Why Are My Brakes Squeaking? 

The most common reason for brakes to squeak is worn brake pads. Most brake pads are manufactured with wear indicators—small metal tabs that contact the rotor as the pad material wears thin. The resulting contact produces a high-pitched squeal as the pad presses into the rotor, alerting drivers that it’s time for a replacement. 

If ignored for too long, brake pads can wear through to their metal backing, causing severe damage to the rotors and significantly increasing the repair bill.

Sands, Rocks, or Contaminants

After driving through sand, mud, or gravel, small debris can become trapped between the brake pads and rotors, resulting in an annoying squeak or grinding noise. While this noise is typically temporary, prolonged sounds warrant an inspection and brake cleaning. However, if large debris has worn notable grooves in the rotors, replacement parts are necessary. 

Poor Quality Brake Components

Not all brake components are created equal. Don’t just order the cheapest parts you can find, as brakes are an area that you won’t want to cheap out on. Low-quality aftermarket brake pads may contain larger, less refined materials, resulting in noticeable squeaking from the moment they are installed. They may also wear quickly or gouge/groove the rotors, leading to costly repairs down the road. 

Low-quality replacement parts could be the issue if you notice squeaking directly after a brake job. Instead, use high-quality replacement parts from trusted brands, such as Powerstop, EBC, and Raybestos, to improve your chances of squeak-free performance. 

Poor Installation

Even if you’re using top-quality brake parts, squealing may still occur due to installer error. Missing anti-rattle clips, misaligned pads, and loose hardware can lead to a subpar installation, resulting in audible squeaking every time you apply the brakes. If you’ve recently replaced your ride’s brakes and notice a squeak afterwards, it may be worth verifying that the installation was done properly. 

Overheated Brakes

Hard braking, especially while towing or navigating mountainous terrain, can cause your vehicle’s brakes to overheat. When this happens, the pad material may glaze over, creating a smooth, hardened surface that reduces performance and increases noise. 

Overheated brakes often produce a burning smell or discoloration of the rotors. If overheated aggressively, the brake system may need resurfacing to restore performance. 

Damaged Components

Sometimes, brakes can still squeak even if they were installed correctly using high-quality parts. Freak accidents happen, such as broken hardware, bent dust shields from running over debris, or warped rotors from a rapid stop. A thorough brake inspection should reveal if any brake parts are damaged, and replacing those components should alleviate the squeak. 

How to Fix Squeaky Brakes 

If your brakes are squeaking, there’s probably a reason. To determine the cause of the noise and address the problem, you’ll need to analyze the brakes, localize the problem, and repair the issue. Follow these steps to get the job done. 

Step 1: Inspect the Brake Pads and Rotors

Before disassembling the vehicle, try inspecting the brake pads for excessive wear. While it may be difficult to see the pad level through the spokes, consider using a scope, a mechanic's mirror, or even a cell phone camera to get a clear image of the brake pad. 

If the brake pads have plenty of life, take a good look at the rotors. While applying the brakes naturally wears grooves into rotors, you shouldn't notice any deep ridges, gouges, grooving, or discoloration. 

Step 2: Clean the Brake System

If the rotors and pads check out, it’s time for the next least invasive solution—cleaning. Using brake parts cleaner, spray down the surface of the rotor and the point of contact between the pad and rotor to remove dirt, dust, and grease. If the brakes continue to make noise, move on to the next step. 

Step 3: Try an Anti-Squeal Lubricant

As we continue our solutions from least to most expensive, the next course of action is the use of an anti-squeal lubricant. This lubricant is designed for use on specific parts of the brake system, such as the anti-rattle clips and backing plates of the brake pads. Clean any surfaces to which you plan to apply the grease, use the lubricant as directed, and reinstall the brake components. If the noise persists, continue on. 

Step 4: Upgrade or Replace Parts

If the above steps had no impact on brake squealing, the next solution is to replace components. If you can isolate the noise to either the front or rear brakes, try to replace a pair of rotors and pads simultaneously. When replacing brake pads, you should always pair them with new or resurfaced rotors, and vice versa. 

If you’re not confident enough to perform the above tasks yourself, have a qualified mechanic inspect and address the issue. Brakes are a crucial component of every vehicle, and obtaining a professional’s opinion is always warranted. 

Shop Brakes and Brake Components at RealTruck

If your brakes are squeaking, don’t wait for the issue to worsen. Instead, browse our extensive inventory of complete replacement brake kits and individual brake components, including rotors, pads, calipers, and more. Whether you’re upgrading for performance or replacing worn components, RealTruck has the high-quality brake parts from trusted brands to get the job done.