My brakes make lots of noise and they vibrate
The rotors in my 2007 Ford Edge are not very high quality and don’t work that well. They make a lot of noise, either wobbling and vibrating the vehicle or just squeaking loudly every time the brakes are tapped. I replaced the brake pads and rotors at 36,000 miles and now I am at 64,000 and the replacement parts have failed. I own this vehicle and the warranty is up, so should I just go with aftermarket parts? I am sick of the factory junk.
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
There are several high quality aftermarket brake parts available. Some noteworthy manufacturers are EBC, Wagner, Bendix and Bosch, to mention a few. The symptoms that you describe have multiple possibilities of causes that are good for you to be aware of. Squeals are always caused by micro vibrations of components while braking. Quality of materials, hardware, and anti-squeal compounds and insulators play a part in preventing this. Wobbling and vibrating can be caused by warped or uneven brake rotor surfaces. Although, loose steering components can also contribute to these symptoms. In regards to frequent brake replacement and short life of components, your driving conditions will also play a part, such as, frequent stop and go driving, city vs. traffic, steep uphill and downhill driving where one applies brakes for long periods of time (as when coasting down steep hills), driving with two feet, and conscientiously resting one foot on the brake pedal.
To sum up your question, the answer is yes, you can go with quality aftermarket parts. Many independent shops and services, such as YourMechanic, provide quality parts when performing brake repairs.
How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?
Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced mechanics :
Brake system issues: If the vibration or steering-wheel shake only occurs when you apply the brakes, it`s likely time to have your brake pads and rotors checked.
The most likely reason that you feel vibrations through the brake pedal is because a brake rotor — the rotating disc that the brake pads are pressed against by the calipers to slow the wheel — is unevenly worn, or what some call “warped.” (It`s unlikely that a rotor could truly be warped from normal use as opposed to a …
There are a few different reasons why your brakes may still be grinding after you`ve replaced the pads or rotors: It could be as simple as the brake pads need time to settle in. They`re a bit stiff at first and can make noises like grinding or squealing for a little while before they get comfortably worn in.
One possible cause is debris or dirt stuck in the brakes, which can create friction and lead to a grinding noise. Another potential reason is a misalignment of the brake calipers, causing them to rub against the rotor instead of smoothly pressing against it.
If the rotor is warped or has a variation in thickness, you may find your vehicle shakes when braking, or the steering wheel could shake, or the brake pedal may pulsate. Have your brake system checked and, if a damaged rotor is the problem, the part can be replaced.
Any unusual shaking or vibrating forces coming from the engine is cause for concern. It could be something as simple as old spark plugs producing an uneven power delivery, it could be something serious like worn or broken engine mounts, or it could be even more serious in the case of internal engine damage.
1) Your pedal vibrated because the ABS (anti-lock braking system) was activated. If the pedal vibrations (pulsing and groaning noises, too) happened when you e-braked, chances are ABS was activated. ABS prevents your tyres from locking up, which could lead to an uncontrollable skid.
Some common symptoms of bad rotors include vibration or pulsation in the steering wheel, high-pitched squealing noise when braking, shaking steering wheel, brake pedal pulsing, vehicle taking a long time to stop, loud bangs while braking, large edges on the outer part of the brake rotor, and scratch marks on the rotor.
If your rotors are faulty, they may produce a squeaking, squealing, or grinding sound when you apply the brakes. Warped rotors usually emit a high-pitched squeak, while severely worn rotors tend to make a scraping noise.
How to identify if my rotor is loose? To check if your rotor is loose, you may begin with basic observation. Give your watch a few shakes and listen to the sound the watch is making. If you hear a scraping sound, which is like a metallic sound that scrapes the case back or movement, your rotor most likely is loose.
If you hear grinding noises when stopping or slowing down, your brake pads are most likely the issue. Remember, over time your brake pads lose their thickness and begin to make squealing noises known as “brake scrubbing.” As your pads wear down further, you`ll hear a grinding noise instead.
