Why Are My Brakes Grinding?

We hear a lot of service questions here at Rick Hendrick Chevrolet Duluth, and one of the most common happens to be “Why are my brakes grinding?” As you may have guessed, brakes grinding indicates some type of problem within your brake system. However, depending on when you hear the brakes making a grinding noise, the source of the problem can vary. One thing is for certain — you should schedule service without delay if you can hear your brakes grinding when stopping! Take it from the National Highway Safety Administration, which reports that bad brakes contribute to as many as 25% of all road accidents. Read on with Rick Hendrick Chevrolet Duluth to learn more about brakes grinding and what to do. 

Do You Hear Your Brakes Grinding When Stopping?

When do you most frequently hear the brakes making a grinding noise? Brakes grinding when stopping or slowing down in Lawrenceville and Suwanee can mean the following:

• If the brakes are grinding only when you slow down and stop, it’s probably because you need new brake pads. Brake pads thin out over time and start to make a squealing sound, which is known as brake scrubbing. When the pads get even thinner, the squealing turns into a grinding noise. If you already replaced the brake pads and you’re wondering, “Why are my brakes grinding after new pads?”, it could be because the pads are still very new and need to go through a break-in period, known as “bedding in.” 
• Do the brakes grinding have a sort of sharper quality? This can indicate a problem with the brake disc and calipers; you might also feel rumbling in the brake pedal. In this case, you need a brake pad replacement plus a disc or rotor replacement. “Why are my brakes grinding after new pads and rotors?” The same as above, but the rotors also may not have been smoothed down before installation, causing the brake pads to squeak and grind as they adjust to the grooves in the rotors.
• Are your brakes grinding when you make a sudden full-force stop? This might just be the Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS). The ABS activates automatically when the full brakes are applied, which can cause grinding and vibrations in the pedal.

Brakes Grinding When Driving

It might seem strange to think of your brakes grinding while driving in Johns Creek, but some drivers will hear the grinding noise when they aren’t actually using the brakes. Often, this is because there are rocks or debris bouncing off the caliper and rotor. Schedule a service appointment to have the debris removed, and you should no longer hear the brakes making a grinding noise

Schedule Brake Service in Duluth

Wondering if it’s time for new brakes? Call us at or submit a contact form online to start a conversation with a friendly service representative. We’ll help you understand your vehicle’s needs and provide service offers to help you save on critical maintenance!