No, it is not normal for your brakes to squeal all the time. If they do, it’s a sign that you have a problem with your brake system that could include the brakes overheating. If your brakes are overheating, they can fail, so Ideal Automotive recommends that you bring your vehicle to our shop as soon as possible if your brakes are squealing constantly.
Anti-Rattle Clips
The brake pads are attached to the calipers using pad stays and anti-rattle clips. Over time, the anti-rattle clips can break. This, consequently, causes the brake pads and stays to vibrate when you apply the brakes. This vibration will make your brakes squeal all the time. Replacing the broken anti-rattle clips usually resolves the issue and keeps the pad stays and brake pads where they are supposed to be.
Brake Pads
Speaking of the brake pads, if your brake pads are wearing down past their lifespan, they will start to squeal all the time. It could be that there isn’t enough pad surface left to generate friction and, as such, the brake pads are glazed. Glazing means the brake pads have smoothed out and are squealing. You may also have indicators embedded in the brake pads that are designed to make noise once the brake pads need to be replaced. This could also be the cause of your brake squeal.
Brake Pad Insulation
Brake pad insulation prevents the brake pads from squealing. This insulation is installed in your automobile when it is built in the manufacturing plant. Any time you have your brake pads changed, the insulation must be changed, as well. If it isn’t changed at that time, the lack of brake pad insulation will make your brakes squeal all the time.
Overheating Brakes
As we said in the introduction to this blog post, if your brakes are squealing all the time, it is possible that they are overheating. Another sign that your brakes are overheating is hot or burning smells. It is so important that you stop driving your automobile if your brakes are overheating. Overheating brakes will eventually fail because the brake pads and rotors are glazed and cannot generate friction.
Rotor Surfaces
Finally, your rotor surfaces are gradually worn away by the brake pads. Once the rotors are smooth, your brakes will squeal all the time. A general recommendation to keep the rotors in good shape is to have their surfaces recut every 60,000 miles.
Ideal Automotive in Blaine, MN, would be happy to inspect your brakes to find out why they are squealing all the time. Once we get to the bottom of the issue, we will let you know what it will take to fix it.
