Car Making Creaking Noise When Driving Slow: How To Fix?

It’s annoying every time you hear the creaking sound from your car. This doesn’t just worry you as a driver; your passengers may also start to worry. In this article, learn what happens when your car making creaking noise when driving slow.

There are various possible reasons why you may hear noise in your car while driving slowly. One of the most common causes is worn brake pads. Ignoring this issue means you and your passengers are at risk. Keep reading to learn more about what causes your car to creak and how you can deal with them!

Why Does Car Making Creaking Noise When Driving Slow?

Perhaps you’re trying to figure out why your car starts making sounds while you’re driving it slowly, there can be many reasons behind it. Here are the possible causes of this problem and how you can fix each cause.

Poor wheel bearings

An important part of the wheel assembly

Before checking other car parts or doing anything, you need to check its wheel bearings first. Your car’s bearing is an important part of the wheel assembly because it allows your wheels to operate freely without entrapment and damage.

The absence of grease creates friction

A bearing is a set of steel or tapered balls that a metal ring holds. On each wheel, you can find an inner and outer bearing. Bearings are likely the main cause of your car’s wheels squeaking when rolling.

To survive the harsh conditions of driving, it needs lubrication. Grease is an essential part of your bearings and you can find a decent amount inside your bearings. Your car will start to squeak while you’re driving if there’s no oil in the bearing as it will cause friction and possibly damage the bearing.

To check if the bearings are indeed the cause of the squeaking, follow the steps below:

• Listen carefully to the bearing to see if it is making noise.
• Have someone near you or someone you know to drive your car at low speed so you can listen to the sound your bearings make. From there, you should be able to discern if your bearings have a problem.
• Instead, you can jack your car into the air. Check that the wheels move when you apply force from each side of the wheel. If they move, then the bearing has a problem.

Replace as soon as possible

Do not use your vehicle when it has poor bearings as it is very dangerous for you and the people sitting with you in the car. So make sure you replace them as soon as possible. Bearings are not too expensive as you can find a set of them for around $100 or less.

Worn or warped propeller

There is also a high chance that a faulty brake rotor will cause your car to creak while driving. The condition and life of your brake rotor significantly affect its performance.

Signs of impeller wear or warping

You can identify a great brake rotor based on its smooth and fine surface. When fine lines start to appear on the rotor, it means the rotor is starting to wear out and you need to replace them. You might think you can fix warped rotors by replacing the gasket, but doing so won’t make much of a difference.

Brake problems

In addition to noise, a worn propeller can also cause brake problems. Specifically, this is because there is no gasket covering the rotor. So if you see the outer edge of the rotor with lines on it, this is a sign that it needs to be replaced immediately.

Warped propellers are also one of the problems in addition to worn propellers. Car owners will encounter many problems, such as the squeaking noise the car makes while driving due to warped propeller blades. Change your propeller immediately if you have this problem.

Causes

Constantly driving through water or stepping on the brakes too hard are some of the main causes of your propeller warping. Your car generates tremendous heat when you hit it hard. Then when you drive into a puddle and the propeller gets splashed with water, you get a warped propeller. You may not see it, but that cold water will cause your propeller to warp. A hot metal splashed with cold water will not give good results.

Replace the propellers

To fix this problem you have to replace the rotors and you can get new OEM rotors for around $200 to $500.

Bad caliper

When you are driving slowly and your car starts to squeak, a bad caliper could be one of the causes. There is a high probability that with the help of the master cylinder its brake calipers will be able to work.

Rework the caliper yourself or visit an experienced mechanic

Rebuilding the caliper is one of two ways to solve this problem. You can try to rebuild it yourself or find an experienced mechanic. You can also buy rebuild kits as there are many kits available in the market. Or you can opt-in to get a brand-new caliper. Since the factory will be the place that will do everything, you’d better consider the second option. Plus, new calipers will last longer than reworked kits.

Which option you choose is entirely up to you as long as you can replace or rebuild the caliper. Your safety and comfort should always come first. With the new brake system, you will feel secure and safe while driving.

Bad brake pads

Brake pads are also one of the common reasons why your car starts squeaking when driving slowly. Wear and tear, it can cause your vehicle to malfunction.

These pads play a huge role in the braking of your vehicle. Depending on the parts of the brake pads, they can produce a unique sound. Note that quality pads are silent and do not make any noise.

Poor quality pads make braking distance worse

You’ll easily determine that your car has a problem when it starts to squeak when you slow down, even if you’ve just changed its gasket. Poor-quality brake pads will make your braking distance worse. In turn, this can get you into an accident.

Sheet metal rubbing against each other

Worn brake pads cause the brake disc to rub against the rotor, creating a squeaky sound. Since metal rubs against another metal, this can be very dangerous. You must also replace the propellers if this is the case.

Replacement price

There’s a good chance you’ll end up paying more than $600 on both sides – quite expensive. It is best to change the gasket regularly to avoid this situation.

My memory is not so good sometimes resulting in me always forgetting to change my pads. I learned my lesson when these bad gaskets damaged my propellers and I had to replace a few sets of them. So if you see that there is no material on the gasket, that is an indication that you should replace your gasket.

Change pads often

Since changing brake pads regularly will help your car brake better and prevent any problems when stopping, you can ensure safe driving. And on the other hand, you won’t hear squeaks when driving slowly.

Loose engine belt

Loose engine belts are one of the possible causes of your car creaking when slowing down. This issue is created when you start the car and accelerate immediately or drive below 20 mph.

In addition, after many miles of travel, the crankshaft pulley can cause the belt to start creaking as it will begin to wobble and lose its ability to rotate. Make sure that the chain will no longer creak after you replace the pulley and belt with a new one.

Timing chain

Timing chains are one of the possible causes of the noise you hear when driving slowly. When the chain jumps out of place, there is a chance the valve is bent. Curved valves will make the engine unrepairable as they will damage your engine. Sometimes it is better to buy a used engine in good condition because the repair will be too much for a budget.

How to fix

Replacing the timing chain may cost you about $1,000. This cost includes labor costs. A lot of chain truck owners see this as a big problem.

Timing chains don’t break easily compared to timing belts and that’s a good thing when driving one. That doesn’t happen on every engine, even if the chain can jump because the motor has built-in protection to prevent that from happening.

It is best to list this problem even if it sounds more like a rattle than a hiss as it will confuse others. So it’s best to be certain. When driving slowly, these sounds with the leash can also occur.

Tensioner pulley

Apply pressure on the belt

One component you also need to consider is the tensioner pulley. Tension pulleys put pressure on the belt and they are smaller. There is a high chance that you will have no power left in your system and it will jump if no pressure is applied. That is why the pressure on the belt is considered important.

Cost to replace

The ratchet can cause these pulleys to tighten. However, you need to replace them if that’s the worst-case scenario. It’s inexpensive, and you can buy one for under $30—however, the labor costs about $100.

It’s a guarantee that your car will function properly and you won’t be without your accessories as long as you keep working on your car. Air conditioners, water pumps, and alternators are the things the belts are driving. All the essential parts your car needs to keep working properly.

Conclusion

The most common cause of your car making creaking noise when driving slow is worn brake pads. Don’t wait until they wear out or don’t use them for a long time. You must replace them immediately when they start to wear out.

Besides knowing how to drive, make sure you know the function of the parts of your car. Paying attention to sounds and learning to trace the source is a must for drivers like you. You can fix problems yourself immediately if you know what causes them. But it doesn’t hurt to consult a skilled technician if you want to ensure that your vehicle is repaired immediately and appropriately.