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Do you notice that the brake pedal squeaks when pressed and released? That’s a clear sign that you’ve got a faulty brake pedal. Applying lubricants may seem an ideal option to you, but no, what if the brakes are worn out already, or the rotors are rusted?
Squeaky brake pedals are a result of insufficient lubrication in the brake regions, worn-out pedals, or faulty rotors. But these are not the only causes, there could be other causes such as wetness in the brake region.
If you’re looking for solutions to fix your squeaky brake pedals, we compiled a ton of useful information below.
Brake Pedal Squeaks When Pressed and Released? Here’s What To Do
It is not normal for the brake pedal to squeak – whether when pressed or released. So, if this is happening, then something is wrong in the brake region.
However, before proceeding further, it is important to figure out where the squeaky noise is coming from, actually – sometimes, it may not even be the brake pedal.
So, how do you troubleshoot to find out where the noise is coming from? Here’s a simple trick; press the brake pedal when the car is off, or in “Park” gear. When you apply the brakes when the car is turned off, or in park, pay attention to where the squeaky noise is coming from.
If the noise is coming from inside the cabin, the pedals are mostly the cause, but if the noise seems to be coming from outside, or you can’t hear the noise any longer, then it’s not the pedals. With this exercise, if you confirmed the brake pedal is the cause of the noise, hereunder is what could have made the pedal go bad.
Why Does My Brake Pedal Squeak When Pressed and Released?
1. Lack of Lubrication
This is one of the common causes of brake-related issues. When the engine and drivetrain lack sufficient lubrication, the components would start to wear out faster, or get rust. When this happens, the components would not be able to perform smoothly as designed.
Using the wrong lubricant/brake fluid for your vehicle can also cause the brake pedals to make squeaky noise when applied. If lubrication was the problem, then topping up the lubricant fluid would fix everything back to normal.
2. Worn Out, or Old Brake Lines
Another common reason why you’re hearing that awkward squeaky sound when you brake is that your vehicle brake lines are “too” old, or already worn out. Apparently, when a metallic surface wears out and come in contact with another hard surface, you’re sure to hear some awkward noise.
To troubleshoot this, you need to check the brake lines that run from the master cylinder. If the line is ruptured, the hydraulic fluid would be drained, and this is a critical situation; so, you would need to work fast to fix the faulty brake line and top up more fluid.
3. Air in the Lines
When there is air in the brake lines, you would most likely hear a squeaky noise when you apply the brakes. To remove the air, you should have a professional do that for you – so that it’d be done rightly.
4. Brake Cable Tension Problems
Here’s another common reason why you may hear squeaky noise as you press down, or release the brake pedals.
Cable tension problems are uncommon with disc brakes, but they could still occur on vehicles with such brakes. For vehicles with drum brakes, if the cable tension is loose, you only need to tighten it and the issue is fixed.
What More?
The brake pedal squeaks when pressed and released? The common fixes may include tightening the cable tension, checking the brake lines, and adding new hydraulic fluid.
However, if a brake line, or components such as the caliper, is faulty or worn out, then you need to go for replacement.