Summary
The last thing you want to hear while applying the brake is a grinding noise. Compared to the usual squeaking that happens when the pads are worn, this is frequently more alarming.
The possible reasons for your car’s brake to make a grinding noise can be worn brake pads, warped rotors, or an obstruction in the calipers. Broken brake pad shims, poor brake pads, and driving inactivity are other potential causes.
You will be able to stop the grinding after you have a correct diagnosis. Your brakes may be grinding for a variety of reasons, but regardless of the cause, it’s crucial to address the problem right away to prevent more damage to your car and dangerous occurrences.
Now, let’s go deep to explain the reasons why your brake is making a grinding noise!
Contents
Brake Pads have Worn Out
The most common cause of your brakes grinding is a worn brake pad. Graphite, steel, copper, and brass are frequently used in the production of brake pads.
The metal backing will become visible as the brake pad degrades and becomes thinner. When this occurs, a loud grinding noise will be heard as the metal backing plate underneath the brake pads rubs on the brake rotor.
Your brake pads will frequently make a squealing sound, though, before they begin to grind.
It’s time to change the brake pads if you hear this screeching noise, which is known as brake scrubbing. If not changed, the screeching will eventually turn into grinding.
Although brake pads typically last between 25,000 and 60,000 miles, the padding will eventually wear out if you don’t replace them.
Read more: Everything you need to know about brake pad thickness
Warped or worn brake Rotor
The shiny disks that your brake calipers squeeze on to slow down your car are called your brake rotors.
Due to its closeness to the ground, dirt and water can enter, causing rotors to rust or get warped. Uneven brake rotor disks can cause squeaking, whereas a worn-out rotor disk frequently makes a scraping sound.
A warped rotor will also be noticeable through the steering wheel. When you brake and you notice a lot of vibrations, which you can easily feel through the brake pedal and steering wheel, you’ll then know that you have a worn-out rotor.
Read more: Brake rotor replacement cost
The brake system needs lubrication.
Your braking system is very complex and has numerous moving parts; with time, these brake parts will require relubrication. If not, it can cause the brakes on your car to grind.
The culprits are usually the caliper bolts. Their responsibility is to guarantee that the brake caliper is securely fastened. However, they could begin to rust, which is what causes the grinding noise.
Caliper bolts are inexpensive to replace, with the parts likely to cost only $10 to $20 plus a certain labor cost. You can enhance their lifespan by lubricating them once a month.
You Haven’t Driven Your Car In A While
Any strange brake noise may be caused by rust if your car has been sitting for several months.
However, letting a car idle for too long does have other effects apart from corrosion. Tires might develop flat spots, brake fluid can collect and become stale, etc.
Driving your car around once a month can help you prevent this. A short drive around the block will do; it doesn’t need to be far.
Additionally, you can take action to stop rust from forming in your braking system. You can do this, for instance, by parking on top of a tarp or using a vehicle cover.
A Faulty Wheel Bearing
Your wheels may spin continually without getting too hot, thanks to the wheel bearings.
When one or more of these bearings start to wear out or if debris gets inside, you might hear a grinding noise.
There are a few symptoms to watch out for if you think your wheel bearing is failing. You can experience vibrations that increase before dropping again.
Uneven tire wear is another sign of a damaged wheel bearing.
Fortunately, wheel bearing issues are quite uncommon because they normally last between 75,000 and 100,000 miles. Although you should expect to pay roughly $700 if you need a replacement,.
Low-quality Brake Pads
Purchasing inexpensive brake pads typically means they are of lower quality. Although they might offer short-term cost savings, they often lead to more frequent maintenance or more wear and tear on other braking parts.
Additionally, the amount of metal in cheap brake pads is typically higher, which increases their propensity to produce grinding and scratching noises when braking.
You can keep yourself safe on the roadways by purchasing high-quality brake pads. High quality brake pads can reduce braking distance while providing a smoother braking experience because they are made of superior quality material.
