5-Minute Fix: Squeaky Brakes Without a Full Pad Job

That high-pitched squeal every time you brake usually isn't your pads screaming for a replacement — it's often just glazed rotor dust or a loose wear indicator. Before you drop money on a full pad job, try this.

1. Jack up the wheel and pull it off. 2. Spray brake cleaner on the rotor and pad faces, let it flash off. 3. Check the wear indicator tab — if it's bent and touching the rotor, that's your squeal. Bend it back or trim it if it's near end of life. 4. Wipe caliper slide pins and add a dab of high-temp brake grease so the pad seats flush.

Still squealing after that? Then it's time for pads — and we've got fitment-matched sets in the shop. Ten minutes and a can of brake cleaner can save you a trip.