Brakes Grinding When Stopping?

It might not be as bad as you think.  Many brake pads have a small piece of metal that sticks out (see picture).

That small strip of metal is design to drag on the rotor and make a grinding noise when the pads are close to wearing out.

That noise is obnoxious, and most people take it to a shop to find out what's going on.  However, there is likely still some pad material left, which makes driving your vehicle safe, just not very pleasant.

When this happens it's a good idea to call your local auto repair shop to schedule a time for them to look at the brakes.  Most likely you'll need new pads and rotors to regain the stopping power you had when the car was new.

Brake pad wear indicator

The flip side to this is that not all pads have wear indicators.  So, if you year a grinding noise, and your pads don't have wear indicators, then it's likely that all of the pad material is used up and you have a real safety concern on your hands.  I see this quite frequently, and it can eventually ruin the calipers which can be expensive to replace.

Ultimately, the best practice is to have your brakes checked regularly by a shop you trust.  They can alert you to changes in your pad wear before you experience any grinding and help you plan out the repair so it isn't a surprise at a bad time, like when you just spent a bunch of money on Christmas presents.  Plus, a great shop can spot abnormal or uneven wear, which can lengthen your stopping distances, even though the pads aren't officially worn out.

So, if you are hearing a grinding it's time to take it in to your favorite shop.  If you don't have a regular shop, give me a call.  I can take a look at it for you.

- Joe