|
April 2007 E-mail Newsletter
“Q & A Time”
Noise Problems:
| Q. |
My car has recently started making a squeal noise while driving that actually goes away when I apply the brakes, what could be wrong ?
|
| A. |
Most likely your brake pads are worn sufficiently enough to allow their “wear indicator” or “sensor” to touch the disc brake rotor. When this occurs the “sensor” emits that high pitched noise designed to warn you that your brakes need immediate attention. Have them checked promptly by a certified brake system specialist and have the brakes serviced before expensive damage or loss of brakes occurs.
|
| Q. |
My brakes have started to squeak when I apply the brakes, could there be a problem?
|
| A. |
Yes and No, some brake noise is normal and unavoidable. Demanding driving conditions, traffic congestion, severe braking, dusty or sandy conditions, abusive braking, even humidity can cause unwanted brake noise. These conditions promote “glazing” or “crystallization” which, simply put, is a hardening of the brake pad/shoe surface or the entire brake pad. The lesser “surface hardening” can usually be sanded off with common sandpaper, the worse condition “entire pad crystallization” would require pad replacement to eliminate the noise, however, the cause of the hardening, if not corrected would simply re-crystallize the pads and you would still have the noise. Beware, simply changing brake pads is not a good brake repair, have your car checked by a specialist to confirm the need for repair, the high demand brake use problems can easily cause more damage than just to the brake pads.
Brake noise can also occur if the brake system has a “weak link”. The brake system is only as good as its’ weakest component. A faulty part can cause a chain reaction of failures to other components that could cause problems ranging from more than normal occasional noise to total brake failure. Have your brake system completely checked and serviced by a quality conscience brake system specialist.
|
| Q. |
Sometimes my brakes make a grinding or groaning noise that only happens at very low speed stops, are my brakes going bad?
|
| A. |
Only a complete brake system inspection by a competent brake specialist can give you the truth, however, the particular noise you are describing is generally considered normal, particularly on vehicles with semi-metallic pads or most front wheel drive cars. The noise is simply a vibration that can be more felt than heard coming from the front disc pads because on slower stops you don’t have the brakes applied fully which allows them to vibrate against the rotor surface. Usually no service is required as the noise is unavoidable; however, if the noise is constant and occurs at almost every stop, the brake system should get immediate service.
|
|
|
