WHAT DOES BRAKE NOISE REALLY MEAN?
An out-of-the-ordinary noise is often a sign that something is wrong with our vehicle. Sometimes, it may be nothing, but if the noise persists, it’s usually best to take it to an Omaha auto service provider. Brakes can often be the culprit of a questionable noise and are certainly an important aspect of keeping the vehicle well-maintained.
Brakes can make noises when wet, or if the vehicle hasn’t been used in awhile. Most likely, you’ll only need to bring the vehicle in if the noise continues even after the brakes warm up. Brakes do not just stop working; they wear out over time. Commonly, there’s wear and tear to the brake pad or the rotor that the pad rides against. These items can cause a domino effect and create expensive repairs if not taken care of in a timely manner.
A certain amount of brake noise on certain vehicles is to be expected because of the harder semi-metallic brake pads that are used in many front-wheel drive cars and minivans. If something isn’t “wrong” with your vehicle, but there is brake noise, your Omaha auto service provider should be able to lessen the noise by installing noise suppression shims or resurfacing the rotors and replacing the pads.
If a squeal noise occurs when the brakes are hot, this is normal. As they heat up they become noisier and less effective. If this metallic scraping noise occurs at other times, your brake lining may need to be replaced. If you’ve noticed a change in the way a vehicle brakes or if the pedal feels low you certainly need to replace the brake lining.
There are other conditions that can contribute to brake problems including glazed or worn rotors, too rough a finish on resurfaced rotors, loose brake pads, missing pad insulators, shims, springs or anti-rattle clips, rusty or corroded caliper mounts, worn caliper mounts and loose caliper mounting hardware. If you think you may have issues with your brakes, first pay attention to the noise and when it’s occurring and assess if you should bring it into an Omaha auto service facility. Don’t delay with brake issues, as well-functioning brakes are critical to your safety.
