably heard it coming from other vehicles. The high-pitched squeak is often one of the first signs you need to get your brakes repaired; the worst thing you can do for your vehicle is to ignore the warning signs of failing brakes. If left alone for too long, the squeak can turn into a harsh grinding noise as the pads wear out completely and the brake hardware starts to erode. A rotor replacement can be avoided just by coming in for a simple brake service as soon as you notice a problem.

Brake Service At V&F

If your brakes are sounding a little noisy, bring your vehicle into the state-of-the-art facility here at V&F. Our team will inspect your braking system for urgent performance issues today--and let you know about possible problems that can wait until a later date. Call us at (413)314-2280 or schedule an appointment online. This article was originally published in January 2020 and has been updated.