Car Making Grinding Noise When Braking? What It Means and What to Do
A grinding noise when you brake is not just annoying. It is a safety warning. Here is what causes it and whether you can keep driving.
What the Grinding Sound Means
Grinding when braking means metal is rubbing against metal. The brake pad friction material has worn away completely, and the metal backing plate is now grinding directly against the brake rotor. This is a serious safety issue because braking distance increases significantly and the rotor is being damaged with every stop. The longer you drive with grinding brakes, the more expensive the repair becomes.
Can You Keep Driving?
You should get the brakes inspected within 1 to 2 days. Driving with grinding brakes is possible for short distances at low speeds, but it is dangerous. Your stopping distance is much longer than normal, and the brakes can fail entirely if the remaining pad material breaks apart. Avoid highway driving and leave extra following distance until the brakes are fixed.
Repair Costs
If caught early (just pads worn), a brake pad replacement costs 100 to 250 dollars per axle including parts and labor. If you drove on grinding brakes and the rotors are damaged, you also need new rotors which brings the total to 250 to 500 dollars per axle. In severe cases where the caliper was damaged by heat, the repair can reach 400 to 800 dollars per axle. The lesson: replacing pads on time saves hundreds of dollars.
How to Make Brakes Last Longer
Brake pads typically last 30,000 to 70,000 miles depending on driving style. To extend their life, avoid hard braking by anticipating stops and coasting to slow down before applying brakes. Use engine braking on hills by downshifting instead of riding the brakes. Get brake inspections every 15,000 miles or at every tire rotation. Most shops inspect brakes for free when you come in for other service.
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