You're three stops into your morning run and every time you brake, there's a squeak. Or maybe it's a constant squeal that gets louder as you accelerate. Or a grinding noise when you turn left. Whatever the sound, something's not right — and as a delivery driver doing 100+ stops a day with constant braking, turning, and stop-start driving, wheel noises need your attention immediately. Ignoring them doesn't make them go away. It makes them expensive.
What the Sound Might Mean
Squeak when braking = brake pads. This is the most common cause and the most important. Brake pads have a built-in wear indicator — a small metal tab that contacts the disc when the pad is nearly worn out. The squeak is by design: it's the brakes literally screaming at you to replace them. If you hear this, you've got a small window before the pads wear completely through and you're grinding metal on metal. That turns a $200 pad replacement into a $600+ disc and pad replacement. According to RACQ vehicle maintenance guide, regular brake inspections should be part of your vehicle maintenance schedule.
Grinding when braking = pads gone. If the squeak has progressed to a grinding or scraping sound, the pad material is gone and the backing plate is cutting into the brake disc. This is dangerous — your braking distance is significantly increased and the disc is being destroyed. Stop driving and get the van to a mechanic immediately.
Humming or droning = wheel bearing. A constant hum that gets louder with speed and changes tone when you turn is usually a wheel bearing. Bearings support the wheel and allow it to spin freely. When they wear, they create friction and heat. Left untreated, a failed wheel bearing can cause the wheel to lock up or, in extreme cases, separate from the vehicle.
Clicking when turning = CV joint. A rhythmic clicking or popping sound when turning (especially at low speed) usually indicates a worn CV (constant velocity) joint. These are common on front-wheel-drive delivery vans. The rubber boot that protects the joint cracks, grease leaks out, dirt gets in, and the joint wears. Caught early, it's a boot replacement. Caught late, it's a full CV shaft replacement.
Squeal in the morning only = moisture. A light squeal on your first few stops that disappears after the brakes warm up is often just surface moisture or light rust on the discs from overnight dew. This is normal and not a concern — it should stop within a few brake applications.
What to Do
Report it. If you're in a company van, report any new noise to your fleet manager before your next shift. Describe the sound, when it happens (braking, turning, constant), and which side of the van it seems to come from.
Don't ignore grinding. A squeak is a warning. A grind is an emergency. If your brakes are grinding, pull over safely and call your supervisor. Continuing to drive is a safety risk to you and every pedestrian, cyclist, and driver around you.
Owner-drivers: Budget for brake pads as a regular consumable, not an emergency repair. Delivery driving wears pads 2–3 times faster than normal driving due to constant stop-start. Expect to replace pads every 20,000–30,000 km depending on your run. Front pads wear faster than rears.