When I apply the brakes, they make a squealing noise unless I apply them quite hard...

Question

they make the noise but as I press harder on the break pedal it goes away... but when I got the car tuned recently they didn't find anything... what could cause this?

Answer 1

When you got your car tuned, did they actually say that they checked your brakes?  Some places do actually have 14-point checks and such but either way, you should have it looked at by a mechanic. It could be several things, or it could just be that they wore down after your tune-up.

Answer 2

It could be that your brake pads are worn and the little metal tab is rubing against your rotor telling you they need replaced. It could be some dirt or sand on the pad that is the guilty culprit or, it could also be that you have metal pads as they will sometimes do that annoying squeeling sound. Have someone look at it and see what your problem is.

Answer 3

You should check your brakes for wear. When they tune your car they hardly ever look at the brakes.

Answer 4

Check there is lining on the pads - obvious!

These sqealing noises are often due to there being no lubricant on the shims between the pad and the brake piston.

A LITTLE smear of Copperease or similar on each side of the shim will then solve the problem.

Answer 5

There are anti rattle fittings on most brake systems now days possibly one or more of them may have worked loose or not even be there, although this is very unlikely.

As any mechanic will tell you usually if you have squeaky brakes indicates pad wear or disc, sometimes it can be small particles of stone, or rocks, but either way your brakes should be checked after all they'r all you've got between you and safe stopping, best to get them checked out.

Hope this helps