Published
Why do brakes judder or make noise, and when should you act?
A short squeal the first few times you brake after a rainy or damp night is normal, and it usually goes away after a few stops. A recurring squeal, a metallic grinding noise, a vibrating brake pedal or a change in how the brakes feel, on the other hand, tell you that the brakes need to be checked. Some symptoms mean you must stop driving straight away.
Stop driving if you notice any of these
- The brake pedal goes down further than usual or feels soft.
- The brake system warning light is on in the instrument cluster, and the parking brake is not on.
- The car pulls hard to one side when braking, or the braking power is clearly weaker.
- You hear a loud metallic grinding or smell burning from one of the wheels.
Stop in a safe place. Do not drive the car to a garage; call for a tow if you need one.
What the noises usually mean
A squeal after a damp night. While the car stands, a thin layer of rust forms on the surface of the brake discs, and it comes off with the first few stops. If the noise goes away and the brakes work normally, this is not a fault.
A constant high-pitched squeal. Many brake pads have a wear indicator that starts to squeal when there is little pad left. The pads then need replacing soon.
Metallic grinding or screeching. The friction material of the pad may be worn away, so that metal is rubbing against the brake disc. The braking power drops and the disc gets damaged. Have the brakes checked straight away, not at the next service.
A clunk as you start to brake. The cause may be a loose or worn part in the brakes or the suspension. That is worth having checked too.
Why brakes judder
If the brake pedal or the steering wheel vibrates only when you brake, the cause is usually the brake discs. The thickness of a disc can become uneven, or deposits can build up on its surface, so that the pad grips the disc unevenly. The judder is often most noticeable when braking from higher speeds.
If the car vibrates even when you are not braking, the cause is more likely in the wheels: imbalance, the rim or the tyre. In that case Wheel balancing (€79) may help, and you can book it online. The difference between vibration and pulling to one side is covered in our article on why a car pulls to one side.
When you describe the symptom, say when it happens
An accurate description of the symptom helps the mechanic. Write down whether the noise or vibration comes every time you brake or only sometimes, at what speed, under hard or light braking, and whether you feel it in the pedal, the steering wheel or the whole car.
Brake repairs are part of the repair work we carry out on our own premises for all makes, based on a quote. They cannot be booked online, so call or send a message and we will agree on a quote and a time.
Noisy brakes?
Repairs for all makes, price by quote. Tell us about the symptom by phone or in a message.