How To Stop Car Line Brake Squeeling

By Brian Klaubert

We have all been there before. You are inching your way through car line to pick up your son or daughter from school. Every time you inch forward, your car makes this embarrassing squealing noise. You are sure that every one in line around you is staring at you thinking, “they aren’t really going to let their children ride in that are they?”.

Well, it is not truly a safety issue. It is brake squeal. It is a tiny little vibration that makes a great deal of noise. It is very similar to running your finger around the edge of a crystal drinking glass. The noise is only generated when you have very light brake pressure and are at low speed. You probably also notice it when approaching a stop sign or traffic light at moderate speeds.

The noise usually first occurs after your brakes have overheated. If your rear brakes are out of adjustment, the front brakes do more work stopping the vehicle than they were designed for. The brakes overheat and cause blue spots on the rotor and glazing on the brake pads. Severe stop and go driving on the highway can also cause this problem on vehicles regardless of rear brake adjustment.

Unfortunately once that noise develops, the only way to eliminate it is to do a complete brake service. Fortunately it is usually only the front brakes that are making the noise.

Following all of the correct steps and using the highest quality brake pad are important to preventing the noise from recurring. A brake service includes machining the rotors. The rotors must be washed with soap and water to remove all of the metal filings. The back of the brake pads and the caliper slides must be lubricated to dampen any tendency to vibration. These steps add time to the brake service, and are skipped by many high volume brake service centers.

Brake pad manufacturers have literally invested millions of dollars in research in preventing brake squeal. Only their highest quality brake pad will incorporate all of the materials and design differences to prevent generating that tiny vibration.

If you have gotten a “bargain” brake service, there probably will not be a warranty against brake noise. After all, it is not a safety issue, only an annoyance. If you have paid more than $160 for your brake service, it should be warranted against brake noise.

Brian Klaubert owns Christian Brothers Automotive – Hamilton Mill in Dacula.