3 Most Common Brake Noises: Causes and How to Fix Them
Brake Noises: Annoying or Dangerous?
“My brakes squeak” is one of the most common complaints about brakes. Brake noises can be annoying, but can also alert us of an upcoming danger. It's best to play it safe and have brake noises checked by a trusted mechanic.
I will cover three of the most common brake noises I encounter on a daily basis and try to shed some light on the repair.
Some of the repair techniques I share with you here are unorthodox and you will never find them in a service manual or Technical Service Bulletin. If you decide to try them please be cautious and safe.
Let’s check out the three most common problems that cause noisy brakes.
Common Brake Noises and Their Causes
Noise
| Possible Cause
|
|---|---|
Grinding
| Stop driving! Usually caused by the brake pad being worn down to nothing.
|
Thumping from rear
| Hard to diagnose, but usually the rear drums.
|
Squeaking
| Either cheap brake pads, or the brake wear indicator is hitting the rotor.
|
Thumping or squealing
| If car is parked outdoors, probably caused by rusted rotors.
|
Scraping
| You may have picked up a rock.
|
1. Grinding Noise When You Apply Your Brakes: A Wake-Up Call
Hearing a grinding noise when you apply your brakes is really like hitting a rumble strip on the edge of the highway; if you hear this, you need to wake up and stop driving. A grinding noise on braking is usually caused by a lack of brake pad material; the pads and rotors are now metal to metal, with no braking material left.
Brake pads are like bars of soap. Eventually they get used up, and you have to replace them and spend a little money.
If you don’t, and your brakes get to the point of grinding, just imagine dollar signs rising into the air every time you step on the brake pedal, even just a little. The grinding noise is just a little voice whispering in your ear saying, ”You’re killing me!” Mechanics have an acronym for this, it’s called CPR (calipers, pads, and rotors). And when you get the bill for your brake job, you will need CPR (cardio-pulmonary rescuscitation).
If your brakes are grinding, stop driving and call a tow truck. It’s worth it in the long run.
What Happens When You Let That Grinding Noise Go on Too Long
You are supposed to replace the pads so they don’t grind your rotors down to a tissue. If you replace your pads on time you can often keep your rotors.
Don't Go Cheap on Your Rotors and Pads! They Can Save Your Life!
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I have used Callahan rotors and ceramic pads on my kids' cars and on other family members' cars with good results. The quality is almost as good as OEM parts, for a fraction of the price of OEM.
2. Thumping Noise From the Rear When Braking
This brake issue is one that will annoy the hell out of the driver, and suck the life out of the technician. It took me months to figure out what caused this thumping noise in the rear of a vehicle when braking. After tearing apart the rear of the vehicle, lubing every bushing, and checking the clearances of every part imaginable, I came to the conclusion that it’s the rear drums that cause the noise.
Many cars have drum brakes in back, where a shoe stops the car by pressing on the inside of a metal drum. Brake drums, like rotors, get resurfaced once in a while. The cutting bit on the brake lathe removes the old braking surface and leaves a nice new mating surface. During this procedure, the cutting bit will create a groove in the brake drum so slight that the naked eye can’t see it; it’s like a groove on a vinyl record that the needle of the record player follows.
When the brake shoes ride on the new surface, they will follow the groove like the needle of your record player follows a track. If the groove is interrupted, the shoes snap back, hitting the backing plate. This phenomenon happens very quickly, causing a thumping noise that will drive you crazy and wondering if your car is falling apart or even safe to drive.
There are several ways to fix this noise. One is to replace the rear drums. A second way, less drastic, is to remove the drums, install them on a lathe, and sand the crap out of the mating surface with coarse sandpaper. The third way I found by trial and error and pure frustration is a quick fix using the emergency brake.
You will not find this procedure in any service manual or car repair manual, not even on car repair talk radio. It can be dangerous if not performed correctly so please be careful. Nevertheless, I have done it on over 100 cars, including family members’ cars, and I would not recommend it if I thought it damaged the vehicle.
How this works is that you get your rear brakes to do 100% of the braking for a few seconds at a time, instead of their usual 30%, and this will cause the brake shoes to polish the grooves out of the drum. For safety reasons, only try this on cars that have an emergency brake handle in the center console; emergency brakes that come up out of the floor can’t be set and released quickly enough.
Drive your car in a remote area with little or no traffic at a speed of about 40 miles an hour. Lightly pull up on the emergency brake handle while holding the release button; this is so the emergency brake handle won’t lock in the braking position, and you can release it quickly. Only hold the emergency brake on for about three seconds because you don’t want to overheat the drums. Do this three to five times, while keeping a steady speed; the noise should disappear, or at least be 90% gone. Then drive the car at normal speeds and use the brakes the way you normally would.
