Any weird noise coming from the inside of the car is something that you need to worry about. And if the noise comes from the brakes, you must prioritize the issue properly.
Why? Well, brakes are a crucial part of the vehicle. Without properly functioning brakes, you risk the safety of yourself and the people around you!
But what should you do when you hear a weird popping noise when braking? Do you need to get your brakes replaced? Not really! Instead, you need to know the root causes behind the issue and get your brakes fixed. And that is exactly what we are here to help you with.
What Does It Mean When You Hear a Single Pop Noise While Braking?
Hearing a single pop noise when you are braking can indeed be concerning. And if you want to address the issue properly, you need to know the source of the noise.
Worn Out Brake Pads
Basically, the single pop noises occur for worn-down brake pads. The brake pads will wear down over time regardless of how good they are. They get worn down mainly due to friction. And when they wear down excessively, they will start to output weird noises. That is when you know that they are gone for good.
You can hear a single pop or squeaking. These noises come out simply because the worn-down pads are rubbing against the rotors. And if you do not take care of this issue, your rotors can also start to wear down.
Solution
Consider checking the brake pads when you hear the single pop sound after hitting the brakes. If they are worn down or show any signs of wearing down, you should get them replaced.
Worn Out Rotor Hardware
When the rotor hardware of the vehicle wears down, it will start to emit a popping noise when you hit the brakes. The reason why the rotors make this sound is that the bolts that are holding the brake disc in place are rattling. Now, why do they rattle? They can simply become too loose due to the rotors wearing down.
Solution
Just like worn-down brakes, you will need to get the rotor hardware replaced if they are worn down. Do not skimp on it. Get a proper replacement, as rotors play a crucial part in terms of the overall braking performance.
Rotor Warp
Another possible reason why you are hearing the popping noise while braking is the rotor warp. It will usually occur when the brake disc becomes warped or bent. And you will have a pulsing feeling when you hit the brakes if the rotors are warped.
Solution
If you feel the pulsing when you hit the brakes, get the brakes checked by a professional. In most cases, they will suggest getting a rotor replacement. But if the issue is not that severe, fixing the brake disc will get rid of the problem.
Loose Brake pads
You can hear a popping sound when braking if the brake pads are loose. They will move around too much and collide with the rotor, which is why you hear the weird noises. Again, you would need to address this issue and fix it as soon as possible.
Solution
When you hear the popping sounds constantly, you should get the brakes checked up. This problem might not require a replacement, especially when the pads do not have any damage or wear issues. All that the repairman will do is fix the pads in place.
Improperly Adjusted Brakes
Proper braking adjustment is not just essential to get better braking performance. But it is crucial to make the brakes function optimally. Improperly adjusted brakes will shake around when you press down the pedal. And this shaking will make the brake pads come in contact with each other, emitting a popping sound.
Solution
As we have mentioned, when your brakes do not have the correct adjustment, they will move around too much when you hit the brake pedal. And the popping sound will be quite persistent throughout the entire time you are holding the brake. In such cases, you need to head to your trusty repair shop to get the brakes adjusted.
Contaminated or Frozen Brake Fluid
Due to rough driving or simply because of age, the brake lines can have a leak. The thing is, they are not leak-proof. When they get old, they start to corrode, crack, or have holes in them. And when water or other substances enter the line, the brake fluid will get contaminated, resulting in the brakes not working properly.
Furthermore, when the brake fluid gets contaminated, it will cause the brake rotor and pads to freeze up.
Solution
When foreign objects do end up on the brake fluid, you will hear a single pop when you engage the brakes. That is when you should give the brake system a check. See if the lines are in good shape or not. If you find any leaks, get the lines replaced and change the brake fluid.
Foreign Objects Lodged in the Brakes
It is pretty common for road debris and pieces of rocks to get caught in different parts of the vehicle. However, if they get lodged in the brake parts, you will start to hear weird noises when pressing the pedal. The noises occur because the foreign object is rubbing against the rotor and brake pads.
That rubbing causes friction, which eventually produces the noise. And it’s not just the rocks. In some cases, nuts, bolts, twigs, and leaves can get stuck with the brake parts and cause these sounds.
Solution
Check the brake system and see if there is anything stuck with them. If so, use a pair of needle tweezers or pliers to get the foreign object out of the system. Also, when a foreign object is stuck with the rotor, you can push it down and move the steering wheel around. That will make the rotor move and eventually unlodge the object.
Brake Caliper Sticking
Last but not least, when the brake caliper is sticking, you will hear a popping sound while braking. The reason why the brakes are emitting this sound is that the caliper is not moving freely. And it is rubbing against the rotor.
Solution
Check the caliper of the brakes. If you notice that the calipers are sticking with the rotor, get the vehicle inspected by a qualified technician. They will be capable of addressing the issue and taking proper steps to make the calipers work properly.
How Often Should You Change the Brake Fluid?
As you know by now, the popping sound can occur due to contaminated brake fluid. That is why it is essential to change the brake fluids after a particular time and carry out proper maintenance of the brake parts. Nonetheless, when it comes to the interval between each brake oil change, refer to your manual.
There should be proper information regarding the brake fluid change interval. However, you would need to get the brake fluid changed after two years or after every 24000 miles. But do remember that it is just a general guideline. Instead of following this interval, consider the information that is in the vehicle manual.
Why Does My Car Door Make Popping Noise When Opening?
Just like the brakes, the car doors can make a popping noise when they have problems. Usually, the typical culprits are loose parts. For example, the door hinges or the weather stripping can be loose. On the other hand, it can be due to the parts rubbing with each other too much.
So, you need to properly inspect the door when you hear popping noises from the car door. Sometimes, the parts will just require some lubrication. That lubrication will lower the friction that might be happening, which will eventually eliminate the popping noise.
Likewise, if you find that there are loose parts, such as the door hinges, you need to get them adjusted. Also, to avoid this issue from happening in the future, carry out proper maintenance of the door.
Final Words
So, when you hear a popping noise when braking, just know that it can occur for several reasons. But the good news is that most of the issues require a simple replacement or a simple fix.
Therefore, instead of operating the vehicle with a damaged braking system, address and fix the issue right away!
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