If you hear a high-pitched squealing sound whenever you press the brake pedal, it's important to inspect your brake rotors for any damage, brake dust buildup, or edges. When brake rotors become worn, they develop an uneven surface and edges on both the interior and exterior surfaces. When you drive normally, but especially when you apply force to your brakes, these edges and surfaces can produce a high-pitched sound.
▪︎ The steering wheel is shaking
When your front brake rotors fail, you will usually feel it in the steering wheel. This could be due to brake rotor rust or if they were unbalanced due to overheating. If you notice that your steering wheel shakes when you stop, it's time to check your front brake rotors.
▪︎ Brake pedal pulsing
If you push the brake pedal and it feels like it is pulsing, it could be due to rust on the brake rotors or uneven surfaces. The front and rear brake rotors can create a pulsating brake pedal while braking; however, if the front brake discs fail, you will most likely feel it in the steering wheel.
▪︎ The vehicle takes a long time to stop
If your brake rotors are worn, they create uneven surfaces which give the brake pads less braking surface on the brake rotor. This can cause your vehicle to take longer to stop.
▪︎ Loud bangs while braking
If you hear loud bangs while braking, this could mean that your brake rotor is cracked. In this case, you should replace it immediately because you could lose the entire brake function and cause accidents.
▪︎ Large edge on the outer part of the brake rotor
If you compare the edge on the brake rotor’s inner or outer part in comparison to a new one and it looks larger than it should, this could mean that your brake rotor is worn down.
▪︎ Scratch/Groove marks on the rotor
If you look behind the rim to see the brake rotor and see a lot of scratch marks on it, it's probably time to replace the brake rotors. All brake rotors develop a few scratch marks soon after installation, but if you see a lot of deep scratch marks, it's time to replace the disc rotors.