If the noise has not changed, you may have a different thumping noise than what I have described here in this article. Give up on this remedy and try something else.
My sister came to me with this noise after she had her brakes checked at her local garage. They had adjusted her rear brakes so the emergency brake handle had less free play in it, and this is when her troubles began. I took her car out on a test drive for about 10 minutes, performed the procedure described here, and poof, the noise was gone. She was happy because the garage that had caused the noise had no idea how to fix it.
When A Car Makes A Rumbling Noise and Shakes While Driving
3. "My Brakes Squeak"
A brake squeak can be very annoying, and furthermore might mean something. It may be a sign of danger of some kind, or it may just be a sign of cheap brake pads.
The most common brake squeak is caused by inferior pads. A cheap brake job sounds good when you’re paying for it, but it may come with years of painfully annoying brake squeaks. Cheap brake pads have large metal flakes in the brake material, and when you press the brakes lightly and a flake drags along the rotor, it will squeak. The squeak may go away when that particular flake wears away, but usually there is another metal flake right behind it. The best way to avoid this type of noise is to choose quality brake pads.
If your brakes are squeaking or squealing while driving down the road, but the noise goes away when you press on the brakes, I have a hunch that your brake wear indicator is hitting the rotor and causing the noise. The wear indicator is a small metal tab fastened to the brake pad. When the brake pads are worn down and need replacing, this metal tab starts to drag along the rotor, warning the driver of the potential problem. Don’t ignore the noise too long; the brake pads are thin and need servicing very soon, for safety and to protect the other parts of the braking system.
Bonus Noise: Thumping or Squealing Caused by Rotors Rusting Overnight
Especially in cars parked outdoors, rust can build up overnight on the rotor around the impression of the pad, causing a thumping or squealing when you drive the car away in the morning.
Noises Caused by Rust on Rotors
A Bonus Noise From the Brake Area
I have one other noise I run into a lot that has nothing to do with the brakes themselves—technically, it has to do with rotors—but I thought it was worth mentioning here because it comes from that area, and a lot of customers assume it's their brakes causing the noise. If your vehicle makes a scraping noise, while driving or when turning a corner, that sounds like something being dragged across a tin plate, it's possible you have picked up a rock from a dirt road or from a freshly repaired pothole: the kind of place where you hear a shower of pebbles hitting the bottom of your car as you drive through. There’s a good possibility that a rock has gotten lodged between the rotor and the backing plate, making an awful noise that is causing your ears to bleed. Just have the rock removed and be on your way.
Or sometimes the backing plate behind the rotor gets bent while the car is being worked on, and it scrapes against the rotor.
A Rock Stuck Next to the Rotor
There's an easier way to remove a rock stuck behind the rotor: bend the backing plate a little, as shown in the video below!
Scraping Noise From Behind Rotor
I sincerely hope that all the information here will help diagnose that noise that seems to be coming from your brakes. I know that some of my methods are a bit out of the box, but it's what we do sometimes to repair vehicles. There is always a better way, but if you don't try new ideas, you'll never discover it. A wise man once said, "If you do the same things over and over, expecting different results, you must be crazy."
For a couple of other common car noises, see the video below.
Three Common Car Noises
The video above describes three noises: squeaking from brake pad wear indicators; a clicking in the front end combined with a shaking steering wheel; and a metallic, knocking noise that happens in the front end while turning.
Car Brake Noises
What Noises Do Brakes Make: FAQs
How Do I Get My Brakes to Stop Squeaking?
The most common way to stop brakes from squeaking is to remove all the brake pads, disassemble the calipers, and lubricate all moving caliper parts with high temperature grease and all caliper-to-brake pad contact points with brake pad lube.
There are other methods out there, like sanding the brake pad surface or shaving the leading edge of the brake pads, but the repair above has the best results by far.
Why Are My Brand New Brakes Squealing?
The most likely cause for new brake pads squeaking is lack of lubrication on the caliper-to-pad contact points, most likely from an inexperienced mechanic.
Some aftermarket brake pads have a high content of "bimetal" material which can cause new brakes to squeak as well.
What Can Cause a Grinding Noise in the Braking System?
A grinding noise can be heard in a brake system when the pad's life is exhausted, that is, when it's worn out.
Another cause of grinding in a brake system is moisture on the rotor after sitting over night, but this will usually disappear after applying the brake a few times.
Another common grinding noise from brakes happens when small pebbles get caught between the rotor and rotor backing plate, or the backing plate is touching the rotor after a brake service was just done or the wheels were just removed from the vehicle.
