There could be a few reasons your car makes an odd clicking noise when you press the brake pedal. We’ll talk about the potential causes of the sound and solutions in this blog post.
Your brakes may be clicking because of a stone lodged in the braking system, worn-out or missing brake pads, a deformed rotor, or an anti-rattle spring that is no longer effective. A worn-out wheel bearing is another, less likely, the potential reason your brakes click when you apply the brakes while turning.
Ineffective Breaking System Due to Stone
A stone stuck in the braking system, which prevents the pressure from being transmitted uniformly across all four wheels, is the most frequent reason the brakes click when applied. The clicking sound that results from using the brakes is caused by this instability.
You must search for any stones that are visible that may have become stuck in any component of the brake system before you can resolve this problem. If one is discovered, rapidly remove it with a pair of pliers. If no stones are visible, you might need to disassemble the brake calipers and check inside of them for rocks.
Before reassembling the brake system, once any stones have been removed, it is crucial to check all of the parts for wear and damage brought on by their presence and to ensure that everything is still functional.
This entails inspecting the rotors for heat spots and uneven wear, making sure all screws and bolts are tightly fastened, looking at the brake pads for unusual wear patterns, and making sure all seals are still intact.
Worn Brake Pads
Any car can have a significant safety risk due to worn-out brake pads. When you apply pressure to the brakes, worn brake pads could result in a clicking sound. This is because when the places are too thin to offer sufficient cushioning, the metal of the rotor and caliper becomes exposed and begins grinding against one another. This may occasionally result in metal-on-metal contact, which can result in excessive wear, damage, and noise.
It’s crucial to look for wear on the brake pads when diagnosing a clicking noise caused by worn-out brakes. The residence is probably worn out and needs to be replaced if there is less than one-eighth of an inch (about 3 millimeters) on either side. Additionally, keep an eye out for any rotor rust or discoloration that can point to overheating or excessive use brought on by inadequate brake pad cushioning.
The good news is that it’s not always necessary to perform significant repairs or expensive part replacements to stop a clicking noise brought on by worn-out brake pads. The most typical remedy is to buy new brake pads made specifically for the make and model of your car and replace the old ones. The replacement brake pads you choose for your automobile should be explicitly created because they will be evaluated and tested for your demands and driving style.
Loose Brake Calipers
An important part of any vehicle’s braking system is the brake calipers. When you press the brake pedal, they are supposed to force the brake pads onto the rotor, causing friction with the braking rotor to slow down your car. However, these calipers can make a clicking noise when they become slack.
Your brakes may click as a result of loose brake calipers if either of two things has happened: either the bolts holding the caliper bracket together have come loose, or the slide pins connecting the caliper to the frame have jammed. If one of these two problems is the cause of the clicking sound coming from your brakes, there are easy fixes you may do.
Looking at all four wheels and ensuring that all four calipers are firmly linked to their respective brackets by checking for loose bolts or nuts is the first step in determining why your brakes are generating a clicking sound. If they are indeed loose, use a suitable wrench or socket set, some thread lock fluid, and tighten them to prevent them from coming undone again.
Your slide pins may have become stuck due to rust or other pollutants that have built up on them over time if tightening the bolts does not fix the problem. The four slide pins must be freed using a wire brush or emery cloth and a small hammer or mallet. Then they must be reattached into place with new anti-seize lubricant applied liberally for additional protection against corrosion in the future. This problem can be fixed by spraying brake cleaner on all four slide pins and around their mounting points.
Warped Brake Rotors
A frequent problem is warped brake rotors, which develop due to an excessive buildup of heat in the braking system. Heat accumulates from protracted braking or repeated hard stops. The rotor warps due to the heat, creating an uneven surface. Due to its misalignment with the brake pads, this uneven surface can generate vibrations when you apply the brakes, as well as perhaps make a clicking sound. Since this problem will only worsen with time, it’s critical to address it right once to prevent future harm.
Burnishing the Brake Rotors
Depending on the severity of your situation, there are some methods you can do to fix warped brake rotors. The quickest cure is “burnishing,” but it is unreliable. Burnishing is frequently used to “break in” new, replaced rotors, but it can also be used when your current rotors are slightly bent.
You should apply moderate to mild brake pedal pressure while slowing down from 40 mph to 20 mph in increments of 30 or so. As quick stops could further harm your hot brake rotors, ensure you perform this maneuver on a clear route without any traffic.
The rotors will heat up and settle into an even surface due to the burnishing process. Still, this approach is not particularly reliable because it might not solve the underlying issue of an excessive buildup of heat in your braking system.
Replacing the Rotors
Replacing warped brake rotors is a more dependable solution. Use a high-quality rotor that can better withstand heat while replacing the rotors to avoid further warping. Replace the brake pads and inspect any other braking system parts for potential damage. As long as you are careful not to overheat the brake rotors again with excessive braking power, this will permanently cure warped brake rotors.
Make careful to follow all instructions precisely if you attempt any repairs because failure could lead to much more expensive damages that demand expert treatment rather than simple home maintenance, costing you more money than is necessary for the long run.
Worn Out Anti-Rattle Spring
An anti-rattle spring placed beneath the brake pads that are worn out or rusted may be the source of the clicking noise. This spring’s job is to distribute pressure uniformly and absorb any excessive movement in the brake pad so that during braking, all components engage simultaneously.
When this spring rusts or wears, it cannot effectively absorb the braking energy and cannot evenly distribute pressure across the brake pad. This results in gaps between the brake pad and rotor, which causes inconsistent braking activity and a clicking sound while applying the brakes. If ignored, this noise might cause additional expensive repairs in the future and be grating and annoying.
Fortunately, most persons with a rudimentary understanding of automotive maintenance can easily replace a worn-out or rusted anti-rattle spring. Here is a video that demonstrates how to accomplish that.
Loose Wheel Bearings
One of the most frequent indications of a loose wheel bearing, which can cause various bothersome issues, is a clicking sound when you apply the brakes or make a turn. If the wheel bearing is not installed correctly, it will move and generate noise as it supports the wheel and its parts.
The most frequent reason for a loose wheel bearing is improper installation or maintenance. This could indicate that during assembly, the directions weren’t adequately tightened or oiled or that they weren’t sufficiently inspected to ensure their continued good condition. In rare instances, extensive use or aging may have caused the wheel bearing to wear out.
Check for any visible wear or damage indications, such as cracks or excessive use in the wheel hub assembly, before attempting to determine whether your brakes are clicking due to a loose wheel bearing. The suspension linkages and ball joints, among other associated parts, should be checked for any wear or slackness. If everything checks up, you should take your car for a test drive on a smooth road and make a turn while lightly using the brakes; if there is an audible clicking sound, your brakes are probably being impacted by a loose wheel bearing.
You will need to change your worn-out wheel bearings with new ones to resolve this problem. Use high-quality bearings that have been pre-lubricated with grease before installation when replacing them to ensure they won’t need any more lubrication after installation.
To prevent overtightening and further damage, all fasteners should be tightened firmly using either hand tools or an impact wrench set at low torque settings. Once the part has been installed correctly, you should give your car another test drive to ensure that the clicking noise has disappeared; if not, another problem could be the source, necessitating further inspection.
Conclusion
There are various components in your car’s braking system that can make a clicking noise when you press the brake pedal. It’s critical to determine the underlying source of this problem so that you can take necessary action and stop long-term damage from happening.
Before attempting any repairs, inspect all worn parts like brake pads, rotors, calipers, and wheel bearings for wear and tear. If anything appears beyond repair or is too difficult to handle at home, take it to a qualified mechanic right away so they can identify and address any underlying problems right away.
