Woman Says This Trick Will Stop Brakes from Squeaking. Why Are Mechanics Warning Against Doing it?

A woman says she has a trick that will stop brakes from squeaking. However, mechanics strenuously advise against doing it. Who’s right?

Squeaking brakes are never a pleasant sound to hear. When brakes squeak, maintenance is required, as this sound will not just magically go away. Addressing this issue promptly is the best course of action—driving with weak brakes is dangerous.

Shaz Autos (@shazautosltd) TikTok reaction post to the woman’s trick to stop squeaky brakes has 1.8 million views and over 1,600 comments. Many of the people in the comments are also warning against using this supposed DIY hack for fixing squeaky brakes.

What Did the Woman Do To Stop Squeaking Brakes?

In the TikTok, a mechanic reveals the trick she says fixes squeaky brakes.

“If you ever want your brakes to stop squeaking, just put some bearing grease on the rotors,” she says.

The woman is seen applying a generous amount of bearing grease onto the rotors while wearing safety glasses upside down.

The post then transitions to a stitch by a mechanic from Shaz Autos, who shakes his head in disapproval. He makes a facepalm gesture while Curb Your Enthusiasm’s theme song plays in the background. 

In the caption, Shaz Autos warns against putting bearing grease on your rotors and plugs its business.

“Don’t be like know it all Karen. Come to Shaz Autos for your squeak free brakes,” the shop writes.

What Is Bearing Grease?

Bearing grease is applied to wheel bearings which connect a car’s wheels to the axles, Kelley Blue Book reports. These wheel bearings reduce friction and allow the wheel to turn smoothly. Additionally, these wheel bearings aid in supporting the vehicle's entire weight. 

Bearing grease is applied to wheel bearings for lubrication and prevents corrosion, GMB shares. When a car sits for extended periods of time, the wheel bearings can accumulate rust and condensation, O'Reilly Auto Parts reports. Wheel bearing grease is applied to ensure the wheel runs smoothly without friction.

According to GMB, wheel bearing grease should only be applied to the following areas:

• The wheel end’s inside surfaces or where the bearing lays,
• The housing, or
• The cavity surrounding the bearing.

Gallery: Yenko/SC Corvette C8

Why Are Mechanics Warning Against Doing This?

While commenters agree this suggestion to use bearing grease would stop brakes from squeaking, they also agree that you should not do this under any circumstances. 

“To be fair they will stop squeaking and in fact that’s the only thing they’ll stop,” one person wrote jokingly. 

“The squeaking will not stop, nor will the car,” another replied. 

“They will stop squeaking for the rest of the car's life,” a third quipped. 

“That's the same as just taking your brakes off,” another opined. 

“Or replace your brake pads,” someone suggested helpfully. 

As the commenters mentioned, adding bearing grease to rotors will only cause more damage. Rotors are responsible for creating the friction that slows down and stops the vehicle, All Rotors reports. When a driver presses the brake pedal, the brake pads clamp onto the rotors. The friction is what gets the car to stop.

If these rotors are greased up, the connection is compromised. Applying bearing grease to worn down rotors is the equivalent of putting a bandaid over a stab wound. It’s not actually going to fix the real issue.

Any vibration, squeaking, squealing, or grinding when you use the brakes is a sign your rotors have gone bad, according to Wagner Brake. 

When rotors are worn down, it’s best to schedule an appointment with a mechanic promptly. 

“Ignoring bad rotors can lead to compromised safety, reduced braking performance, and costly repairs down the road,” per All Rotors.

Was This Advice Even Real?

Many of the commenters noticed the woman in the video to be car influencer Emelia Hartford.

Emelia Hartford starred in the Gran Turismo movie and has a Youtube channel dedicated to car content. She also builds custom cars, including a Corvette C8 that's one of the fastest cars on the planet, and is a racecar driver. Put simply, she's well versed in automotives.

“That’s Emelia Hartford rage baiting y’all lmao,” one commenter wrote.

“Yup, that woman is smart,” another agreed.

“Bro it's a joke; she is a car influencer,” a third confirmed. 

“You guys clearly don’t know that this video is a joke. That’s Emelia Hartford lol. She knows more about cars than most of us do lol,” said a fourth.

Given that Hartford is a mechanic, racecar driver, and content creator, the post appears to be in fact be rage bait. Considering the reaction post got over 1.8 million views, if so, the bait was taken.

Motor1 has contacted Shaz Autos via email and direct messaged Emelia Hartford through Instagram. This story will be updated if either of them reply.