Can brakes make noise when not braking?

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asked Feb 11, 2022 in Repairs/Maintenance by mypenguin (1,320 points)
Can brakes make noise when not braking?

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answered Feb 12, 2022 by Carraogo (1,560 points)
Brakes can make noise when not braking due to the wear indicator making contact with the brake rotors or if the brake pads are not releasing from the brake rotors due to a worn brake caliper or bad brake caliper.

The vehicles brakes can squeal when they are not applied.

Usually, this is because the brake-pad-wear indicator is touching the rotor.

If the wear indicator is touching the rotor, sometimes the noise disappears when you apply the brakes and returns when your foot comes off the pedal.

A grinding sound when you drive can be a sign of worn wheel bearings, worn wheel bearing hub assembly, debris or dirt in the brakes, worn brake pads etc.

Brake pads have a wear indicator that is meant to grind on the brakes when you press the brakes when the brake pad is worn.

However if the brakes are grinding it could be that the brake pads are not releasing due to a bad brake caliper or the wheel bearings are bad.

Worn CV Joints might also sometimes cause a grinding noise but most often they will cause a clunking sound.

Brakes should normally not grind or make any sounds while driving.

However sometimes rocks, dirt or other debris may get between the brake pads and rotors etc and cause the brakes to grind.

Also brake pads have a wear indicator on them that scrape against the brake rotors when the brake pads wear down and need replaced.

So when the brake pads wear indicator is scraping or grinding it's in indicator that the brake pads are worn down and need replaced.

So if your brakes are grinding when driving you should inspect the brake pads to see if they need replaced.

If you hear a constant screeching or grinding sound, even while not braking, it could mean you have something lodged in your brake caliper.

It could be anything like a small stone, a piece of gravel, or any small object.

Leaving a foreign item in the brake system can cause severe damage to the brake disc.

Sometimes grinding noises when driving can also be an indicator of worn wheel bearings so if the brakes are not the cause of the grinding then it could be the wheel bearings or wheel hub assembly needing replaced.

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