Got Grinding Brakes? Here's How You Fix It - Auto Chimps

If you didn’t already know, “onomatopoeia” is a notion that sounds like its own name when spoken.

Some of these include the words: achoo, bang, boom, buzz, or weep.

What happens when the brakes in your car develop a pronounced onomatopoeia?

Does your vehicle have squealing brakes? Here’s a brief guide on how to fix it!

Many things can cause your brakes to grind. Some more frequent ones include worn or defective brake pads, a damaged rotor, or a lack of lubrication.

If you notice your brakes grinding, you should get them examined right away. Otherwise, you increase the probability of an accident happening.

I have some excellent news for you. I will explain everything you need to know about grinding brakes in this comprehensive guide. I will start by reviewing the various noises your brakes can make.

Afterward, I will cover the most common reasons your brakes create awful grinding sounds and how to fix them.

I’m ready to modify the text as you’ve instructed. However, you haven’t provided any text for me to edit yet. When you share the real text, I’ll change a maximum of two adjectives with synonyms, keeping the meaning the same and not altering any important information. I’ll then provide only the edited text in response.

Table of ContentsShow

Are Your Brakes Grinding, Squealing, Or Rattling?

If you have never experienced the stares caused by noisy brakes – then count yourself lucky. But they don’t just provide instant fame; they’re also a dangerous risk.

Based on a survey conducted in 2015 by the NHTSA, defective brakes were responsible for 22% of the documented accidents from 2005 to 2007.

Fortunately, the noise they produce actually helps identify what the problem is.

Take clattering, for instance – like the rattling of a spray can. This often indicates a problem with your brake pads caused by heat expansion. It is also possible that you have installed the wrong ones on your car.

Then there’s squealing, which is another onomatopoeia and possibly the most unsettling of them all.

Squealing isn’t always as awful as it sounds. It may just be that there’s water on your rotors, which is simple to resolve. Though, it could also mean something more serious, like worn brake pads rubbing against a rotor.

Lastly, there’s grinding, which is the most troubling sound to hear. Why? Because it nearly always leads to repairs being needed, many of which are expensive. Thankfully, we’ll now cover the top reasons your brakes might be grinding.

The Top 6 Reasons Behind Grinding Brakes

Reason #1: Your Brake Pads Are Worn

Brake pads are made of a friction-reducing material, usually consisting of a blend of graphite, steel, copper, and brass. If you didn’t know, they’re the parts that get pressed against the rotors, creating friction that slows the spinning of the wheels.

If your brake pads are worn, meaning they haven’t been replaced for 25,000 to 60,000 miles, the padding is likely almost gone. This can lead to the metal surface underneath rubbing against the rotor, which will manifest as a noisy grinding sound.

Changing your brake pads by yourself isn’t too challenging, but it does require a bit of time. If you do end up letting a skilled professional handle it, expect to spend as much as $300 per axle.

Reason #2: A Rotor Need To Be Replaced

These are the shiny metal discs you see in between your wheel spokes. They’re the component that the calipers squeeze the brake pads against, which slows the vehicle.

Because they are close to the ground, they experience significant use, which may result in rust or warping. Luckily, they remain undamaged for up to 30,000 to 70,000 miles, especially if proper maintenance is performed.

A reliable way to do this is to use a brake cleaner once per month and give them a comprehensive scrubbing. If they do develop rusting issues, though, there’s a decent chance they cause a grinding sound.

The total cost for rotor replacement is approximately $400 per axle. Luckily, you may only need resurfacing, which ranges from $10 to $20 per rotor and will eliminate any severe grinding.

Reason #3: Your Brake Pads Are Low Quality

While it’s always enjoyable to save a few bucks here and there, it’s not usually a wise choice regarding brake pads. A lower price almost always means inferior quality. Meaning they might cost less at first but lead to more frequent repairs or replacements being needed.

Lower-quality brake pads also typically contain more metal, making them more susceptible to noise when compared to a costlier option.

What is the solution? Well, if you have already installed poor-quality pads, the only authentic choice is to replace them or tolerate them. However, if the noise made is more of a squealing sound rather than a grinding, you might just need to resurface your rough rotors.

Reason #4: The Brake System Needs Lubricating

Imagine running a marathon without any water. Sound pleasant? The same goes for the brakes in your car. If they don’t receive adequate lubrication, there’s a good chance a grinding sound will eventually arise.

Typically, the fasteners of the brake caliper are responsible for keeping it steady. When they corrode, it may create a sharp noise.

Although you can substitute them on your own with an inexpensive cost, it could be simpler to let a store handle the task. Nevertheless, to avoid it becoming a problem, make sure to lubricate them every month.

Reason #5: You May Have A Faulty Wheel Bearing

Wheel bearings are what allow your wheels to spin for miles and miles without overheating. If there’s a problem with one of them, or if there’s debris inside, it can lead to a loud grinding sound.

You might also notice a vibration coming from your car, one that escalates to a maximum point and then returns back down. It may feel similar to running over a rumble strip on the side of the road. Furthermore, another sign is if you notice irregular wear on your tires.

Thankfully, wheel bearing issues aren’t too common since they usually last between 75,000 to 100,000. Though, when it does happen, expect to spend as much as $700 for a shop to replace them.

Reason #6: Your Car Has Been In Storage

Here’s a straightforward one – lack of use. If you’ve recently started using your car after it’s been sitting for a prolonged while, there’s a substantial chance the brakes will grind.

Why?

Because if it’s been kept poorly, it may have developed oxidation issues.

Thankfully, if you make it a habit to take your vehicle around the block about once a month, this shouldn’t become an issue.

You can also do your part to prevent rust while the vehicle is sitting. A few ways include using a car cover, parking on top of a tarp, and removing your wheels, and wrapping the exposed rotors in transparent bags.

Is It Safe To Drive With Grinding Brakes?

Your brakes are the single-most-vital safety system in your car. So, what do you think? Is it safe to drive with grinding brakes?

Grinding means that something is occurring that shouldn’t be. If you choose to ignore it, not only can the issue become severe, but so too can the peril.

You Might Love These

• Why Do My New Brakes Squeal?
• Brake Caliper Replacement Cost
• Brake Line Replacement Cost