Brake Noise? Here Are The Top 4 Things To Look For

One of the most important safety features of ANY automobile is it's ability to stop. Our customers' place such a high value on their car's ability to slow and stop this is why we pay attention when they complain about the brake issues.

Let's review the four most common brake complaints and how to resolve them. #1. Brake Noise Hearing brake noise, or what sounds like finger nails on a chalk board, is the most obvious sounds for drivers today. Unwanted movement of brake components can also cause brake noise. So how do you fix it? Keep brake components in place per factory specifications and properly prepare surfaces during service. Things to look for on braking components are things like binding, corrosion, lack of lubrication, and worn or damaged components, clean the caliper moving parts and retaining hardware. Clean pin bores with a round wire brush to make for a smooth operation. Doing so will ensure safe travel on the roadways.

#2. Pulsation

Do you feel a pulsation in your brake petal when you push it? If so this can mean your brake rotors are warping causing a vibration in your petal. Also do not forget to check the hubs.Hubs can be the culprit while the rotor shows the symptoms.

If your brake rotors check out fine and you still feel pulsation make sure the tire and wheel assemblies are all in balance. They can cause similar pulsation that you would feel by a rotor problem.

Below is an example of a warped rotor:

#3 Dust

Once you apply brake pressure to your brake rotors, small amounts of brake pad material starts to burn off of your brake pads. This material is known as brake dust. This material deposits throughout the braking system and in and around the surrounding wheel.

It's always a good rule of thumb to get your brake dust deposits blown out during a regular brake check of brake job at your local mechanic.

Here is an example of excessive brake dust:

#4. Excessive Brake Wear

We hear all types of brake complaints but it usually is a result of lack of maintenance. Brake wear on your vehicle will vary due to driving conditions but overall the brake pads will have more wear and failure from abuse like overloading your vehicle, making short, stop-and-go trips or even leaving one foot on the brake pedal while driving. 

Here is an example of excessive brake wear where the brake pads worn down into the backing plate and then the car owner continued to drive making a metal to metal contact on the brake rotor (very unsafe).

Here at Rick's Auto we have brake front or rear jobs that range from $250-$300 depending on what kind of brake system you have. Make an appointment today to get a brake check making your family safe.

Rick's Complete Automotive

6560 Railroad Ave.

Forestville, CA 95436

707.887.1641

ricktacla@gmail.com