How Much Does It Cost to Get a Brake Job?
Brake jobs can range between $150 to $650 per axle depending on what is wrong and what needs to be replaced. If your vehicle need to have the rotor and pads replaced, this is when the brake job becomes more pricey.
If you hear that the rotors need to be replaced, ask the mechanic if they can resurface them to save a few bucks. Resurfacing them, if he can do it, could actually save you about $100 - $150.
How Much Does it Cost to Fix Squeaky Brakes?
The cost to fix squeaky brakes can vary depending on the labor rate and on what the mechanic needs to do to stop the squeak. It will cost about one hour of labor per axle to disassemble the brake calipers and lube all moving parts and pads.
Why Do My Brakes Squeak First Thing in the Morning?
The main reason brakes squeak first thing in the morning, or after the car has been sitting in a humid area, is moisture on the brake rotors. Usually this type of brake squeak will disappear after applying the brakes a few times.
Can Your Brakes Squeal When Not Applied?
Your brakes can squeal when they are not applied. Usually this is because the brake pad wear indicator is touching the rotor. If the wear indicator is touching the rotor, sometimes the noise disappears when you apply the brakes, and returns when your foot comes off the pedal.
If you hear this type of noise when you're not applying the brakes, have a mechanic do a brake inspection just to be on the safe side. The wear indicator may be warning you that your brake pads are getting low and need to be replaced soon.
Do You Have to Break in New Brake Pads?
You should not have to break in new brake pads; you should be able to drive normally as soon as the brake pads are installed.
What is the Grinding Noise When I Drive?
If you're hearing a grinding noise when you drive, and you're not applying the brakes, it could be that the brake pads are worn metal to metal. They should be inspected ASAP! Your brakes may be worn away to nothing.
How Do You Check Your Rotors?
Rotors are inspected visually and with measuring tools like a micrometer or a Verner caliper. The visual inspection checks for flaking rust on the braking surface, score marks on the braking surface, heat cracks, and hot spots.
Measuring the rotor thickness is important when doing the brake inspection. If the rotor is too thin, the rotor could crack or fall apart when braking under severe conditions. Another reason to measure rotor thickness is to verify there is enough material to resurface the rotors.
How Long Do Brakes on a Car Last?
It all depends on driving habits and conditions. If you drive on the highway all the time, your brakes could last up to 100,000 miles. But if you use your vehicle to make deliveries in the city, you could find yourself replacing brakes every 15,000 miles.
How Long Does it Take to Get a Brake Job?
A typical brake job takes about one to two hours. If they are replacing rotors and pads, it will take about an hour per axle. If they are machining or resurfacing the rotors, it will take a bit longer.
How Often Do You Need to Change Brake Pads?
It all depends on driving habits and conditions. If you drive on the highway all the time, your brakes could last up to 100,000 miles; but if you use your vehicle to make deliveries in the city, you could find yourself replacing brakes every 15,000 miles
Another thing to consider is the type of brake pad you're installing. Some aftermarket pads are very cheap and will not last long. Cheap pads also tend to be very squeaky.
What Causes Brake Noise
More on Brakes by Eddie Carrara
- How to Replace Honda Brake Pads: Tips and Precautions
Avoid making costly mistakes when you're replacing brake pads on your Honda. Important steps that backyard mechanics might skip. - Four Common Brake Squeaks
If your brakes squeak, and you need help trying to figure out what's causing it, maybe I can help! Here are four common brake squeaks to compare to. Questions are welcome! - Brake Problems? Five Common Brake Problems In Cars
Education for a driver who knows very little about a car's braking system, and possibly help for a technician who is having trouble diagnosing a brake issue.
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This article is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge. Content is for informational or entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for personal counsel or professional advice in business, financial, legal, or technical matters.
Questions & Answers
- Helpful 232
There's a brake noise that sounds like a pump running for a few seconds as I come to a complete stop in my vehicle. What is wrong?
It sounds to me like maybe the ABS pump is running because one of your wheel speed sensors is not reading correctly, and thinks one of the wheels is locking up. I recommend having the ABS checked for any codes.
Helpful 24I recently had a brake job pads and rotors. Almost immediately, there is a squealing noise when I accelerate after braking. It is especially loud when backing up and turning the wheel clockwise. Sometimes it's one long squeal, other times maybe a half dozen short sounds while accelerating. What is going on?
Most likely the rotor backing plate doesn't have enough clearance and is touching the rotor sometimes. I recommend you bring it back to the mechanic who did the brakes and ask them to make the necessary adjustments to the rotor backing plates.
My brakes are stiff and usually make a sound like leaking air when I step on the pedal. What do you think the problem could be?
