I have a 2009 Hyundai Accent with about 90,000 miles. I bought it with 30,000 from a dealership that had been using it as their “loaner” car. I have no idea if the brakes were new when I got it, but let’s assume they were.
The brakes have been squeaking since Day 1, especially when first driving. In the first few years of ownership I took the car to several different mechanics, convinced my brakes needed replacing. Was told that no, I had tons of life left on them and the rotors were in good shape. Each time they’d clean the dust off them and I’d be squeak-free for a day or two. After a few years of ownership, when it rained and I’d start driving my brakes would be SO loud and an almost-grinding noise could be heard. Not only that, but sometimes after a rainy night when I first braked, the car would almost lurch when making a stop. I honestly thought I had been lightly rear-ended the first few times it happened. Asked multiple mechanics to check the brakes and was told everything looked fine.
Now, I’ve put nearly 60,000 miles on this car. I still haven’t replaced the brakes because each time I bring it somewhere to do so I get told I don’t need it. I can’t believe that brakes with 60,000 miles on them have any life left, but multiple mechanics say otherwise. The most recent mechanic attributed the lurching to moisture in the ABS. Seriously, what could be going on here?
I’m about to tell my mechanic to replace both my brakes/rotors next week no matter what, but it would be nice to know possible causes to my issue. I drive my toddler around daily and I just don’t trust my brakes. One brake failure will be one too many.
On a side note, this, coupled with low MPH, no power, and a transmission I feel is slowly on a death spiral has soured me on Hyundai’s forever. Would never recommend an Accent, even accounting for the cheap price.
You bought a used car with 30000 and now you have 60000 on it. That sounds like good service , so slamming Hyundai is uncalled for. I also wonder where you are going for mechanical advice.
You might have to stop at a shop that inspects inner and outer pads. My car at 80k brakes are good, took it to a brake specialist, outer pads good, inner pads worn to the bone. No extras as far as calipers etc, 85k later next brake job, pads were fine but rotors toast, at 85k I said do it all.
Are you in an area with lots of rain, snow and salt on the road (rust belt)?
Sounds like the rotors are coroded, which would account for the grinding noise and lurching when it rains.
There should be shims and anti-squeak compound between the pads and calipers.
Perhaps poor quality brake components were installed before you got the car.
A casual visual inspection might have shown that there is plenty of material left on the pads
yet you can still have these problems.
Just cleaning off the dust won’t cut it.
At his mileage it might be worthwhile to start fresh with new high quality pads, shims and rotors.
Brakes that are perfectly fine can make noise; squeaks, squeals, grinds, and so on. This can be caused by rotor and/or brake pad glazing, vibration due to worn sliders or pads in the yokes, residue on the rotor and pad surfaces, etc, etc.
Depending upon how much this irritates you a properly performed brake job would likely stop the noises. There are backyard methods of doing this but in a shop setting there should be no backyarding going on due to liability issues and sheer professionalism.
How long you brakes last will vary based on driving habits, terrain, and so on. My Lincoln still has the original front and rear brake rotors on it at well over 250k miles. It’s gotten one set of front pads and one set of rear pads in all of that time.
Same for my oldest son’s Camaro. Almost 240k miles and still on the original rotors and pads.
One point I’ll add is that of the pads are unevenly worn as described in Barky’s post, you have a sticking caliper. Some shops will try cleaning and lubing the slides, but in my experience that’s usually just a temporary fix. When a caliper is sticking, the only real permanent solution is a new caliper.
Here’s hoping it isn’t the calipers. Here’s hoping it’s just metallic pads that aren’t compatible with the rotors… or installed without the antisqueal grease behind them.
I can’t tell you how many noisy brakes that I’ve replaced over the years. Checking brakes for wear is just one step in the process. They may be serviceable but I’d have them replaced if they are noisy. I’d replace the rotors as well because resurfacing rotors is a thing of the past.
Some brake pads are just noisy. It’s been the bane of disc brakes since the beginning. All I can offer is to try a different brand. I found the OEM brand is typically best, but not always. Wagner OEX brand seems to be working well for me.
Just depends on how often you use the brakes. They can last anywhere from 20K to over 100K in my experience. But I’ve always used anti-squeal compound on the backs of the pads and some have anti-squeal clips on them that may be missing. You may have some very hard or glazed pads also. So if it bothers, just have them replaced with OEM pads.
Its probably just a crappy brake pad on there… Pads can come pretty cheap let me tell you. I always have had excellent results from Auto zones normal 20 brake pads…they are never noisy and last a long time. Pads can come as cheap as $7 a SET…all the way up to the sky’s the limit I guess. Everytime I use a fancy pants pad I have problems. Brake pads can have very serious differences in the pad compound…
MAKE SURE that whomever does the new pads…applies some compound or Anti squeal agent to the BACK of the pads… I use Permatex Ultra Black and have never looked back…silent brakes are a must for me…I do not suffer brake noise…I wont even drive if the brakes squeal it bothers me so much. A new set of pads should fix you up…just be sure to use something on the back of the pads as this is usually the source of any noise.
It seems the OP has no confidence in her car. The noisy brakes, grinding, and jerky stop is due to rust on the brake disks which is normal. A brake job will not be a permanent answer. All the symptoms will return.
Yeah…at worst just buy and install some QUALITY brake rotors…and pads…and off you go. If this Hyundai was ever given the chance to build up rust on the rotors…then the rotors are shot. In fact they weren’t that hardy to begin with. Seems no reason to get rid of the thing if it is still running OK. The only problem is…what will a shop tell them it costs? They could make up a fantastical bill because of how bad the brakes seem to the OP. This entire situation isn’t that big of a deal really, not at all.
I’m inclined to agree with the general consensus here that if the OP has lost confidence in her car because of the emergency stop something should be done. IMHO the best solution is to simply have the rotors and pads replaced. While they’re likely fine, peace of mind has value too.