Brakes squeak when stopping slowly, especially in the morning

A squeal only on the first stops in the morning or after rain is very often surface rust and moisture on the rotors, which wears off after a few stops. That by itself is common and not a sign that the brakes are failing.

However, a squeal can also come from the wear indicators, small metal tabs that are designed to make noise when the pads get thin. That noise usually happens more consistently, not only in the morning. Glazed pads, missing or dry hardware, and certain pad compounds can also squeal.

Since brakes are a safety item, we recommend having the pad thickness measured at your next visit. If the pads are healthy, cleaning and lubricating the pad contact points often quiets them. If the noise becomes a grinding sound, have the brakes inspected right away.