Read more: Reasons why your steering wheel shakes when braking (how to fix the problem)
There’s something stuck In the brake Caliper
Even while not applying the brakes, you can have anything stuck in your brake caliper if you frequently hear screeching or grinding.
It could be any small object, such as a stone or piece of gravel. The brake disc can sustain serious damage if a foreign object is left in the brake system.
By repeatedly moving your car slowly back and forth in a safe place, you can solve the problem on your own. Your best choice, though, would be to get a qualified mechanic to take a look as soon as possible if this doesn’t work.
Reasons why your brake make grinding noise when you apply brakes
Your brake pads thickness is probably off if you hear grinding noise when you slow down.
The brake pad thickness must be sufficient to provide optimal performance and stopping power. Your brake pads will gradually wear out as you use them over time.
Every time you apply the brake pedal, brake pads that are thinner than the recommended thickness will start to squeal.
Brake scrubbing is unpleasant noise that appears when the brake pads need to be replaced. The brake pads will keep degrading if you ignore this issue, and the squealing sound will eventually turn into grinding.
Reasons why your brake make grinding noise while driving
There may be rocks or debris stuck between the caliper and the rotor if you hear brake grinding at a steady speed.
You’ll want to get the debris out of the system as soon as you can in this situation. The brake pedal and other performance components may suffer significant damage if immediate action is not taken.
Even while you can remove rocks and other debris from your brakes, it’s better to get a professional, especially if you’re not experienced with car maintenance.
A car mechanic should be consulted as soon as you notice any brake grinding noises so they can examine your vehicle.
Reasons why your brake make grinding noise when you stop suddenly
When you suddenly hit the brakes, your brakes may also make a grinding noise in this situation.
The grinding ought to stop when you release the brake pedal or when the car comes to a complete stop. You will hear a grinding sound and feel the brake pedal rumble if you hit the brakes in a panic-stop situation.
If your brake pads are thick enough, though, this shouldn’t be a problem.
When you stop suddenly and you hear grinding, your anti-lock braking (ABS) system is probably to blame. The ABS will automatically turn on in a panic stop situation to avoid wheel lockups and skidding.
The brake pedal rumbles and a grinding noise is produced as a result of the system pumping the brakes to maintain stability and control.
You should schedule a brake repair right away if your brakes keep grinding, since this can be an indication of worn brake pads.
Read more: Squeaking Noise While Driving But Not Brakes Applied (what to do)
Read more: Is it safe to drive a car with the SRS airbag light on?
FAQs
Is it safe to drive a car with grinding brakes?
No, It’s not safe.
Driving with your brake grinding only makes the problem worse and raises the cost of repair. The lack of pad material in your brakes is what’s causing the grinding noise. As a result, the rotors and pads contact metal on metal.
The simplest solution if your car’s brakes start to grind is to call a professional to look into it. As we’ve seen, there are many potential causes. Therefore, before making any repairs, you must identify the precise issue.
How do I stop my brakes from grinding when I brake?
The noise is often only heard when you come to a complete stop, but you can also feel it when you step on the brake pedal. The best course of action in this situation is to have your brake pads replaced right away, but you might also need to have the discs or rotors replaced at this point.
How much does it cost to fix brakes that are grinding?
The majority of the braking in your car, typically 70%, is performed by the front brakes. These brake pads frequently overheat, which can cause them to squeak, groan, or grind. The cost of replacing a front brake pad ranges between $115 and $300 on average, which is close to the cost of replacing a rear brake pad.
How long can I drive on grinding brakes?
If your car’s brakes are grinding, you really shouldn’t continue driving because it’s unsafe and could worsen the issue. Your brakes should be checked as soon as possible by a professional.
That is all for this article, where 7 possible reasons why your brakes are making grinding noise are discussed. I hope you learn a lot from the reading. If you do, kindly share it with others. Thanks for reading. See you around!