The noise you're hearing is most likely vacuum leaking from the brake booster. It's possible you have a leak in the diaphragm, but you'll need to have it tested to be sure, it's an easy check.
I just had new tires put on my Nissan Quest. Afterward, I heard a grinding, so I took the car back to the shop. They told me the backing was rusted, but that the break was ok. Have you heard of this happening before?
Yes, It is common for the rotor backing plate to become very rusted and rub against the rotor. In some cases we completely remove the backing plate to stop the noise because the cost to replace them can get expensive, the parts are cheap, the labor and time are where it gets expensive.
Helpful 3
Comments
AUTHORHi Sarah,
Some times the brake pads shift in the caliper and click once when either going in reverse or forward but usually it's only one click and it not very loud, most people don't even hear it. This is only one possibility if the suspension has any loose or damage parts this also could make a click or clunk noise so you may want to have the suspension checked just to be sure everything is tight.
Just curious what could be causing one, singular "clink" type noise when I apply my brakes (just in the beginning, then there is no other noise, but it happens EVERY type I hit the brakes). I know the valve for my tires are broken and slowly leaking because I brought the car in to be looked at by some tire specialists when I noticed they wouldn't keep air for longer than a week, but ever since they took at look at them I've been having this strange sound (so I'm not even sure its the brakes per sey, it just always happens when I brake). Thanks much!
- AUTHOR
Hi Josh,
A quick check is to bend the rotor backing plate away from the rotor, a small piece of rust may have got caught between the rotor and plate. If that doesn't fix it, you'll need to remove the wheel on the side the noise is coming from and inspect the pad shims, it's possible one is not centered and is touching the rotor. Keep me posted on what you find, thanks :)
Hey I recently changed the front pads on my 2013 Smart fortwo and now I have a chirping coming from them while driving. I have the set pins in place and all and am stumped to what this could be. It is not as bad when the brakes are applied but unless I slam on them good you can still hear it. I have noticed that when I turn my wheel to the left it gets worse but to the right it seems to go away. Weird...any suggestion would be so helpful. Thanks
- AUTHOR
Hi CC,
If you sprayed any chemical on the wheels to clean them, it may be the culprit but other then that I don't have an answer. I recommend driving it for a few more days to see if it subsides, cleaning and lubing the brakes may help but not all the time. let me know what you decide to do.
- AUTHOR
Hi Lisa,
If hitting your brakes makes the noise go away I recommend you start with having the brakes checked to be sure you're not hearing the brake pad wear indicator warning you that the brakes pad need to be changed soon. Let me know what you find, thanks
I recently bought a 2017 Jaguar XE. Everything seemed fine until I washed the car. The very next day, the brakes started squeaking. The weird thing is..the squeaking doesn't start right away. It only starts after I've been driving & stopping for about 10 mins. I took it to get checked and was told that they were rusty and they need to be cleaned and lubricated for $500! Any ideas of what's really going on? Is there a cheaper fix? I was also wondering if brake cleaner would work? Thank you!
I have a 2008 Honda crv. I have a loud "hooo" sound mainly when pulling off after car been sat for a while or when I'm travelling at higher speeds it can be heard but not as loud. When I press the brakes at high speed it stops the noise momentarily. Any ideas?
- AUTHOR
Hi John,
I don't know the year, make, model, mileage, or type of brakes your vehicle has but maybe a broken spring in the drum?
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- AUTHOR
Hi Amy,
Hows the front brakes? Do the rotors have brake pad impressions on the braking surface? That's where I recommend you look first. Let me know what you find, thanks.
- AUTHOR
Hi Desiree,
if the brake pads are getting low on material it's possible the heat from braking can cause different noises. I recommend you have your brakes checked closely, inner and outer pads. Let me know what you find, thanks.
The sound came from a brake like a shaking an empty can of a paint. Any Idea and what is the solutions?
We have a 2016 RDX with new rear rotors and brakes, yet is still making a thumping noise when braking. It is more noticeable when braking above 40 mph.
I am hearing noise when I start braking but I only hear it after i have driven for a while? it does not do it first thing in the morning
- AUTHOR
Hi Debbie,
When a vehicle sits for a few days a light coat of rust will build up on the surface of the rotors, the pads will scrape the rust and will make a grinding noise until the rust is gone, usually, just a few taps of the brake pedal will do the job. Let me know if this helps.
my car sit in driveway for a few days started this morning while backing up heard grinding niise when backing up, what could be the problem?
- AUTHOR
Hi Bobby,
It sounds like brake dust which is normal as longs as it's happening to either the two front-wheels or two back wheels and not just one stray wheel. You could try ceramic pads, they may not be as bad as the ones you're using as far as brake dust goes.
