A high-pitched squeaking or squealing noise is one of the most common signs of a possible brake problem.

You may hear it:

• When braking gently
• As the car comes to a stop
• During the first few stops of the day
• After rain or washing the vehicle
• When reversing
• Once the brakes become hot
• Continuously while driving

Possible causes include worn brake pads, brake dust, moisture, glazed friction surfaces, a pad-wear indicator or damaged brake components.

Occasional noise does not automatically mean the pads need replacing. However, persistent or worsening squeaking should be investigated.

Our technicians can inspect the brake pads, measure the remaining friction material and check the condition of the discs, callipers and related components.

If the pads are worn, e-CAR Menlyn can replace them with quality components suited to your vehicle.

Learn more about our brake-pad replacement service.

Grinding or scraping when braking can indicate more serious wear.

One possible cause is brake-pad friction material that has worn away, allowing metal components to contact the brake disc. Continued driving may damage the discs and affect braking performance.

Other possible causes include:

• Severely worn brake pads or shoes
• Worn or damaged brake discs
• A sticking brake calliper
• Damaged or loose brake hardware
• A stone or foreign object near the disc
• Corrosion after the vehicle has stood for a long time

Grinding brakes should be inspected as soon as possible. The longer metal-to-metal contact continues, the greater the chance of additional damage and a more expensive repair.

If braking performance has deteriorated significantly, do not continue driving. Arrange for the vehicle to be transported to the workshop.

Learn more about brake-pad replacement, brake-shoe replacement and brake-disc skimming.

A vehicle that shakes when braking may have a problem affecting its brake discs, pads, suspension, steering or wheels.

The vibration may be felt:

• Through the steering wheel
• Through the brake pedal
• Through the seat or floor
• Across the front of the vehicle
• Through the entire car
• Only when slowing down from higher speeds

Possible causes include uneven brake-disc thickness, excessive disc runout, overheated braking surfaces, worn components or movement in the steering and suspension system.

The location of the vibration can provide a useful clue, but a proper inspection is still required. Replacing brake pads alone will not necessarily solve a vibration caused by damaged discs or worn suspension components.

e-CAR Menlyn can inspect and measure the brake discs to determine whether they are suitable for skimming or need to be replaced.

Learn more about our brake-disc skimming service.

A vibration through the steering wheel is commonly associated with a problem affecting the front brakes, wheels, steering or suspension.

It may become particularly noticeable when braking from higher speeds.

Possible causes include:

• Uneven front brake discs
• Brake-disc runout
• Overheated or damaged discs
• Uneven brake-pad contact
• A sticking front calliper
• Worn steering or suspension components
• Wheel or tyre problems

A steering-wheel vibration should not be diagnosed from the symptom alone. Our technicians will inspect the related components to identify the source before recommending skimming, replacement or another repair.

A pulsing brake pedal may be caused by an uneven braking surface or by the ABS operating.

ABS activation can be normal during hard braking or on a wet or slippery road. You may feel a rapid pulsing through the pedal while the system helps prevent the wheels from locking.

Repeated pedal vibration during ordinary braking is different and should be inspected.

Possible causes include:

• Uneven brake discs
• Damaged braking surfaces
• Brake-pad deposits
• Excessive disc runout
• A brake calliper problem
• An ABS-system fault

If the ABS warning light is also illuminated, e-CAR Menlyn can inspect the braking system and perform diagnostic testing where required.

Learn more about our ABS-system repairs.

If your vehicle changes direction when you apply the brakes, there may be a difference in braking force between the left and right sides.

Possible causes include:

• A sticking brake calliper
• Uneven brake-pad wear
• Contaminated brake pads or discs
• A restricted brake hose
• Damaged brake components
• Uneven tyre pressure
• Worn steering or suspension components
• A wheel-alignment problem

The pulling may be gentle at first or severe enough to make the vehicle difficult to control during an emergency stop.

Because tyres, wheel alignment and suspension faults can produce similar symptoms, e-CAR Menlyn will inspect the relevant systems rather than assuming that one particular brake component is responsible.

A healthy brake pedal should provide a firm and predictable response. A pedal that feels soft, springy or spongy may indicate a problem in the hydraulic braking system.

Possible causes include:

• Air in the brake lines
• Old or contaminated brake fluid
• A brake-fluid leak
• A damaged brake hose
• A master-cylinder problem
• Overheated brake fluid
• Incorrectly adjusted brake components

A spongy pedal should not be accepted as normal simply because the vehicle is older. A hydraulic fault can affect how consistently and quickly the car stops.

Read our detailed guide to a spongy brake pedal, or book your car with e-CAR Menlyn for a hydraulic and brake-fluid inspection.

A brake pedal that travels close to the floor or suddenly loses resistance may indicate a serious braking-system problem.

Possible causes include:

• A significant brake-fluid leak
• Air in the hydraulic system
• A failing master cylinder
• A damaged brake hose or pipe
• Severely worn brake components
• Incorrect rear-brake adjustment
• Another hydraulic-system fault

This symptom requires urgent attention.

If the pedal suddenly goes to the floor or the vehicle does not stop normally, do not drive it to the workshop. Stop somewhere safe and arrange for the vehicle to be transported.

An unusually hard brake pedal can make it difficult to apply sufficient braking force.

Possible causes include:

• A brake-booster problem
• Loss of vacuum assistance
• A damaged or disconnected vacuum hose
• A faulty non-return valve
• A vacuum-pump problem
• Another restriction or fault in the system

The brake pedal naturally becomes harder when the engine is switched off and the available assistance has been used. Once the engine starts, the pedal should normally become easier to press.

If the pedal remains unusually hard while the engine is running, book an inspection promptly.

An increase in stopping distance may develop gradually or appear suddenly.

Possible vehicle-related causes include:

• Worn brake pads or shoes
• Overheated brakes
• Damaged brake discs or drums
• Contaminated braking surfaces
• Old or overheated brake fluid
• A sticking or poorly operating calliper
• A hydraulic-system problem
• Worn or unsuitable tyres

Road conditions, vehicle load and tyre grip also affect stopping distance. However, if your vehicle no longer stops as quickly or confidently as it previously did, have the brakes inspected.

Do not wait for complete brake failure. Early attention may prevent further damage and help keep the vehicle safe and predictable.

Brakes that fail to release properly can make the vehicle feel sluggish or as though something is holding it back.

Warning signs can include:

• The car pulling while driving
• One wheel becoming much hotter than the others
• A burning smell near a wheel
• Brake noise when the pedal is not being pressed
• Excessive brake dust on one wheel
• Increased fuel consumption
• The vehicle struggling to roll freely
• The parking brake not releasing completely
• Smoke coming from a wheel

Possible causes include a sticking calliper, seized calliper slides, restricted brake hose, damaged brake hardware or a parking-brake fault.

A sticking brake can generate severe heat and damage the pads, discs, callipers, wheel bearings and surrounding components.

If a wheel is smoking or extremely hot, stop somewhere safe. Do not touch the wheel or brake components, and do not continue driving.