Why are my brakes squeaking?
A light squeak for the first few stops on a damp morning is usually surface rust on the rotors and goes away on its own. A sharp, high-pitched squeal that keeps coming back usually means the brake pads are worn down to their built-in wear indicator, a small metal tab designed to make that noise. Get the pads measured soon, before it turns into grinding.
Normal squeaks vs warning squeals
| The sound | Likely cause | Urgency |
|---|---|---|
| Squeak on the first few stops after rain or overnight | Light rust on rotors | Normal, goes away |
| High squeal when braking, every time | Pad wear indicator | Get pads checked soon |
| Squeal when not braking, stops when you brake | Wear indicator lightly touching | Get pads checked soon |
| Squeak with new pads | Bedding in, or missing shims or lubricant | Check if it lasts |
| Grinding or growling | Pads worn through to metal | Stop and get it checked now |
The Peninsula's foggy mornings make the first kind very common, especially for cars parked outside.
Other causes
- Glazed pads or rotors from heavy braking, common on steep hills like those in Belmont, San Carlos and Hillsborough
- Missing anti-squeal shims or clips after a quick brake job
- Low-quality pads with hard compounds
- Debris like a small stone caught between the rotor and the dust shield
What we do
We take the wheels off, measure pad thickness at each wheel, check the rotors and hardware, and send you photos. If you have plenty of pad left and the noise is harmless, we'll say so. Brake service
From drivers who came to us
They addressed an issue with my brakes that the dealer had told me was just fine. They not only resolved my issue, but were quick and honest.
Upon tire rotation Derick let me know (by texting me photo proof) that my brake pads needed changing, my rear pads were almost non existent.
Excerpts from verified customer reviews on Yelp.
More questions
Is it safe to drive with squeaky brakes?
Usually, for a short time, if the car stops normally. A wear-indicator squeal means you have some pad left, but not much. Get them checked within a week or two.
My brakes are new and they squeak. Why?
New pads can squeak while they bed in, or if the hardware, shims or lubrication weren't installed correctly. If it doesn't settle after a few hundred miles, have them checked.
Why do my brakes squeak in reverse?
Pads can shift slightly in their brackets when the direction changes. A brief squeak in reverse is common and often harmless, but a constant one is worth a look.