A clunking noise from under your car while braking at lower speeds doesn`t mean it`s the end. It does mean that there may be an issue with your car`s braking system –usually a worn-out part. More specifically, a clunking noise when braking can be due to worn or damaged discs, rotors, calipers, and backing plates.
A stuck brake caliper can also cause brake vibration. The caliper is the device that the brake pads are attached to, and a caliper pushes the brake pads to take hold of the rotors when you apply the brakes. Calipers can get stuck and when they do, you`ll experience shaking or a powerful pull to one side or the other.
Failing Pulley Bearings: When the bearings in a pulley begin to fail, it can produce both rattling and squealing sounds. This can easily be confused for other problems, including a stretched belt, loose exhaust components and more.
Common problems with flexplates
A cracked flexplate can allow for unintended movement and can be heard rattling while the engine is idling. If the flexplate is warped or cracked, owners can expect a whole host of problems: Rattling, grinding, or clunking noises from the back of the engine during idle.
Uneven brake pads: When the brake fluid gets low, the pedals cannot depress brake pads with the same amount of pressure. This causes uneven wear on the pads. In turn, you experience squeaking, squealing, and grinding when you apply the brakes. The vehicle may also rumble and vibrate when you use the brakes.
If you suspect you have warped rotors or your brakes are failing, it is important that you avoid driving your vehicle and contact a qualified mechanic right away. Driving with warped rotors potentially will result in a brake system failure, which can cause injury to yourself and those around you.
Many factors determine how long your rotors will last, but you can generally expect them to require replacing somewhere between 30,000 and 70,000 miles of driving. For an average driver covering 12,000 miles per year, this means that brake rotors may need replacing anytime between 2 1/2 years and six years of driving.
Using data provided by Federal Highway Administration statistics on how many miles people drive annually, typical brake pads will last between 3 and 7 years. Brake rotors last roughly 70,000 miles, but they need to be inspected for uneven wear.
Early on, it might sound like something is rubbing when you let off the brake pedal. Ignore that and you will eventually hear a metallic grinding, scraping, or rubbing sound that indicates metal-on-metal contact in your brake system. A less-common occurrence is the sound of a “clunk” when you hit the brake pedal.
If you feel the shaking or vibration in your steering wheel and your brake pedal, it could be your rotors. The rotors get pressed by the brake pad to help slow your vehicle down, and if the rotors are out of balance, this could be causing the vibrating tremors that you feel in the pedal and steering wheel.
If your brakes are new and still squeaking, the fix may be as simple as greasing the contact points. This requires removing the brake pads from the calipers, then applying brake grease to all the contact points. These locations include the backside of the brake pad and any contact points on the caliper carrier.
Relevant Questions and Answers :
the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue
Car making popping noise when braking.
ANSWER : After seeing the video, you will need to have the lower ball joints and bushings checked to see if one or all need to be replaced. You should also have the exhaust checked to see why the engine is so loud. A professional mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, will be able to thoroughly conduct tests to diagnose your vehicle’s popping noise and make the appropriate repairs.
Read Full Q/A … : My brakes make lots of noise and they vibrate
when i turn it make little noise. when press on brake and put on reverse it’s makes weird noise and shakes. thank you
ANSWER : It sounds like you may be dealing with a few issues. I would start by asking if there is a check engine light on? If there is, then getting the engine control module scanned for faults would be the first step to diagnosing the low power issue. As far as the noise over bumps and when turning, there could be a damaged CV joint or axle shaft, or there could be a loose suspension or steering component. Weak motor mounts could cause a weird noise and shake when going into reverse with your foot on the brake, so it’s possible those have failed as well. I would suggest having a qualified mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, diagnose the noise over bumps and the noise when put in reverse.
Read Full Q/A … : My brakes make lots of noise and they vibrate
severe steering wheel vibration at speeds above 60 mph, but not below 60, and severe vibration during braking.
