Why Do My Brakes Make Noise?

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Rattling Brakes

Anytime unusual noises come while you apply your vehicle's brakes, it should serve as a warning that one of the most important systems on your vehicle needs attention. Many times, drivers will come to accept that their brakes now make noise, and don't do anything about it. While the brakes may still function, nothing good can happen when you continue to use your brakes after you notice an unusual noise. Let's take a look at a couple common reasons as to why your brakes are making noise.

A common concern for drivers is a rattling noise when they apply the brakes. More often than not, the rattling occurs after you take your foot off of the brake pedal, and can sound like shaking a bottle of spray paint. Most commonly, this rattle is caused by the brake pads, and that's okay. Brake pads have a tough job and can sometimes expand from the heat they create. Keep in mind that the rattling should not be a continuous event, and should not happen while pressing the brake pedal. If either of those two are happening, bring your vehicle in.

Grinding Brakes

If you hear a grinding noise as you apply the brakes, it is almost always a serious problem that should be taken care of as soon as possible. There are a couple different reasons as to why your brakes are rattling, but the most common is because the rotor disc is coming into contact with part of the brake caliper. If this is happening, it means your brake pads have become worn down severely, and need to be replaced quickly. It's always a best practice to replace your brake pads before any grinding occurs to prevent significant damage.

The second reason as to why your brakes are grinding when your press down on the pedal is a foreign object may have lodged itself into the caliper. When this happens, brakes tend to make a more consistent grinding or screeching sound, even while the vehicle is in motion. You can try to get the object yourself by finding a safe place, and working your vehicle back and forth to dislodge it. If that doesn't do the trick, you will need to have your brakes serviced before the foreign object causes even greater problems.