Drum brake squeaks: causes and help

Drum brakes are still installed in many small cars today. However, due to the lower braking force, they are usually only used on the rear axle. If you hear a squealing noise from the drum brakes, it is difficult to determine the cause from the outside.

• Brakes squeal more often, especially in the cold season. This is due to moisture that accumulates overnight and causes corrosion. The brakes can then squeal slightly the next morning. The problem is even more severe if the car has not been moved for several days;
• Dirt and lots of brake dust accumulate in the brake drum over many years. This can also lead to squealing  
• If the squealing occurs after the brake linings have been replaced, the linings may not have been fitted correctly to the drum. The problem usually resolves itself after a while. If in doubt, however, you can go back to the workshop and ask for the problem to be rectified.

This helps with squeaking drum brakes

As the squeaking can only rarely be traced back to a single component, there is basically only one general solution: the drum brake must be opened, cleaned and greased

• If you don’t have any experience with screws yourself, you should have this work done in a workshop. After all, safety is the top priority for the brake system.
• The workshop will dismantle the drum, clean the individual parts and lubricate the moving elements with a suitable agent – for example with so-called copper paste. However, if there is severe corrosion or wear, parts must also be replaced;
• If you are an experienced mechanic, you can also clean and lubricate the drum brake yourself. To remove the dirt, use a wire brush. The copper paste can be purchased online.