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Have you ever experienced strange noises when you hit the brakes? It is an early sign of concern, for it can affect your car’s performance and lead to accidents.
Many drivers neglect these signs because they may seem trivial.
To give us an overview of what we should know to avoid car brake pad rubbing on the rotor, let’s explore the causes and solutions below.
Car Brake Pad Rubbing on Rotor – Causes
Deteriorated Brake Pads
Car brakes are critical parts of every vehicle since they influence whether or not your automobile stops.
It’s a preemptive measure to have scheduled maintenance to check on your brakes because you might have a worn component in its system, such as the brake pads.
If you constantly have strange noises every time you step on the brakes, you might have a deteriorated brake pad.
These noises come from the metal portion of the brake pads that is rubbing against the rotor.
Naturally, brake pads will deteriorate over time, and the squeaking noise is an indication that it needs replacement. Additionally, this will cause heating in your brake system.
Solution
Brake pads can be replaced and can be bought on the counter.
If you already have a deteriorated brake pad, replace it as soon as possible with a new one to ensure perfect safe driving.
Make sure that you will buy the best brake pads, as low-quality brake pads will deteriorate faster.
Apart from performance, cheap brake pads are sometimes poorly manufactured and produced. It might have defects that may cause significant damage to your brake system.
By purchasing a recognized brand of brake pads, you will save money in the long run.
Dusty And Rusty Brake System
You may also notice an accumulation of dust in your brake system. The occurrence of dust will mean that the entire brake system is dirty.
It may also make the brake pads and the rotor rusty. It could result in a car brake pad rubbing the rotor for the piston can’t return entirely to its previous position.
Usually, dust will go inside the small spaces on your brake system until it gets trapped there.
It may also go in and stay in your drum brakes, which will cause uneven braking and noise that you should bear every day whenever this happens.
Furthermore, this dust can go into your brake caliper slides, creating functioning problems with your brake pads.
It will generate vibration and noises that will cause more problems if not fixed.
Solution
Inspecting the brake system once in a while will be a key for safe and quiet driving. Clean and remove every foreign material that you can see on the affected brake component.
Remove the brake pad components and clean or replace them as required. You should also lubricate each added disk brake but never its braking surfaces.
Remember to check the brake pads, and if they are worn below a specific thickness, you should replace them immediately.
Damaged And Deformed Rotor
Your rotor will eventually wear over time, and this will result in a deformed and damaged state.
The rotor surface will make unintended contact with the brake pads that will cause noise problems within your brake system, leading to a car brake pad rubbing on the rotor.
Solution
A maintenance inspection should be done for each car’s rotor to ensure no signs of damage.
Moreover, if you can see heat spots and cracks on your rotor, go to the nearest auto shop and get a replacement.
Dry Or Unlubricated Brakes
In a single moment that you have experienced a squeaking sound when you hit the brakes, you may instinctively think that your car isn’t properly lubricated. Yes, you are undoubtedly correct.
Any mechanical object should be lubricated at all costs to maintain efficiency. It might be problematic or even lead to accidents if you ignore this.
Unlubricated brake systems can, in a way, make your car experience problems sooner.
Solutions
Lubricating all the necessary parts of your brake system is just a simple get-go, and it is also a solution to prevent a car brake pad from rubbing on the rotor.
Faulty Wheel Bearings
The least probable cause of braking sounds will lead to a car brake pad rubbing on the rotor.
You may have a faulty wheel bearing if you hear grinding noises from your wheels or when you feel sensations oscillating in between loud and quiet.
Along with the noise, you’ll almost certainly experience vibrations in your steering wheel when driving.
Solution
Change the faulty wheel bearings as soon as possible as it will get things worst. It will further misalign the components of your brake system.
Cheap Brake Linings
If you have been using a poor-quality brake lining, you are one step towards experiencing car problems.
Poor-quality equipment and replacement wear faster than high-quality and branded ones.
These could cause a loud noise in your brake system and eventually make your car brake pad rub on the rotor.
Solution
Cheap brake pads tend to produce a lot of noise and harm the components. Get branded and trusted brake pads with the finest friction material.
With that, you won’t be wasting your time going to every auto shop.
Auto Parts Misalignment
One cause of car brake pad rubbing on the rotor is a misalignment of the auto parts.
If you experience vibrations or even hear irritating brake sounds, one of the brake system components is probably missing or misaligned.
Once the caliper is fitted to the disk and tightened, the bind is formed by the outer pad (wheel side) continually pushing against the disk, making your car brake pad rubbing on the rotor.
In rare cases, the wheel bearing may be the binding source between the disk and pads, particularly if the bearing is forced into the hub assembly.
If the bearing and flange are not entirely forced in, the flange to which the disk is attached sticks out more than it should, causing the bind.
Solution
Further inspection of your brake system should ensure everything is okay. Using an incorrect, misaligned and missing component will lead you to nowhere.
Conclusion
Suppose you detect weird noises emanating from the insides of your car when braking and notice vibration and poor braking performance; you could be experiencing a car brake pad rubbing on the rotor.
You should immediately schedule maintenance and inspection to avoid more significant problems.
It is one way of preventing yourself and your family from danger. Remember always that a loud vehicle is a risky sign to drive.
Go and get a reliable mechanic with the best auto parts components that you can find. That will surely help you in the long run.
James has been a car enthusiast since his childhood when he learned the differences between a ford and a chevy from his father. He loves to drive and restore old cars with a special drive for Italian marvels. Currently, he has a 1968 Alfa Romeo. He has studied aeronautics and civil aviation in his college and still gets smitten by Galant SS and Lancer GSR.
He is a New York-based product training director working with a giant automotive retailer. He loves to review and uncover the vehicles and their fascinating stories. He believes in keeping it legitimate with a keen passion for research on the latest technological upgrades in cars. While reading his articles or blogs, you can sense the extensive research and dedication backing the piece of text. He loves fried chicken, music, and spending quality time with his pet dog.
