Most of the time a brake squeal means your brake pads are getting thin. Many pads have a small metal tab built in that touches the disc when the pad is nearly worn, and the squeal is it doing its job: telling you to book in before the noise turns into a grind.
It's not the only cause, though. Here's how to tell the difference, and when it can wait a few days versus when it can't.
What causes brakes to squeal?
The usual suspects:
- Worn pads. The wear indicator tab squeals when you brake, and sometimes when you're not braking at all. It's high-pitched and consistent. This is the one not to ignore.
- Morning moisture. After a damp Albany night, a thin layer of surface rust forms on the discs. The first few stops squeal or scrape, then it disappears. If it's gone after a few corners, that's normal.
- Glazed pads or discs. Hard braking, or riding the brakes downhill, can leave a shiny, hardened surface that squeals and grips less well.
- Dust and grit. Brake dust or a bit of road grit trapped between the pad and disc can squeal or squeak.
- Missing or worn fitting hardware. The small clips, shims and anti-squeal parts that hold the pads quietly can wear or be left out.
- Pad material. Some pad types are simply noisier than others. Quiet doesn't always mean better, but it's worth knowing.
Is it actually my brakes?
Worth a quick check. A squeal that happens when you start the car or turn the steering, and has nothing to do with the brake pedal, is more often a drive belt than the brakes. A squeal that only happens when you press the pedal is almost always brakes.
If you're not sure, note when it happens: cold or warm, slow or fast, pedal on or off, turning or straight. That tells us a lot before we've even lifted the car.
When does a squeal become urgent?
Book in this week if the squeal:
- happens every time you brake, not just the first few stops of the day
- has been there for more than a week or two
- comes with a brake warning light on the dashboard
Stop driving and call us if you hear grinding or a harsh metal-on-metal scrape, the pedal feels soft or goes further down than usual, or the car pulls to one side when you brake. Grinding usually means the pad material has worn through and metal is now touching the disc. That gets worse quickly, and it can turn a pad job into a pad and disc job.
If the car also shakes or shudders when you brake, that points to the discs. We've written that one up too: Why does my car shake when I brake?
What happens when you bring it in?
We take the wheels off and look at the pads, discs, callipers and fitting hardware. Then you get a plain answer: what's causing the noise, what needs doing now, and what can wait. You get the price before any work starts, and nothing is done until you've approved it in writing.
How long pads last depends on the car, the pads and how you drive, so we won't guess a number for you. Your owner's manual has guidance, and we measure what's left on yours at every service.
Quick questions
Can I just spray something on the brakes to stop the noise?
Please don't. Lubricants and sprays near the pads or discs can reduce grip. If it squeals, find out why.
My new brakes squeal. Is that normal?
New pads can make a little noise while they bed in over the first drives. If it carries on after that, bring it back and we'll check the fitting.
Do squealing brakes fail a WOF?
A noise on its own isn't the test. The WOF checks how the brakes perform and their condition, and badly worn pads or damaged discs can fail.
Brake checks in Albany and the North Shore
Midas Albany is at 3C Saturn Place, Albany. Family owned since 2004, MTA Assured, and the price is agreed before any work starts. Not sure what the noise is? Our $89 diagnostic finds it, and it's credited against the repair if we do it.
See our brake repairs and diagnostics.
Call Robin on 09 415 6595, book online, or request a callback. Monday to Friday 7:30am to 4:30pm, Saturday 8am to 12pm.
Written by the Midas Albany team.