Why does my breaks

Schedule an appointment at your local Firestone Complete Auto Care at the first sign of brake grinding. At Firestone Complete Auto Care, we'll examine your brake system and provide you with a thorough report of its health. If repairs are needed, we'll make sure you know about all of our latest brake coupons and discounts to help keep your car running newer, longer. Blog Categories Blog Home. Why Are My Brakes Grinding? Up Next. Dashing through the snow in a four-door sleigh?

No matter what kind of vehicle you drive, watching for these cold weather brake problems can help you stay safe. Stop and smell If you catch a whiff of burning brakes, it could be due to overheated brake pads, new brake parts, or a forgotten parking brake.

What do your brakes sound like when it's time to change the pads? Kind of like a squealing pig. Please adjust the options below so we can estimate the most accurate monthly payments. Columbia, SC. More from Godwin Motors. New Year Maintenance Checklist. Do I Need New Tires? Search for:. When crystallization of pad and rotor occurs, there is much less friction.

This results in diminished braking power and squealing brakes. At this point the pads must be replaced and the rotors resurfaced or replaced. AOL Autos: Are extended warranties worth it? The brake pad is loosely held in place on the caliper by pad stays. An additional part called an anti rattle clip is used to secure the pad so that it will not vibrate or rattle when the brake is applied. If anti rattle clips are worn or broken, pad vibration will cause squealing.

In this case, the clips must be replaced. AOL Autos: Maintenance is the key. When a car comes from the factory, insulation shims are placed against the steel backing of the pad to insulate it from the brake caliper. This is necessary to prevent brake squeal. These shims eventually wear out or they are discarded when a brake job is performed.

When the pads are replaced, either the shims must be replaced or silicone insulation gel must be applied to prevent squeal. If you had your front brakes replaced recently and they're squealing, take it back to the shop and make sure the shims were installed or gel was used. AOL Autos: Eight great auto questions. When a brake job is performed, the rotors must be resurfaced to remove any glazing and return the surface to "true.

Once the rotor face is "true," a slow, non-directional finish is applied to the rotor face to ensure proper break-in of the pads. This process also insures that the pads don't ride up on the face of the rotor when braking. Riding up of the pads can cause a clicking noise, the breaking of anti rattle clips, or caliper pin wear.