Your brakes are one of the most important safety systems in your entire vehicle, and it’s crucial that they function properly on the Texarkana, TX roads. But, sometimes your brakes seem to have a mind of their own. Why are my brakes making noise when stopping? Why are my brakes making a grinding sound when driving? Toyota of Mt. Pleasant is here to help you troubleshoot, and our service center is ready to get your car back in gear in Mt. Pleasant!
What Sounds Are Your Brakes Making?
Before we answer “Why are my car brakes making noise?”, we have to locate the sound. Do you hear a high pitched noise? More like a low-pitched thumping? These clues can help us identify the issue quickly, so you can get back on the Longview, TX roads in no time. Here are some of the most common braking sounds that we hear at our service center.
My Brakes are Squealing
If your brakes are making noise when stopping, your brake pads are often the culprit. Many brake pads contain a built-in metal tab that becomes exposed as the pads wear down. This creates a signature squealing or squeaking noise, which means it’s time for a replacement set. Here are some other reasons you might hear this noise:
- Cheap brake pads may contain metal flakes, which can also create a squeaking noise over time.
- If you notice the squealing noise right after getting a new set of brake pads, wait a few days to see if they break in.
- Dirt or debris caught on your brake pads can also create strange squeaks and squeals on the Paris, TX road.
My Brakes are Grinding
If you continue to drive on worn-out brake pads, the sound will switch from a squeal to a grinding noise. That’s because the metal backing plates of your brake pads will start grinding against the rotors. This also compromises the power of your braking system, so it’s important to schedule a service as soon as possible. Otherwise, you risk even more damage to your car.
My Brakes are Thumping
A low-pitched thumping sound can be the result of several different things. We recommend trying to locate the sound on your drive up from Paris, TX. Do you hear the thumping from the rear of the vehicle or the front? Here are a few potential culprits:
- A thumping sound from the rear of the vehicle means there is an issue with your drum brakes. It’s likely that a component is misaligned, causing a rapid thumping sound as you drive.
- A thumping sound from the front of the vehicle means your brake rotors are warped. Braking produces a great deal of heat, which can eventually misshape your rotors. You might also notice vibrations in the steering wheel.
- A thumping sound from the front of the vehicle might also indicate dirty brake pads or rusty rotors. A quick brake service can easily reveal the source of the problem.
Schedule Your Brake Service with Toyota of Mt. Pleasant
If your car makes noise when braking, there’s no need to suffer in silence. Schedule your Toyota service appointment with Toyota of Mt. Pleasant today, and let us bring your car back to speed in Mt. Pleasant. Contact us with any questions in the meantime!
