Healthy brake pads are essential for your braking system, ensuring your car stops exactly when you want it to. The pads generate friction against the wheel rotors, and this friction stops the wheels. Pads have a limited life and slowly wear down. As your Chevy dealer in Medford, OR, we can fit new pads for you when the time comes. These are a few signs that your pads are wearing out.
Screeching Noises
Screeching sounds can be annoying, distracting, and scary at the same time. If you only hear a screeching when you hit the brakes, the cause of the noise is worn pads. Each pad has a 1/2″ thick friction material covering when it’s new. The material gradually wears down over time, and every pad needs replacement when it’s 1/4″ thick.
As a reminder to change your pads, pad manufacturers install a metal spike in each pad. When the pad is due for replacement, a spike becomes visible. The spike will scratch against the rotor when you brake as a loud reminder it’s time to change your pads. Call us when you hear screeching, and we’ll quickly fit new pads for you.
Grinding Noises
A grinding noise when you brake is usually a sign of damaged pads. As we saw, the pads need to be replaced when they start screeching. Pads that aren’t replaced will eventually wear out. The friction material covering disintegrates, and the bare metal of the pads will be exposed. The metal doesn’t provide friction, which increases your braking distance.
In addition, the metal pads will cut into the smooth surface of the rotors. This action causes grinding noises and can lead to major rotor damage. The rotors heat up, and any cuts in the surface can widen. If the problem is not fixed ASAP, one or more of your rotors could need replacement. We’ll examine the rotors, and we can resurface them if they’ve been damaged.
Clicking Noises
Strange clicking noises when you brake are usually a sign that the pads are loose. Pads fit into the brake calipers, which are positioned above each wheel rotor. The pads are held in place by pins, bolts, or clips, depending on your vehicle model. As the pads wear out, these fastenings can also weaken or get damaged.
The clicking sounds are generated by the metal pads moving around inside the calipers. Pads that aren’t securely in place affect the ability of the braking system to stop the affected rotor. We’ll examine the calipers when we replace the pads and repair any worn or damaged fastenings.
If your pads are worn or damaged, call us today at Airport Chevrolet GMC.
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