- AUTHOR
Hi Nella,
Can you describe the noise? Is it a scraping, thumping, rubbing, helicopter noise, dragging, squealing, etc?
I have black stuff on my rims & i wash them but it comes back, now my brakes or something is makung a squekinh sound. I have a 98 jeep grand cherokee, limited edition...what could this be ? Is it just my brakes or could it be something different since the black stuff is on my rims ?
Ford Escape 2005. While driving high speed over 30 mph doesn't hear anything, but vehicle coming to a slow drive without pressing on my brake to a complete stop I hear this noise from both my front tire. When braking doesn't it. Foot off brake and slow driving hear it. On the highway going over 40/50/60/70 mph don't hear it. What do you think the problem is.
1st shop said it my transmission. 2nd shop said wheel bearing. So, i took it to a tarnsmision and they said nothing wrong with transmision. So, what is it. https://axleaddict.com/auto-repair/Brake-Noises-Wh...
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- AUTHOR
Hi Kendal,
Usually, it's the inner brake pad that has the wear indicator on it. I recommend you check them closely because what you're describing sounds like low brake pads. Keep me posted on what you find, thanks.
- AUTHOR
Hi Abrahim,
Sounds to me like you're talking about a brake pulsation. If your car vibrates or steering shakes when braking at highway speeds, most likely the rotors are warped. The ABS light is most likely a defective wheel speed sensor and the hand brak light may be warning you that the brake fluid is low or the switch for the hand brake is faulty. Hope this helps.
Hi Eddie, thanks for the article I’ve got a squeal and I hope you can help me shine some light on the cause. Its never straight away. It’s after about 2hrs of driving. It’s consistent and loud. When I apply the brakes it stops. It’s worse when I turn left. Any ideas? I visually checked the brake pads and it seems like there is still a lot on them. Thanks
Hi ...... i got a toyota yaris 2008 which i replaced rear wheel bearings ,after changing aheel bearings i have pressure noise when i break which hold s pressure then releases then holds again till i stop .... when i bought the car the abs and handbrake light was on 3 years down the line , changed bearings , while on my way home i hit a man hole and both abs and handbrake lights went off , it does come on and off @ times but the breaking issue worries me more please assist
- AUTHOR
Hi Yanet,
what is the year, make, model, and mileage? It could be a brake pad wear indicator just starting to touch the rotor or it could be moisture on the rotors.
Why are my brakes making a loud screeching sound in the morning when I first drive reversing out of my driveway? Or anytime when I let the car sit out for too long and then try to reverse
- AUTHOR
Hi Sas,
The brake pads should be touching the rotor but with no pressure or drag, Hopefully you lubed all brake pad contact points during the procedure. The movement will be very slight but it should stop the rotor from turning. The noise may be the rotor backing plate touching the rotor and needs to be adjusted. It's not a bad idea to drive it a few miles and see if you still have the problems. Let me know if you have more questions, thanks.
Hello Eddie,
I did a break job myself and replace the rear rotors and pads for my Nissan Altima. Pads are abkimono ceramic and rotors are coated. After installation when I drove the car I could hear a noise like scratching noise from the back wheels. I took off the rear wheels again and I saw that brake pads are completely on the rotors too tight and are touching the rotors ( I checked both sides and they were the same). I could see black stain on my coated rotor and when I turn the rotors by hand it was a bit of resistance and a medium scratching noise. My first concern is should the pads completely touch the rotors when I don’t push the brake pedal?
My second concern is why when I apply pressure on the brake pedal I could not see any movement on the brake pads?
My last concern is do you think when I drive the car more the new pads will be wearing off and solve the problem?
Thank you so very much I read all the website and watched the videos and they were truly useful.
- AUTHOR
Hi Gino,
It great to hear some of my crazy solutions work lol. I had used that technique many times and has always served me well so I'm glad it worked for you. Thanks for taking the time to leave me feedback, it really helps the readers a lot who have similar problems :)
- AUTHOR
When you’re in the drive-through you tend to hear car noises much better because the noises bounce off the wall, and I think some of your noises may be normal.
The noise when taking your foot off the brake may be normal because all parts are new, the squeak noise is most likely caused by the aftermarket brake pads, ( I assume all parts are aftermarket ). Depending on the quality of the pads and the type of brake pad material will determine how quiet they will be. I always recommend original equipment for the pads and aftermarket for calipers and rotors because the pad is what creates a noise, not the rotors or calipers.
Your mechanic could have bent the backing plate on the backside of the rotors or could have left some debris between the rotor and the backing plates so I would definitely bring it back just so they can inspect their work.
