Why Are My Brakes Grinding?

The last thing you ever want to hear during your commute from Omaha to Lincoln is unfamiliar noises coming from your vehicle. If you suddenly hear a metallic scraping sound, you may ask, “Why are my brakes grinding?” Unusual brake sounds can be indicative of an issue that requires immediate attention. 

While you may feel tempted to delay brake care until the next time you have an opening in your calendar, the National Highway Safety Administration reports that faulty brakes contribute to up to 25% of car accidents. With that in mind, it’s best to avoid the stress and potential hazard that comes with delaying service when your brakes are making a grinding noise. If you hear strange sounds or your brakes are grinding when stopping, read on below to find insight and solutions. 

Brakes Grinding When Stopping

The first thing you should note is when your brakes are producing strange sounds. If you notice your brakes grinding when stopping, that could be caused by a few different factors:

• If your brakes are making a grinding noise as you stop or slow down, your brake pads are likely the cause. Over time, brakes wear down, and the pads lose their thickness. When this happens, you may hear a squealing sound known as “brake scrubbing.” If the pads wear further without replacement, you’ll notice a grinding noise during your Blair travels. 
• Are you noticing a sharp grinding noise? If that’s the case, your brake disc and calipers are likely producing the jarring sounds. This issue is often accompanied by a rumbling brake pedal. In this case, you may need to replace your brake pad, disc, and/or rotor.
• If you hear the odd noises when you apply full force to your brakes, it may simply be your Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS). Your ABS activates when you slam on the brakes to improve your stopping power. You may also feel your pedal rumble when ABS is triggered. 

Brakes Grinding When Driving

If your brakes are grinding throughout your travels, it could be debris bouncing off the caliper and rotor. This is an easy problem to fix, but it should be handled in a timely manner to prevent additional, unnecessary damage. If you have prior experience with DIY auto projects, you can attempt to remove the debris on your own. Otherwise, you may want to schedule service with us to allow our professionals to handle the job on your behalf. 

Schedule Your Service with Sid Dillon Mazda

Still not sure if you’ve found the answer you need to the question, “Why are my brakes grinding?” If that’s the case, contact us to discuss why your brakes are making a grinding noise. Our service experts can quickly diagnose your issues and provide you with affordable service options. If you need genuine Mazda brake care, our Fremont dealership is here for you!

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