Why Is My Car Making a Grinding Noise When Braking?
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A grinding noise when you brake usually means metal is meeting metal — the pads have worn right down, or something hard is caught between the pad and the disc. This guide explains what a grinding noise commonly means and which parts it usually involves.
What usually causes a grinding noise
The most common cause is brake pads worn right down to their metal backing. Once the friction material is gone, the backing grinds against the disc, and the disc gets scored. A grinding noise can also come from a stone or grit caught between the pad and the disc, or from a disc that is badly corroded after the car has stood for a while.
A grind is more serious than a squeal. A squeal is a warning that the pads are getting thin; a grind means the pads are already through, and the discs are being damaged with every stop.
What to check by looking and listening
Listen to whether the grind is there every time you brake, or only sometimes. A grind that is there on every stop points at pads worn through. A grind that comes and goes can point at something caught in the brakes. Look at the discs through the wheel if you can see them — deep grooves or a rough, scored surface mean the discs have been damaged.
Do not keep driving on grinding brakes. Brakes are safety-critical, and this guide does not show you how to work on them. If the brakes are grinding, get the car looked at before you drive it further — the discs may need replacing as well as the pads.
Which part is usually involved
A grind most often points at the brake pads, and at the discs they have scored. When both are damaged, a matched pad and disc kit covers one axle in a single set.
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Call or message us
Questions about why is my car making a grinding noise when braking?? Call 07961 404768. Or message us on WhatsApp.
Frequently asked questions
A grinding noise usually means the brake pads have worn right down to their metal backing, and the backing is grinding against the disc. It can also be a stone or grit caught between the pad and the disc. A grind means the discs are being damaged with every stop.
No. Grinding brakes mean the pads are worn through and the discs are being scored, and the car will not stop as it should. Get the car looked at before you drive it further — the discs may need replacing as well as the pads.
Often, yes. Once the pads have worn through, the metal backing scores the discs, and scored discs will wear new pads out faster. Whether both need replacing comes down to the condition of each part — call 07961 404768 and we will point you at the right part.