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Do your brakes make a squeaking, grinding, or hissing sound? Don't ignore your vehicle's brake noise - it is an indication of a problem that needs to be addressed. Whether you’re driving in downtown Victoria, BC or cruising around the island, it’s essential to understand what brake noise means and what may be causing it. In this blog post, we'll decode the brake noise and give you insights into what the different sounds mean for your vehicle. 

Squeaking, screeching, and grinding sounds when you press your brake pedal indicates it's time to bring your vehicle for a brake checkup. Squeaking or squealing noise generally means different things for older and newer vehicles. If you have an older vehicle with drum brakes, your brakes may squeal due to improper lubrication or worn-out brake shoes. On the other hand, newer vehicles are equipped with disc brakes that produce squeaky sounds due to dust accumulation on the brake pads. A quick brake service at our auto repair shop in Victoria, BC, will solve the issue.

Grinding Sounds

Do you hear a grinding noise when you press your brakes? This is a severe sign that indicates metal-to-metal contact between your brake pad and rotor. If you don't address this issue, it could lead to costly repairs later. Grinding sounds usually occur when the brake pads are completely worn out and require immediate replacement. Grinding increases the risk of an accident, so don't delay a brake repair or replacement when it's due.

Hissing Sounds

Hissing noise when you step on the brake pedal is a signal of an underlying issue with the master cylinder or vacuum booster. A failing master cylinder can prevent brake fluid from adequately flowing through the brake lines, causing air and hydraulic fluid to mix, leading to hissing noises. Failure to fix this issue makes your braking system prone to failure and could cause accidents.

Thudding Sounds

If you hear a thudding sound when attempting to stop your vehicle, it could mean that faults or cracks have developed in the brake system, like loose or broken suspension components or worn-out steering linkage parts. These parts may also cause the brakes to react poorly due to system instability or misalignment.

In conclusion, brake noise is an early sign of brake problems that should never be ignored. Always be attentive to the different sounds that your car makes, and if you hear unusual brake noise, book a brake checkup appointment at our auto repair shop in Victoria, BC. Ignoring brake noise could lead to more significant safety issues, and expensive repairs. Remember, proper vehicle maintenance will keep you, your passengers, and others on the road safe. Schedule a service today with Big O Tire Victoria.