Let me know if you have any more questions and keep me posted on what your mechanic finds.
hi eddie, i want to thank you so much for your imfo. i did the emergency brake fix and the noise disappeared. thank you so much and all the best to you.
Hi Eddie,
I just had new calipers, rotors, and brake pads put on the front of my car. Now I hear squeaking when I'm doing short stops, like when going through a drive-thru. I don't hear it on other stops, like when I'm stopping after driving up to a stop sign or light. I also am getting a groaning noise when I take my foot off the brake. Should I be concerned?
- AUTHOR
Hi Ali,
It's possible the noise is caused by the type of brake pads the mechanic installed, if they are not original equipment pads, the material used in the pad could contain a high percentage of metal flakes which would be the cause of your noise. Let me know if this helps.
Hi Eddie, I'm a student from Malaysia. There's this really annoying noise that comes from the front wheels (i think it's only on the right side, not sure). It's a squeaky noise that appears when i brake lightly but it disappears when i brake harder. Recently my mechanic changed brake disk and pads (due to a grinding noise) and it was all ok for the first few days, now the squeaky noise is back (it was there for the whole of last year, i didn't say anything because i was fed up of my car going to the mechanic again and again and i need it daily). Any ideas what may be the problem? Pls help
- AUTHOR
Hi John,
Did you look at the inner pads (closely?) or did you just peak at the outer pads without removing the wheels?
- AUTHOR
Hi Brandon,
Not sure what I did but I'm glad you figured it out lol :)
- AUTHOR
Hi Robert,
Thanks for the feedback, if you ever need any automotive advice, you know where to find me :)
Hi Eddie,
Thank you for the great data, I do need refreshed quite often at times. Thanks
what would make my 02 gmc envoy make agrinding and loud clicking noise when I apply my brakes the noise is coming from my left rear wheel I checked the brake pads still have a lot of wear left on them,
- AUTHOR
Hi Chris,
It sounds to me like the rotor is not sitting flat on the hub, like you have some rust built up under that needed to be cleaned before installing the rotors. I recommend you check this out first and keep me posted on what you find, thanks.
- AUTHOR
Hi B. Washington,
Thank you for taking the time to leave feedback, I really appreciate it :)
Question just did a full break job rotors calipers pads lines and the back driver side is making a scrubbing sound and even dug into the top back side of the rotor but not the hole rotor and not all the way a round the rotor
you are sooo helpful; you got straight to my car problem. i mean you nailed it. thx so much!!
- AUTHOR
Hi Theo,
If you think the front brakes are inferior parts I recommend replacing them with upgraded brakes. The brakes are very important and spending a little extra to get quality parts is not a bad idea, even if it only a test. Keep me posted on what you decide to do, thanks.
Hello,
My car makes a deep groaning/creaking noise as I come to a complete stop and only then. It occurs for a fraction of a second when stopping normally at the exact moment I reach a complete stop. If I brake harder, it'll be louder and start slightly before the complete stop is reached. The rotors are very cheap and uncoated (about $40 CAD each for 312x25/272x10 rotors). The pads likely aren't that great either. The car gets driven every day and this noise recently got more prominent after replacing a blown front strut and installing stiffer strut mounts and sway bar end links. Please let me know what you think, I tried to include as much relevant info as possible.
- AUTHOR
Hi Tamara,
I highly recommend you have the brakes checked ASAP!
- AUTHOR
Hi Derrick,
Can you describe what it sounds like?
My car is making strange noises when stopped. It isnt a metal to metal sound
Im having grinding noise on the passenger fronte tire it only dose it when im going really slow while breaking
- AUTHOR
Hi Christine,
Do you know if you have rear drum brakes? What is the year make and model of the vehicle?
- AUTHOR
Hi Donovan,
Sounds like you may have some rust build up on the drums/rotor. I recommend you remove the wheel and look for any type of rub marks on the brake components.
Hi im having a problem with my Trailblaizer wen i reverse and swing to the left i get a noise coming from tha back left wheel but wen i just reverse staight or drive forward theres no noise what could be the problem
When I release my brake pedal it squeaks. I do have new front brakes
- AUTHOR
Hi Mary,
It sounds like you may have brake pad impressions on the rotor surface causing your noise. Has the car sat without moving for a few days? If so, was it raining? Do you park inside a garage or outside?
Hello,
When I turn while applying the brake I hear a rattle in the front. Also happens when I brake and not turning. Does not happen when I turn without braking. Just had new rotors and brakes 6 months ago
Thank you
- AUTHOR
Hi Carrie,
Your brakes can seem and be at minimum spec. I recommend having them checked just to be on the safe side. Let me know if you have more questions.