ANSWER : If you can wiggle the tire side to side then you either have a problem with inner or outer tie rod ends. You may have both of them that are bad. This will allow the side-to-side movement, but brake rotors that are warped is the fault that may be responsible for the wobbling. You should have the tie rod inner and outer joints checked and replaced. Also check the rack and pinion bushings to make sure they are properly in place. If you need help with any of this, a certified mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic can come to your car’s location to inspect your vehicle’s vibration issue.
Read Full Q/A … : My brakes make lots of noise and they vibrate
My brakes make lots of noise and they vibrate
ANSWER : There are several high quality aftermarket brake parts available. Some noteworthy manufacturers are EBC, Wagner, Bendix and Bosch, to mention a few. The symptoms that you describe have multiple possibilities of causes that are good for you to be aware of. Squeals are always caused by micro vibrations of components while braking. Quality of materials, hardware, and anti-squeal compounds and insulators play a part in preventing this. Wobbling and vibrating can be caused by warped or uneven brake rotor surfaces. Although, loose steering components can also contribute to these symptoms. In regards to frequent brake replacement and short life of components, your driving conditions will also play a part, such as, frequent stop and go driving, city vs. traffic, steep uphill and downhill driving where one applies brakes for long periods of time (as when coasting down steep hills), driving with two feet, and conscientiously resting one foot on the brake pedal.
To sum up your question, the answer is yes, you can go with quality aftermarket parts. Many independent shops and services, such as YourMechanic, provide quality parts when performing brake repairs.
Read Full Q/A … : My brakes make lots of noise and they vibrate
Low brake pedal and anti-lock brakes are not kicking in.
ANSWER : The brake pedal is working to stop the vehicle, but there may be air in the controller unit causing the ABS brakes to not function. I recommend bleeding the brake system from the farthest location from the master cylinder to the master cylinder including the ABS unit. If the brakes are still spongy after a full bleed, then the controller will need to be replaced. If you need further assistance with your brake pedal being spongy, then seek out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you.
Read Full Q/A … : My brakes make lots of noise and they vibrate
Car vibrating & making alot of noise while driving. 1996 Toyota Corolla
ANSWER : Hi there – I think you have unrepaired damaged still. The vibration you feel through the steering wheel is an out-of-balance tire, bent wheel, or tire that is separating. It is also possible the vibration/noise is coming from the passenger-side axle/CV joint which was not replaced. The noise could be the passenger-side wheel bearing assembly, or possibly worn bearings in the final drive in the transmission. I would recommend a thorough inspection of the front suspension and drivetrain](https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/car-is-shaking-or-vibrating-inspection) by a mobile, professional mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, who will come to your location, diagnose this problem, give you an accurate assessment of damage and cost estimate for repairs.
Read Full Q/A … : My brakes make lots of noise and they vibrate
EPC light on 2004 Jetta. Code said brake switch faulty, but brakes lights worked. Replaced brake switch, now no brake lights.
ANSWER : Hi there. The first thing that pops in my mind beyond of what you have listed is perhaps the electrical harness attached to the brake switch. Perhaps the harness itself is damaged or you have an exposed wire, loose ground wire somewhere. You might want to have a professional mobile mechanic come to your location and complete a brake lights not working inspection to help you diagnose this issue.
Read Full Q/A … : My brakes make lots of noise and they vibrate
When I put my foot on the brake my back left brake light goes off, when I take it off the brake the brake light comes on
ANSWER : I would suggest trying to disconnect and reconnect the wiring to the rear lights. I have seen these older Toyota vehicles rear lighting short out on the lights themselves due to the way the light circuit was made on the lamp housing. Look at the housing circuit on the light to see if one is touching another, and that could tell you why it is malfunctioning. There could also be a problem with the brake light switch. If you are not comfortable dealing with wires, I recommend getting in touch with a certified mechanic who can look at your brake light issue for you to see what’s going on.
Read Full Q/A … : My brakes make lots of noise and they vibrate
