In terms of the safety of any vehicle, the brakes are probably one of the most important components to keep in good condition. If your brakes fail while driving, it could lead to significant complications and a squeaking noise from the brakes is often something of concern. It is best to understand a car making a squeaking noise but stops when braking.

Before you start looking for the best mechanic to service your brakes, you should understand that the most common reason for squeaking brakes is not damaged or worn-out brakes. If you have had overnight rain, you could be dealing with a thin layer of rust on the brake pads. Eventually, this will loosen and the sound should go away.

However, you must have driven on the road and noticed a squeal coming from the car next to you at an intersection. If your vehicle makes a similar noise continuously, you might need to start thinking about fixing the brakes. This article aims to help you understand what could be causing the issues with your brakes.

4 Reasons A Car Making A Squeaking Noise But Stops When Braking Should Be Check Immediately

There are various reasons that your brakes could be squeaking and not all of them are serious. However, it is often important to use your ears when driving. The engine and other minor components like the brakes will communicate with you and let your know when something is not right. Here are some common signs your brakes could be making noise:

1.      Debris Lodged In The Brake Pads

Problem: One of the most common reasons should not be any major concern. However, it is often a loud noise coming from the brakes that makes us worried. If you notice a loud grinding noise coming from the brakes after heavy rain or if you have been driving off-road track, it could be debris. You will often find small stones and hardened mud lodges between the brake pads.

Solution: The solution for this is fairly easy. The first thing you will want to do is to clean the brake pads. Instead of having them disintegrate due to friction created by the foreign object, cleaning them is your best solution. While you might want to take them apart, a simple wash could also cure the issue directly after your journey.

2.      Worn Out Brake Pads

Problem: If you look at your brake pads, you will notice a slightly different material that encases the pads. The material can either be some form of metal or ceramic depending on your vehicle. Over time, your vehicle will thin out this brake material and you often see them wear down. This is called wearing down the brakes.

Once the brakes are worn, they will have a solid steel or metal component that holds them together. As the metal connects to the wheels to initiate the braking process, it can cause a grinding or squeaking noise. The sound simply means that you have worn-out brake pads that need to be replaced.

Solution: The great thing about this is that you can replace the brake pads at home when you have basic knowledge about the car. The process is easy and you can find these brakes online, with prices ranging from $30 – $150 depending on your vehicle. On average, mechanics would charge you between $115 and $300 depending on the vehicle and the labor costs.

3.      Thumping Noise In The Rear Brakes

Problem: While drum brakes are not as common anymore, many vehicles still have the drum brakes in the rear of the vehicle. If you suddenly press the brake pedal, you might hear a loud thumping noise, which could also cause squealing. Keep in mind that this issue is only common with vehicles running drum brakes in the rear.

Solution: The most common solution is to take your vehicle to a mechanic and have them replace the drum brakes. However, the problem can also be solved at home and you don’t need to spend as much as you would for a mechanic. You could pay as much as $600 for a rear drum brake service depending on the model of your vehicle.

4.      Drum Brakes Need Lubrication

Problem: Another problem associated with drum brakes is that they often need lubrication to reach their full potential. The lubrication between the brake shoes is an important element in keeping your brakes functioning at the optimal level. However, neglect and lack of maintenance could lead to the lubrication drying up.

Solution: Since lubrication is the issue, it should not be that hard for you to lubricate your brakes. You can visit any automotive store and ask for brake lubrication to complete the process at home. You can take your vehicle to a mechanic as well. However, the labor costs could be expensive and you might as well learn to do it at home.

FAQ

Does My Driving Style Damage The Brakes?

Every person has their unique driving style they feel most comfortable with. Your driving style is unique and even though you have been taught, you might be uniquely doing small things. However, braking hard when at high speeds could cause some heat to build up in the brakes. Excessive heat can melt some of the brake pad components and this will cause some damage.

While you might need to use the emergency braking technique in certain situations, a smooth and rule-abiding driving style should help to preserve your brake pads and you won’t have as much generated heat to deal with.

How Often Should I Replace Brake Pads?

Your brakes need plenty of attention and you need to make sure they are in the best possible condition. If you drive casually and you don’t place too much strain on your brake pads, you can get close to 20,000 miles before needing to replace them. However, people with a more aggressive driving style might need to replace them every 10,000 or so miles.

Essentially, a car making a squeaking noise but stops when braking problem should be something you check out immediately!