- AUTHOR
Hi Tony,
It's possible you have some debris caught between the rotor and backing plate. Uneven ride height is usually caused by a broken spring or torsion bar.
- AUTHOR
Hi Diedre,
I recommend having the rear brakes checked to verify they are OK as well.
I have a Buick Regal..When driving it for about 20 min it starts making this loud piercing noise but when I brake it stops..I had the front brake pads changed but it still does it what could it be
yes when i make a right turn(right turn only)in my 2001 chevy S10 4x4 pickup with 50,000 miles, and when i hit the brakes at low speed i hear this slight scraping like sound ,a little higher pitch, sometimes it will do it and at times not but more then not!!I had complete brake job done last year! Also what cause the chevy lean?My left side is higher than my right side or passenger side? Any help will be appreciated
Hi, I’ve had an incident on 3 separate occasions when I get in my car and start driving , I start having a dragging or scraping sound After a few minutes it stops. My brakes seem to be working fine. 3 times in approx 1 month. Any ideas?
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Hi Vinnie,
And what?
When l apply my brakes I get rubbing sound and
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Hi James,
Something is touching the rotor, you'll need to figure out what it is. usually, it's one of the anti-rattle clips is not centered in the caliper holder. If it only happens when braking, most likely the problem is on the caliper.
I replaced my brakes pads and rotors on my 2014 jeep overland and when I apply the brakes I hear squeaking. Driving me crazy what can it be?
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Hi Tatti,
Sometimes it's the water or moisture that causes the noise so the only alternative is to try factory OE brake pads.
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Hi Shannell,
Can you describe the noise? Is it a squealing, scraping, grinding, etc?
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Hi Charmaine,
Thank you very much for the feedback
Hi Eddie... Wow, I've been reading thru these auto trouble shooting threads on your site and feel like I'm now enrolled in Beginner Auto Repair. The questions and answers are very informative and helpful. However, I think I stayed on brake issues too long looking for something related to my specific problem because it doesn't seem to be brake-related at all. Brakes are good, actually.
When I start up my '09 Honda Fit and begin to drive and when I'm slowing down, there is this rhythmic flapping swish swish swish or pssh pssh sound in my right rear tire. The sound is consistent and much more noticable at those slower speeds. The faster the tire rotations, the less noticable. It sounds like something touching against or rubbing the tire at a certain point in every revolution. The sound speeds up as I go faster and then virtually unnoticeable because the wheels are spinning too fast for it to be heard, but as I slow right down, (e.g. approaching a traffic light) it again becomes increasingly more noticable.
I hope you can make sense of my babbling description and might have some ideas as to possible causes. I would very much appreciate any help you might offer.
Thanks for what you do, and btw, nice to "meet" you. I'm a fan already!
I hear a loud squeak noise when it rains or when is cold out and I hit the brakes only for a few mins then it goes away. My breaks are new. How can I fix this??
My breaks makes a nose when i press on my breaks to stop not all the time. What could be cause?
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Hi Kayla,
Does the noise get louder the faster you drive or the faster the engine is revving?
I have a 2017 ford fusion and i've had my brakes changed but there is a high pitch sqealing noise coming from my tires when i drive. What could this be? It gets louder as i accelerate.
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Hi Marie,
The rotors are probably rusted and have pad impressions causing the noise. Pad impressions are not dangerous just noisy, but it may be a good time to have it checked just to be safe.
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Hi Eddie,
If you remove the clip and the noise subsided, most likely the clip was the problem. Is the rust built up in the area on the rotor where the clip is located? If so, it may be the rust causing the issue.
Good morning,
Everytime i use my breakes( the front divers wheel) makes this loud thumpinp noise, it sounds and feels like i have a flat tire, what is the problem
Please help me
Eddie, been hearing a grinding ,.seems to be at LF wheel. Today, removed caliper, rotate and noise still present. Pads are good, took the off, rotate noise still there. Took pad clips.off bracket and noise ceased, normal axle sounds...could it be, clips worn and moving to rub rotor? This has been ghosting me.. I changed the PAX side axle and had no joy, sound came back.
2007 Honda Accord 300K..original calipers
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Hi Gerald,
Watch this video, it may answer your question https://youtu.be/escgMjdzk6A
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Hi Karen,
Watch this video, it may have the answer you're looking for. https://youtu.be/HR8UbHpBfmU
I have new disc and pads put on the front of my car but when driving there is a loud scrapping noise and screeching noise as well .. any ideas
I just had my braks pads replaced and in the morning when i leave they start to squeck abd when i slow down only when i press them gentle they sqeack but after briven for a while they stop unless im going slow
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Hi Bobby,
What is the year, make, model, and mileage of the vehicle?
