Why Are My Brakes Grinding?

One of the most common questions our service technicians get is, “Why are my brakes grinding and how can I make it stop?” Any time your brakes are making noise, the situation should be addressed by a professional. Your car’s brake system is its most important safety feature. The National Highway Safety Administration estimates that 25% of all road accidents can be attributed to poor brakes. Learn more about the common causes of grinding brakes in our overview below! 

Brakes Grinding When Stopping

If your car’s brakes are at their noisiest when you’re stopping, one or more of the following problems could be at play: 

• Brake Pads: Over time, brake pads wear down. When they get too thin, you’ll start hearing a grinding sound, which is commonly referred to as “brake scrubbing.”
• Brake Disc & Calipers: A sharper noise can be attributed to a faulty brake disc and calipers. Your pedal may also rumble. 
• Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS): When it’s in bad shape, the ABS will emit a loud grinding sound when you apply the brakes at full force, and your brake pedal may also vibrate. 

Brakes Making Grinding Noise When Driving

Do you hear a grinding noise while you’re on the road? There’s a good chance that pebbles or debris has gotten wedged in the brake system and is bouncing off of the caliper and rotor. Our service team can remove whatever’s trapped in the brake system quickly and easily. Don’t wait, though! Your brake system could be damaged if you don’t have the debris removed, leading to an even more expensive fix.

Schedule Brake Service or Repair at Auto Express Today! 

Now that you have the answer to the question, “Why are my brakes grinding,” you can hopefully make an educated guess as to what’s wrong with your car. Bring it to our service center, and we’ll handle the hard work for you! Schedule a service appointment online and choose a date and time that work for you. In the meantime, review our service tips hub to learn more about car maintenance, including how to clean a car windshield inside or how to jump-start a car.