I think it's really important to know a bit about the internals of a car, so that when you are getting your car serviced you can talk intelligently with the auto technician. As well, there are many easy DIY jobs you can do on your car to save your some money which can make all the difference when you are young and starting out. This site is where I am recording everything I am teaching my kids about auto servicing, and because I think it will be useful to many other families as well. I hope you find it useful for your family.
Teaching my kids abouts cars
Unusual Brake Sounds and What They Mean for Your Car
Kenzi Jacobs
One of the easiest way to determine whether you need car repairs is to listen out for unusual noises or sounds. Many failing car components will often produce a strange sound depending on the underlying issue. The brakes are a key safety mechanism when you're on the road. For this reason, it is significant to watch out for any signs that your car brakes could be failing. Problematic car brakes may produce unusual sounds. Different sounds are usually an indicator of different brake problems. Therefore, understanding what the noise from your brakes means will help you know the required repairs and plan accordingly. Here are some of the sounds you may hear from your brakes and what they mean.
Squealing/Squeaking Noises
Before you get too worried about the squeaking or squealing of your brakes, the noises could simply be a result of debris and dust and debris accumulating on your brake pads. Try driving through a car wash or running some water from your garden hose on the insides of your tyres for a few minutes. If you still hear the noises, then you have a more serious underlying issue. Most modern cars come with a brake pad wear indicator that is usually made of metal. When your brake pads start wearing down, the metal will come into contact with the brake rotor, producing the squeaking and squealing sounds. In most cases, the sound will disappear when you step on the brakes. This is often the first sign that you need to replace the brake pads.
Grinding Noises
If you ignore the squealing sounds, you will end up with grinding noises. You should never reach this point because it is an indicator that the brake pads are completely worn. The grinding is usually a result of the metal backing plate on the brake pads coming into contact with the brake rotor. The brake rotors can even be damaged in the process, which means the brake pads will not be the only brake repairs you will have to make and that could be very expensive.
Thumping Noises
Do you hear thumping especially from the front wheels when you step on the brakes? You could be dealing with out-of-shape brake rotors. This is often caused by warped brake rotors or a build-up of material on the rotors. In the latter case, the material can be machined off, and you won't have to buy new rotors, which can be quite costly.
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