Brake Noise Diagnosis
Also called brakes making noise
Brake noise has many causes and they are not equally serious. A squeal can be a wear indicator, glazed pads, dust or the wrong pad material. A grind usually means metal on metal and immediate work. A knock over bumps is often a loose pad clip or a suspension part rather than the brakes at all. This is a diagnosis that names the cause and quotes the repair; the repair itself is booked separately.
Signs you need this
- Squeal that appears only when braking gently
- Grinding sound that gets worse as you press harder
- Knocking from a wheel over bumps and when braking
- Noise from the rear only, or only when reversing
- Squeal in the morning that disappears after a few stops
Not all of these have to be present, and one of them on its own can mean something else entirely. That is what the diagnosis is for.
What the job includes
- Road test with you to reproduce the exact noise
- All four wheels removed for inspection
- Pad and shoe thickness and disc or drum surface condition measured
- Caliper slides, clips, shims and hardware checked for movement
- Wheel bearing and suspension check to rule out non-brake noise
- Written findings with a quote for the repair
How we do it
Reproduce the noise
We drive the car with you if possible, noting speed, pedal pressure and whether the noise changes when turning.
Inspect all four corners
Every wheel comes off so pads, discs, drums, clips and hardware can be seen rather than assumed.
Rule out suspension
Bearings, links and bushes are checked, since knocks blamed on brakes often come from worn suspension parts.
Explain the cause
You get a plain description of what is making the noise, how urgent it is, and what the repair costs.
How we work
The same on every job, which is why we can write it down.
Diagnosis before quote
We find the fault first. A price given over the phone for a noise nobody has heard is a guess.
The price is agreed first
You approve the work and the cost before a spanner is picked up. Extra work means another call.
Parts you can check
We tell you whether a part is genuine, OEM, aftermarket or used, and what each one costs.
Old parts returned
Ask and we will hand back whatever we replaced. It is the simplest proof that the job was done.
Book brake noise diagnosis
Fill this in and a person will call you back to confirm the time and the price. Only your name and one way to reach you are required.
You send this
Takes a minute. No payment, no obligation.
We call you
To confirm the car, the time and the location.
Tell us the car and the symptom
We will arrange a mechanic at your location, or a slot at the nearest workshop. No payment until the price is agreed.