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Thank you Frank, I appreciate the feedback :)
Very thorough, even for a beginner like me!
The noise we here is only when the brakes are applied,it is a whistling sound
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Hi Tina, When do you hear it? What are the road conditions when you hear it? Are you using the brakes at the time when you hear it?
Why do I hear a popping noise under my brake pedal
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Hi Bee,
Bring it back to the mechanic and take them for a short test drive to point out your concern. Most likely the mechanic has something misaligned and it is touching the rotor causing it to squeal. Keep me posted on what you find, thanks.
I have a squealing noise when I drive. My mechanic replaced my back brakes and said my front brakes still had 50% of their pad and were in good condition. The squealing is still happening when I drive and goes away when I break or I am in park.
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Hi Ryan,
Did you replace all brakes or just the front or rear? If all the brakes are new, it's possible one of your anti-rattle clips or a pad shim is off center. You'll need to find the wheel that is making noise and have it inspected for these issues. Let me know what you find, thanks.
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Hi Jim,
It's probably time to have your brakes checked. There are a lot of things that can cause that type of noise.
My RAV 4 brakes make a scraping sound when the brake pedal is lightly pressed. It goes away when I press the brakes harder. Also, I don't hear it I press the pedal harder when first starting to brake.
Hi, I had this problem.. changed out my brakes on a Chevy Silverado 2013. However, the noise continues to happen. Any ideas? Because no ones else seems to know. Thank you!
“If your brakes are squeaking or squealing while driving down the road, but the noise goes away when you press on the brakes, I have a hunch that your brake wear indicator is hitting the rotor and causing the noise. The wear indicator is a small metal tab fastened to the brake pad. When the brake pads are worn down and need replacing, this metal tab starts to drag along the rotor, warning the driver of the potential problem. Don’t ignore the noise too long; the brake pads are thin and need servicing very soon, for safety and to protect the other parts of the braking system.“
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Hi Brianna,
It sounds like brakes to me, like the second mechanic said," a bent wheel would not make noise". I recommend having someone do a thorough brake inspection, if the brake pads are not releasing and are rubbing on the rotors intermittently it will cause a grinding noise so have the rakes inspected first, and make sure the mechanic removes the pads, checks the slide pins, and compresses the pistons. Let me know what they find, thanks.
I have a 2009 Hyundai Elantra.
A few weeks ago, my car began making a grinding noise on the front passenger side. It started as more of a rattling, but over time became more of a consistent grinding sound. The catch is that it only makes the sound intermittently, usually doesn't do anything after I've been driving for 15-20 minutes, and stops when I brake. The car has started pulling to the right, as well, inconsistently.
My brother thought it may be a wheel bearing going bad, so I took it into a shop. They said it was not a wheel bearing, but a bent wheel, causing my tires to feather, and an alignment issue. They recommended I take it to a tire shop.
When I took it to the tire shop and explained the situation, the guy said it couldn't be a bent wheel because the sound would not be intermittent. He took it around the block and said he does not believe anything is wrong with the tires, but that my brake pads look worn and to try replacing my brakes first.
My brother and husband are not convinced the brakes need to be replaced. My husband says to him it sounds like the brakes are not disengaging when I let off the brake, hence the grinding sound, but I'm not sure what would need to be fixed if that is the case.
We are stumped.
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Hi Danicia,
The rattle sound may be sway bar links that are worn, the squeaking may be aftermarket brake pads, even if you're not using the brakes when you hear the noise. I recommend having the sway bar links and bushings checked for wear, if they are ok, check for any other loose or worn suspension parts.
Hi Eddie. I have a 2014 Hyundai i10 gls/fluid auto and it has been a few weeks now that I am experiencing sqeaking noises from the front end of the car (I have new brakes installed for a few months now). This noise happens when I am not braking. However, it does not happen every day and when it does occur it is on a straight even surface road. Also, there is a lot of rattling in the car when driving over uneven road surfaces, does this have something to do with anti-rattle clips? Thanks in advance.
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Hi Walter,
I recommend you get your brakes checked very soon. What you're hearing most likely is the pads getting very low causing the noise. Better to be safe than sorry.
i have a question My car started making a grinding sound when i apply the brakes. it's not a high pitched whiny grinding sound but it's a low 2 large rocks rubbing together sound. and i started to notice brake dust recently
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Hi Kathy,
I recommend bringing back to the mechanic who did the brake job and have them road test the vehicle with you so you can point out the noise and they can give you their opinion. It's the best way to figure out if this noise is normal or is a problem.
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