Getting rid of an annoying brake squeal and other brake noise is like trying to cure a bad case of herpes, which is in fact caused by a combination of factors that sometimes add up to create noise.

Like everything else automotive, an annoying noise can be one of the first signs that's something's wrong, or it might mean nothing at all is amiss. It's up to you to quickly figure out which. Keep in mind that, in most cases, a persistent noise, even after the brakes have warmed up, indicates that a repair is in order. To help determine whether squealing brakes are simply a nuisance or an ominous sign, here's a quick run-through of the disc brake action that starts with the foot on the brake pedal and ends with a stopped vehicle.

Brake Action

The pedal pressurizes a hydraulic system that pushes the brake caliper pistons out of the calipers, contacting the brake pads and pressing them against the spinning brake rotors. The contact of the pad's friction material on the rotors converts kinetic energy into heat and slows the vehicle. The obvious first step in the squeal search is to eliminate serious system problems. Brakes do not simply fail—they deteriorate. One element of the system wears and, over time, takes the rest of the system with it.

Brake squeal is really a high frequency vibration. In disc brakes, it can be caused by vibrations between the pads and rotors, the pads and calipers, or the calipers and their mounts. In drum brakes, the vibrations can originate between the shoes and drums, or between the shoes and backing plates.

A few tips on eliminating brake noise

SHAKY PADS . One way to quiet noisy pads is to make sure the pads fit tightly in the calipers.

QUIETING THE CALIPERS. Cleaning and lubricating the caliper mounts can also help dampen vibrations to quiet the brakes. Vibrations here can be caused by worn or loose mounts or mounting hardware.

NOISY BRAKE PADS. Some pads are noisy than others. If the original pads are too noisy and can't be quieted by insulator shims, noise compound or grease, therefore, replacing them may be the only way to get rid of the noise.

BRAKE PAD REPLACEMENT. Some brands and grades of aftermarket brake linings are quieter than others. So you may have to experiment with several different ones to find the quietest set for a given application. Whether a new set of brake pads need to be broken-in or not, you should still test drive the vehicle to make sure the brakes are operating properly and that your efforts to eliminate the noise problem have been successful.

BRAKE ROTOR RESURFACING. In addition to replacing the brake pads, it may be necessary to resurface the rotors to cure a noise problem. To brake quietly, the rotors have to be in good condition, relatively smooth and flat.

DRUMS. One of the leading causes of brake squeal in drum brakes is brake dust inside the drum. Removing the drum and cleaning the brakes, therefore, may be necessary to eliminate this kind of noise. Use a brake cleaner or brake washer to clean the brakes.

There are still other causes of brake noises which include weak or loose hardware, and vibrations between the shoes and the raised pads on the backing plates.

Tymone Oaklin is a mechanic with 20 years of experience in the Redondo Beach Brake and Tune industry. He has experience with every brake and brake system that is available on every car that is manufactured today.

Tymone Oaklin is a mechanic with 20 years of experience in the Brake and Tune industry. He has experience with every brake and brake system that is available on every car that is manufactured today. You can visit his website at “http://www.brakeandtunecenter.com/”.