If your brakes make a grinding noise, bring your vehicle into Oneway Automotive as soon as possible. A grinding noise signals a problem that should be fixed sooner rather than later. Your brakes play a crucial role in keeping your vehicle safe while you drive, and when they grind, it means they are not operating at their best. Here is a list of reasons why your brakes grind when you depress the brake pedal.
Worn Down Brake Pads
The most common reason why your brakes grind is your brake pads. Once they’ve worn down, the rotor will scrape against the caliper which is metal on metal. This is why you hear a grinding noise. If the pads are severely worn, your vehicle might also shimmy as it stops. You will likely feel this shimmy in the brake pedal or your steering wheel. Either way, replace the pads before the rotors and calipers go, too.
Inferior Brake Pads
If you decided to save money the last time you replaced your brake pads this could be the culprit. Lower-quality brake pads not only wear down faster but could also contain metal. As the brake pads wear down, the metal chunks scrape the rotor surfaces, which can damage the rotors. When you replace your brake pads opt for a quality product to ensure this doesn’t happen.
Stuck Objects
You cannot avoid dirt, dust or road grime when you drive. Sometimes, objects get stuck between the rotor and caliper. If this happens, you might hear a grinding sound when you apply the brakes. If you notice the grinding sound only coming from one side of your car, SUV or truck, you probably have a rock or other solid object stuck. A mechanic can take a quick look to see what’s in your brakes.
Bad Wheel Bearing
Finally, the grinding sound might not be your brakes at all; it could be a faulty wheel bearing. Over time, your wheel bearings wear down just as other vehicle parts do, and when they do wear down or if they become damaged, they might make a grinding sound. Usually, the grinding sound is accompanied by vibration, so, again, it’s important to get this checked right away to avoid severe wheel damage.
Early detection prevents additional damage to your brake system and wheels, and this translates into a lower repair bill. If your brakes grind when you stop your vehicle, swing by Oneway Automotive in Ardmore, OK. We’ll find the reason for the grind and fix it. Call us today.
