Tips For Quieting Your Brakes Without Replacing Them

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How do you feel when your brakes squeal whenever you step on the pedal? If you are like most American motorists, then you find such noises infuriating and cannot endure them. Replacing your brakes with quieter ones may work, but you don't always have to resort to this extreme measure. Other ways of silencing your brake noise include:

Lubricate the Pads

Brake noises emanate from a variety of places, and the brake pad is one of them. Since the surfaces of the pads aren't perfectly smooth, they generate vibrations as the rotors pass over the bumps. Lubricating the surface of the pads will help to dampen the vibrations and reduce the noise generated by the pads.

For this to work, however, you must use a lubricant specifically formulated for this purpose. This is because the friction generated on the surfaces of the pads leads to very high temperatures. Only-high temperature brake lubricants will work since they will not melt and run off. Ask your mechanic for a recommendation.  

Spray the Rotors

The brake rotors also have their irregularities. The irregularities are microscopic, so they are not visible to the naked eye. The tiny pits and valleys contribute to the vibrations when the brakes are engaged.

A useful way of dampening the vibrations in this part of the brake system is to spray the rotors with microfine aluminum particles. The particles settle on the surface of the rotors and form a molecular bond with it. The composite surface leads to a finer burnish after the pads settle. The upside is that the action of the sprays does not last forever.

Clean the Brakes

The brake dust in drum brakes also generates brake noise. The dust particles prevent the smooth movement of the brakes, and this leads to brake noises.

Fortunately, the solution is as simple as removing the drum and clearing away the dust particles. Although you may be tempted to blow out the drums with compressed air (and it will work), you shouldn't do it due to health concerns. The microscopic particles may endanger your health if they get into your lungs. Take your car to the mechanic for professional cleaning.

It's clear that brake noises have various causes; in fact, these three are just a few examples. A mechanic's diagnosis (such as one from Steven & Francine's Complete Automotive Repair Inc) will pinpoint the root of the problem. After that, you can analyze the corrections suggested by your mechanic and opt for the most appropriate solution. If all else fails, then you can always update your brakes to more modern/quieter ones. 

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25 June 2015

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