Why Are My Brakes Grinding?

You didn’t expect to hear that noise as you were driving through Omaha, NE. It’s a metallic grinding sound coming from your vehicle. Now you ask, “Why are my brakes grinding and how can I make it stop?” Hearing the sound of brakes grinding can indicate issues with your braking system that need immediate attention because brakes are vital for safety on the road.

You may feel tempted to delay your next brake repair until a more convenient time when you have the money. But you need to know the National Highway Safety Administration has determined that faulty brakes are a factor in as many as 25% of all car accidents. The safety of your family is what’s most important, so it’s probably best to schedule brake service with Edwards Hyundai ASAP. 

Until you bring those in, let’s discuss some common causes of brakes making a grinding noise.

Brakes Grinding When Stopping

When do you hear your brakes making grinding noises? If this occurs when stopping your vehicle, it could be for a few different reasons:

• If you hear the grinding noise when stopping or slowing down, your brake pads are probably what’s causing the sound. Grinding noises are the second part of brake wear. Over time, brake pads lose their thickness and start to make a squealing noise, known as “brake scrubbing.” As the pads wear down more, you’ll hear a grinding noise instead of squealing.
• If you happen to hear a sharper grinding noise, it could be a brake disc and calipers. This may also cause a rumble in your pedal. This may require a brake pad replacement, but also disc or rotor replacement. Whatever the cause, you need to get this taken care of sooner rather than later.
• If you hear brakes grinding when stopping at full force, it could be your anti-lock braking system (ABS). Your ABS will activate if you apply the full brakes, and it may even cause vibrations in the pedal. 

Brakes Grinding When Driving

Brakes making a grinding noise while driving (and not stopping) in Atlantic, it could just indicate rocks and debris bouncing off or getting stuck in the caliper and rotor. This is a relatively easy fix to make at a certified brake shop like ours. But it’s important to resolve this issue quickly to prevent more damage later on. 

You can try to remove the debris yourself if you have experience with cars. But most Missouri Valley drivers prefer to have our service department take care of this issue. You can also schedule an inspection while you’re here to resolve your brake grinding noises for good.

Schedule Your Brake Service With Edwards Hyundai

Need a final answer to the question “Why are my brakes grinding?” There’s only one way to know for sure, and that’s by bringing in your vehicle for brake service with the experts at Edwards Hyundai. 

Contact us or call 712-382-8838 for more information or schedule a service appointment at your convenience. We’ll bring your car and its brakes back to excellent working condition. We’re located in Council Bluffs, just a short drive from Missouri Valley, for convenient brake service and repairs!