Why Do My Brakes Sometimes Make This Weird Screeching Sound?
What Acura built into your brake pads is a U shaped piece of metal. It acts like a KISS style reminder that you are nearing the point wherein you need to replace your brake pads. The screeching or squeaking sound you hear is the result of the ends of that U shaped piece of metal coming into contact with the rotating disk.
When the pads are brand new, there is a gap between the rotating disk and that piece of metal. As the pads get worn down, the gap gets smaller and smaller. At first contact, the noise is barely noticeable. With your windows rolled up you won’t even hear it. Pedestrians and people outside might and if you’re lucky, may call your attention to it. As the pads get thinner and thinner, contact between the rotating disk and that piece of metal becomes more pronounced, and that screeching sound you hear becomes more and more audible. There would be just a few millimeters left between of brake padding and the metal plate where the actual pad is attached.
Now, is it still safe to drive? Yes but I would not postpone replacing the brake pads for too long. Nor would I take the vehicle on long drives either. Bear in mind that the louder the screeching sound gets the thinner are your brake pads. If you really must continue to put off replacing the pads, avoid rapid deceleration as well as this wears out the pads faster. Again it is very unadvisable to ignore this sound. It really is a warning to the driver that the brake pads need to be replaced immediately and always replace them with original or Acura approved brake pads. Note that once the brake pad material is totally worn out, the metal plate where the pad material was bonded to will come into direct contact with the rotating disk which at the very least will damage the disk and add to the cost of repairs. Worst case scenario? Don’t wait to find out. Check with the service department at your local Houston Acura Dealer.
