Brake Pedal Clicks When Pressed: Why?
If you continuously hear the clicking sound coming out of your pedal whenever you apply the brakes, you should know that it may be a warning sign of your brakes failing. The rattling and clicking sounds suggest you have a problem with the braking system.
It would help if you did not ignore this sign as braking is an essential part of the car, allowing you to stop the car whenever you want with ease.
Issues in the car’s braking system can be catastrophic while driving on the road. The problem you hear could be the brake booster or some internal brake caliper problem.
It can also be in your master cylinder or pad problems. The clicking sound is the result of the pad hitting metal against metal. You often hear the clicking sound from the front brakes closer to the engine compartment.
However, the sound might come from the front and rear brakes if you have a four-wheel car. You should consult a mechanic if your car’s braking system needs major repair.
Table of Contents
- Why Are Your Brakes Clicking?
- What Should You Do If Your Brake Pedal Makes Clicking Noises?
- Signs That Your Car’s Brakes Are Failing.
- Should You Replace The Brakes?
Why Are Your Brakes Clicking?
If your brakes make a clicking sound when you press the brake pedal, this could be because of foreign material that has found its way into the brake system.
Foreign objects such as gravel or dirt can jam your brakes and cause them to grind or click. If your brakes make a clicking noise when you lightly touch the brake pedal, it is likely caused by an air bubble in one of the hoses that connect to your caliper.
The clicking noise could also be due to corrosion inside a hose connecting with your caliper.
The best way to find out what’s causing this sound is by having a mechanic inspect it. For example, a clicking sound from the brake pedal could signify impending brake failure.
That being said, there are a few other causes to consider before replacing your brakes.
- Brake Pad Failure
A common cause of this clicking sound is a bad brake pad or disc since these systems rely on friction between one or more brake components to stop them. If one of these components is failing, it may be causing the sound and making the brake squeal too.
- Disc Wear
If disc wear is bad enough, you could have trouble feeling any pressure — like when you’ve lost most of your oil in a car.
- Loose Brake Parts
The most common cause of this clicking sound is a bad brake pad, especially if you feel it simultaneously as the brakes start to squeal.
However, it could also be a disc or rotor, so your brakes can still work fine. It could even be a slightly loose brake pad that can cause clicking noises.
Brand New Brake Caliper Sticking: Causes and Solutions.
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What Should You Do If Your Brake Pedal Makes Clicking Noises?
You may be experiencing a few symptoms of the dreaded brake pedal squeak, which can happen when your brake pads are worn or need replacement. You can do a couple of things if your brake pedal makes clicking noises.
First off, check that the brake pads are mounted correctly; they usually need adjustment before they start squealing. In addition, a little grease in the joints can help them function smoothly.
External factors like water or dust might cause your squeak instead of failing pads. However, simply dabbing a bit of anti-seize lubricant on the brakes should deal with it temporarily. Check for other problems such as worn or defective shoes or incorrect part installation.
If you can’t find anything else wrong, the problem might be a noise that comes from underneath. A worn or damaged cable can also make your brake pedal squeak.
Signs That Your Car’s Brakes Are Failing.
Good brakes are vital to safety. But you may not be aware that the warning signs of brake failure can sometimes be hard to detect because they happen gradually.
So it’s important to know what to look for before braking failure becomes dangerous. The following signs may give you a clue that your car’s brakes need attention.
For example, if you regularly have to press down the brake pedal with more force than usual, the problem may be due to a leak, or the brake fluid may run out or get thicker.
- Uneven Tire Wear
One or more of your tires is wearing unevenly, indicating that the brakes allow one side to hit the road with more force than another. This can lead to a faster wear rate on the tires with less braking force applied to them and possibly even cause them to fail.
- Difficulty Stopping
The pedal feels mushy or soft when pressed down and doesn’t stop as quickly as it should. This may signal that the brake pads are wearing out or the brake fluid is running low. Either scenario could mean the brakes aren’t working correctly.
- Sticking Pedals
The brakes stick when you press them down and do not return to normal once released. This can indicate that your brake pads or calipers need to be replaced.
- Clicking Noises From Pedals
Many drivers will also notice a ‘clicking’ noise when they try pressing their brake pedals. This is caused by normal wear of the brake pads and discs but can lead to costly repairs if left unchecked. The good news is that most of these noises are nothing to worry about.
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Should You Replace The Brakes?
You can hear clicking from the brake pedal when the car is running. Several causes exist for this noise, which can signal that something is wrong with your brakes.
Typically, you’ll hear this noise when your tires spin continuously and suddenly stop.
Still, if a smell accompanies it or it comes on slowly while driving, there may be an issue with your brakes that warrants further inspection.
To avoid potential dangers, listen for any unusual sounds from your car‘s various functions to identify what might be causing them and determine whether they’re worth investigating further. If you’re unsure how to check these out, seek professional help.
For example, in most cases, the noise from your brakes will only sound when you are slowing down and not during regular operation.
However, it can happen even if there is no real brake fluid in the system or if your pedal does not press against the brake pads, so it’s a good idea to have someone look at your car to confirm whether it’s something else before you do any serious repairs.
However, if the problem persists and doesn’t seem linked to operating conditions or vehicle maintenance, it may be better to replace all of your brake components before they fail.
