Why Are My Brakes Grinding?

Mechanic Adjusting Brake Pad

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 (678) 288-4666 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!

 

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Hendrick Vehicle Disclaimer
$849.00 Dealer Administrative Charge included in advertised price.

All prices exclude all taxes, tag, title, registration fees and government fees. Out of state buyers are responsible for all taxes and government fees and title/registration fees in the state where the vehicle will be registered. All prices include all manufacturer to dealer incentives, which the dealer retains unless otherwise specifically provided. Dealer not responsible for errors and omissions; all offers subject to change without notice; please confirm listings with dealer. All vehicles may not be physically located at this dealership but may be available for delivery through this location. Transportation charges may apply. Please contact the dealership for more specific information. All vehicles are subject to prior sale.
 

Additional Disclaimers:

*Event disclaimer: *Well-qualified customers who purchase a new, used, or certified pre-owned vehicle, 4 model years or newer with less than 60K miles between December 1, 2023, and January 12, 2024, and finance through a participating dealer and lender have the option to defer monthly payments for 90 days from contract date. Finance charges begin to accrue on the date you sign the Retail Installment Sale Contract at the Annual Percentage Rate (APR) disclosed in the contract. May not be combined with other preferred lender financing offers. 72 months maximum term limit. Equal monthly payments only. Not available to Pennsylvania residents; see your dealer for details. Must take retail delivery by January 12, 2024. See dealer for complete down payment options and details.

*Savings include dealer discount and all available OEM incentives. Cannot combine offer with any other incentives. Discount and incentive vary by stock number. Offer does not include tax, tag, title, accessories and other fees. 1.9% APR for 36 months. Monthly payment is $28.60 for every $1,000 you finance. Example down payment: 13.6%. Must finance with GM Financial. Some customers may not qualify. Not available with lease and some other offers. Take new retail delivery by 1/2/2024.

*Savings include dealer discount and all available OEM incentives. Cannot combine offer with any other incentives. Discount and incentive vary by stock number. Offer does not include tax, tag, title, accessories and other fees. 2.1% APR for 36 months. Monthly payment is $28.69 for every $1,000 you finance. Example down payment: 19.0%. Must finance with GM Financial. Some customers may not qualify. Not available with lease and some other offers. Take new retail delivery by 1/2/2024.

*Savings include dealer discount and all available OEM incentives. Cannot combine offer with any other incentives. Discount and incentive vary by stock number. Offer does not include tax, tag, title, accessories and other fees. 2.1% APR for 36 months. Monthly payment is $28.69 for every $1,000 you finance. Example down payment: 19.0%. Must finance with GM Financial. Some customers may not qualify. Not available with lease and some other offers. Take new retail delivery by 1/2/2024.

*Savings include dealer discount and all available OEM incentives. Cannot combine offer with any other incentives. Discount and incentive vary by stock number. Offer does not include tax, tag, title, accessories and other fees. 1.9% APR for 36 months. Monthly payment is $28.60 for every $1,000 you finance. Example down payment: 20.2%. Must finance with GM Financial. Some customers may not qualify. Not available with lease and some other offers. Take new retail delivery by 1/2/2024.

*Savings include dealer discount and all available OEM incentives. Cannot combine offer with any other incentives. Discount and incentive vary by stock number. Offer does not include tax, tag, title, accessories and other fees. Take new retail delivery by 1/2/2024.

*Savings include dealer discount and all available OEM incentives. Cannot combine offer with any other incentives. Discount and incentive vary by stock number. Offer does not include tax, tag, title, accessories and other fees. 2.1% APR for 36 months. Monthly payment is $28.69 for every $1,000 you finance. Example down payment: 17.6%. Must finance with GM Financial. Some customers may not qualify. Not available with lease and some other offers. Take new retail delivery by 1/2/2024.

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Rick Hendrick Chevrolet Duluth 33.96436, -84.12224.