🚗 Have you recently changed your brake pads and rotors, only to hear squeaking sounds after a few days? Or maybe your brakes have been making an annoying noise for a while? Brake noises can indicate a problem that needs attention—whether it’s a minor issue or a sign of something serious.
In this guide, we’ll cover the common reasons for brake squeaking and grinding noises, why new brakes sometimes squeak, and how to fix these issues before they become a bigger problem.
🔧 Why Are My Brakes Squeaking?
Squeaky brakes can be caused by several factors:
1. Worn Brake Pads
🔸 One of the most common reasons for squeaky brakes. Most brake pads have a built-in wear indicator that makes a squeaking sound to alert you it’s time for a replacement.
2. Moisture on the Brake Rotors
🔸 If you hear squeaking in the morning or after rain, it could be due to moisture forming on the rotors overnight. A thin layer of rust developing on the surface of a brake rotor due to exposure to moisture from rain, dew, or high humidity, which is a normal occurrence as brake rotors are made of cast iron, a material prone to rust when wet. This usually goes away after driving for a while.
3. Low-Quality or Hard Brake Pads
🔸 Some brake pads, especially cheaper or performance-oriented ones, use hard materials that can naturally cause squeaking. Low quality brake pads made with inferior materials that wear down quickly, produce excessive noise, and may not provide optimal braking performance, potentially causing faster wear on the brake rotors due to their aggressive friction properties; essentially, you get what you pay for, and opting for cheaper pads can compromise safety by not stopping your car effectively.
4. Dirt & Debris Stuck in the Brakes
🔸 Small stones, dust, or dirt trapped in your braking system can cause noise and even reduce braking efficiency.
5. Brake Pad Glazing
🔸 If your brakes overheat due to aggressive driving or frequent braking, the brake pad surface can harden, causing a constant squeaking sound.
🔥 What About Grinding Noises?
If you hear a grinding noise, it’s usually a more serious issue than squeaking.
1. Completely Worn-Out Brake Pads
🔸 Metal-on-metal contact between worn brake pads and the rotors causes a grinding noise. This means your brake pads are completely used up, and your rotors may be getting damaged!
2. Faulty Brake Calipers or Wheel Bearings
🔸 Sticking brake calipers or worn-out wheel bearings can also lead to grinding sounds. This issue requires immediate attention before it affects braking performance.
3. Debris Caught Between Brake Components
🔸 Sometimes, small stones or debris can get lodged between the brake pad and rotor, causing a grinding or scraping noise.
🚨 What Happens If You Ignore These Sounds?
Ignoring brake noises can lead to serious consequences, including:
1 ❌ Reduced braking power, increasing the risk of accidents
2 ❌ Costly rotor damage, which is more expensive to fix than replacing brake pads
3 ❌ Complete brake failure, putting you and others at risk
✅ How to Fix Brake Squeaking & Grinding Issues
Here’s what you should do if you hear unusual brake noises:
1. Get Your Brakes Inspected
🔸 If you hear persistent squeaking or grinding, visit a trusted auto workshop like DAS Malaysia for a professional brake inspection.
2. Replace Worn Brake Pads Immediately
🔸 If your brake pads are worn out, replacing them early can prevent further damage to your brake rotors.
3. Clean Your Braking System
🔸 A professional brake service includes cleaning the rotors, calipers, and pads to remove dirt and debris that may be causing the noise.
4. Use High-Quality Brake Pads
🔸 Investing in good quality brake pads can reduce noise and improve braking performance.
🚗 Why Do New Brake Pads and Rotors Squeak?
It’s frustrating when you just changed your brakes, and they still make noise! Here are a few reasons why this happens:
1. Bedding-In Process
🔸 New brake pads need time to break in properly. The friction material needs to be evenly distributed on the rotor surface to work efficiently. This process, called bedding-in, may cause temporary squeaking.
🔹 Solution: Perform a proper brake bedding-in procedure by applying moderate braking (not sudden stops) multiple times from 60km/h to 30km/h.
2. High-Friction Brake Pads
🔸 Some high-performance or ceramic brake pads are made from harder materials, which can naturally cause more noise than softer organic pads.
🔹 Solution: If noise persists, consider switching to OEM-recommended brake pads that balance performance and noise reduction.
3. Rotor Surface Condition
🔸 If the new rotors were not properly cleaned before installation, they might still have coating residues or uneven surfaces that cause squeaking.
🔹 Solution: Ensure rotors are properly cleaned and smooth before installing brake pads.
4. Lack of Lubrication on Brake Components
🔸 If brake shims, caliper pins, or contact points are dry, they can cause unnecessary noise.
🔹 Solution: Apply high-temperature brake grease on contact points (not the brake pad surface) to reduce squeaks.
5. Loose or Improperly Installed Brake Components
🔸 Sometimes, if the calipers or pads are not installed correctly, they can vibrate and cause squeaking noises.
🔹 Solution: Always get professional installation and inspection after a brake replacement.
🏁 Don’t Ignore Brake Noises!
If your brakes are squeaking or making a grinding sound, don’t wait! It’s always better to fix the issue early before it becomes a costly or dangerous problem.
📍 Need a brake inspection? Visit DAS Malaysia today!
Brake pad replacement & servicing
Full brake system inspection
Professional diagnostics & high-quality parts
📞 Call us at: 011-13131903
💬 WhatsApp us for an appointment: Click here
🚗 DAS Malaysia – A Healthier Car, A Safer Journey!