Brake Repair
Squeaky or Squealing Brakes? Have Them Inspected & Serviced at Archer Volkswagen
There are a number of sounds you can expect your car to make. The hum or purr of the engine, the growl when you step down hard on the accelerator, the "tick-tock-tick-tock" of the turn signal. But there are also sounds that you shouldn't hear, and squeaking or squealing is among them. If you've noticed that your car makes these noises, especially when you step on the brake pedal, it's time to have it inspected. Expert technicians like the ones at Archer Volkswagen have experience diagnosing the cause of noises like this. Once they've found the source of the problem, they can get to work fixing it. In general, there are a few common culprits you can expect if you hear this sound, as you'll see below.
What Could Cause the Brakes To Squeal? How Can These Problems Be Addressed?
Though there are a number of reasons your brakes might squeak or squeal, these are the ones the technicians will likely check for first, due to how common they are. For this list, we're looking specifically at disc brakes. Drum brakes may have similar problems causing them to squeak.
- Minor noises that go away. There are many things that could make brakes noisy that are really nothing to be worried about. If you've left your VW outside overnight, moisture could form a small layer of surface rust on the rotor. As this rust gets worn off by the brake pads, it can squeak. A bit of sand or dust between the rotors and the pads could also cause some noise, as could driving in cold weather.
- Low brake pads. Most modern brake pads have built-in wear indicators. These are small tabs on the brake pad that normally don't contact the rotor. But when the brake pad lining reaches its minimum thickness, the wear indicator will begin to drag along the disc, making a squeaking noise when you press the brake pedal. When this is the cause of the squeaking or squealing, its time for new VW-approved brake pads.
- Low-quality brake pads. If you've recently had your brake pads replaced by aftermarket components, they may be the cause of the problem. Cheap brake pads may cause squeaking and squealing. The best thing to do is to replace them with new Volkswagen-approved brake pads. We've also seen this problem with new brakes that weren't installed by a factory-certified technician.
- Glazed Brake Pads. Brake pads consist of tightly-packed particles designed to create enough stopping friction when clamped to the brake rotor. Most brake pads are made to endure the heat that this causes. However, excessive use during an emergency stop, maintaining a safe speed down a long hill, and other situations can cause too much heat. When brake pads become too hot, the brake pad material can melt. That's what happens when your brake pads are glazed. Think of melting sand to create glass, except this is happening to the brake pad material.
Schedule Your Next Squeaky Brake Inspection
When it comes to overly noisy brakes, we're happy to help at Archer Volkswagen.To schedule your appointment, reach us by phone or use our convenient online scheduling tool. We look forward to helping you get to the bottom of the issue.