Why Do My Brakes Squeak After New Pads and Rotors?
It’s not uncommon to hear old brakes squealing, especially when they’re worn out. But no one wants to hear new brakes squealing. The noise is often unpleasant and can leave you wondering if it’s safe to drive your car.
In this guide, we’ll explain some common and unusual reasons why new brakes may be squealing. We will also inspect for any other noises or symptoms you may experience and tell you how to resolve the issue.
Causes of squealing new brakes
The most common reasons new brakes squeak are excessive moisture, high temperatures, or normal break-in time. You may also have installed bad brake pads that cause the noise. But sticking brake calipers or worn rotors can also be to blame.
Here is a detailed list of possible causes that could cause your brakes to squeak after installing new brake pads or rotors:
1. Moisture
All kinds of moisture can build up on brake pads and rotors. If it’s only recently rained, snowed, or frozen, it may be enough to just let the brake pads dry. Even overnight, condensation can build up on metal parts and cause the surface to rust. Luckily, a few brake cycles should fix the problem.
2. Retraction
If you replaced your brake pads yourself, you should allow a break-in period. Alignment is important so that the pads make full contact with the rotor, but you may need to drive for a few minutes.
If you’re replacing the rotors at the same time, break-in is even more important. To speed up the process, drive in an empty parking lot and gently brake every now and then. Don’t hit the brakes too hard, and focus on stopping slowly and gently.
3. Heat
After installing new brake pads, you’re ready to push your car to its limits, but you shouldn’t. Right after replacing your brake pads is not the right time to pull a heavy load or climb a mountain.
In addition, braking can put too much pressure on the pads, which can lead to excessive temperature buildup. In either situation, it’s inevitable that your brake pads will overheat and start squealing. Be aware that your brakes will also be less effective during this time.
4. Low-quality brake pads
If you choose a new set of brake pads that have a high metal content, you may hear a squealing noise. Most brake pads are made from a mixture of metals such as graphite, copper, steel, and iron. Depending on their composition, you may hear a squealing noise when the pads come into contact with the rotor. However, there are other brake pad materials that are less likely to squeal. You can also consider organic pads that contain rubber, glass, and resin, but your best option may be ceramic brake pads.
5. Stuck Brake Calipers
Brake pads move because the caliper pins have to contract and release the pads from the rotor. Stuck brake caliper pins cause the pads to bite into the rotor at an angle, which causes squeal. Replacing your brake pads without noticing the problem won’t solve anything. In addition, if both caliper pins are stuck, you may smell something burning.
6. Worn rotors
You may have replaced your brake pads but forgotten to replace the rotors. Even if the rotors are worn out, they may not engage properly with the brake pads, causing squealing noises and other problems. Defective rotors can make it difficult to stop your vehicle. As the metal continues to wear down, a grinding noise can also occur. Additionally, defective rotors can cause your brake pads to wear out faster.
Other brake issues to look out for
Grinding
Right after replacing your brake pads, you should never hear a grinding noise. Brake pads are not in direct contact with metal, so they are more likely to produce a squealing noise. The squeaking noise is usually caused by the brake pads slipping under the wear indicator and making contact with metal.
If you hear a squeaking noise after replacing your brake pads, it could be a hardware problem. Have the system checked immediately.
Pulsation
If your brake pedal starts to vibrate when you press it, you should look into it for a serious problem. This symptom may also be accompanied by the brake warning light coming on and a burning smell. A pulsating sensation can also be caused by a stuck brake caliper. You may also experience a pulling sensation on the wheels when braking.
How to Fix New Brake Noise
1. Remove Moisture
How you fix brake squeal depends on what the problem is. If there was precipitation overnight or excessive condensation, simply drive your car a bit to remove excess moisture. Once the brake pads are dry, the squealing should go away. If the squealing continues, you should consider one of the other options.
2. Drive-in pads
New surfaces also need to be broken in. If you had them professionally installed, you should have them broken in at a repair shop. However, if you do replace your brake pads yourself, drive slowly and keep braking until the brake pads are properly seated and the rotors are running smoothly. Choose a safe place to do this: A. An empty parking lot.
3. Wait for the brake pads to cool down
When you slam on the brakes hard, your brakes may simply be hot. This situation can occur when you are driving up a steep hill or while towing your car. In this case, it’s best to stop and let the brakes cool – less heat will result and more stopping power.
4. Swap Out Pads
If you put cheap brake pads on your vehicle, you might need to perform another replacement. Sometimes, it doesn’t pay to use the cheap pads, especially when you look at how often you might need to replace them.
Ceramic pads suffer from squeaking the least because of the lack of metal. On the other hand, they do cost more and aren’t ideal for heavy braking situations.
5. Repair Calipers
If you have a sticking caliper, the only solution is to lubricate it or replace it. Sticking calipers are also going to create a car that pulls to one side and possibly a burning smell.
Because this situation keeps the brake pad engaged with the rotor, you are going to wear through the material much more quicker. It also creates damage to the transmission, leading to premature wear.
6. Change/Resurface Rotors
If you tried to change the pads without paying attention to the needs of the rotor, you might have to do more work to rectify the situation. When new brake pads are installed with bad rotors, the pad can’t make optimal contact with the rotor surface.
Not only will more damage occur to the new brake pads, but the sound will continue until you fix it. In some cases, you will be able to resurface the rotors. However, if there’s not enough remaining space or you have a thin rotor, you will need to replace them entirely.
