What Do Those Brake Noises Mean?
Many people don't take the brakes on their vehicles with the seriousness they deserve. In fact, everyone believes that the brakes will always be there whenever they need them. Because of this, people only start taking their brakes seriously when they stop functioning normally. A problem like brake noise is very serious, and you should never ignore it. But, you should consider taking your car to be inspected by a professional in brake services. Brake noise can be very annoying, and it's an indication that there is something wrong with your brakes.
In order to understand brake noise in your vehicle, you need to understand the category of brakes.
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Disc brakes – this is where a vehicle has pads which press against a rotor or disc to stop the vehicle.
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Drum brakes – these are located on the car's rear wheels. A drum brake looks like a warped shoe, and it presses against the wheel's hollow drum in order to stop the vehicle.
So what are the common brake noises and what do they mean?
Grinding Noise
When your vehicle's brakes produce a grinding noise whenever you are braking, consider it to be a serious issue with your vehicle's brakes. Never drive a car with such a problem, and you should allow professional in brake services to inspect your vehicle. Mostly, the grinding noise you hear when braking is because of a lack of or worn out brake pads. Just like a bar of soap, a vehicle's brake pads can wear out over time. This means that brake pads should be replaced regularly to avoid damaging the vehicle's rotors and drums.
Squeaking Noise
Many vehicle owners usually complain about this squeaking brake noise. This type of brake noise is not only prevalent, but it is also intentional. Mostly, either worn brakes or cheap brakes cause squeaking noises. Most low-cost brake pads have metal flakes, which can grind against the rotor, thus causing a squeaking noise. Also, brake pads have a wear indicator, which drags along the wheel's rotor, after the brake pads get worn out. Whenever you hear a squeaking noise, it means that you should replace your brake pads.
Thumping Noise
Not many people can diagnose a thumping noise in their vehicle's brakes. However, the rear wheel drums mostly produce this thumping noise. When brake drums are used excessively, they get curved over time, and this causes the thumping noise. This noise drives many vehicle owners crazy, but replacing the affected drums can solve the problem. When the brakes are hot and then you drive through a puddle, it can make the rotors and drums warp, and thus causing the thumping noise.
For more information, check sites like http://www.autoservicefairfax.com.