Why Are My Brakes Grinding?

You’re driving through Bradenton and you suddenly hear a metallic noise from under your car. You wonder, “Why are my brakes grinding, and how to fix them?” The sound of brakes grinding can indicate serious problems with your vehicle that need to be addressed ASAP.

While you might put off brake repairs until your next service appointment, remember that the National Highway Safety Administration has found that faulty brakes are a factor in up to 25% of all road accidents. If your brakes are grinding, schedule an appointment with the Cox Mazda service team and contact us online to speak to one of our staff!

Brakes Grinding When Stopping

First, when do you notice your brakes making grinding noises? If you hear your brakes grinding when stopping, it could be for a few different reasons:

• If you hear the sound when stopping or slowing down, your brake pads are probably the culprit. But over time, brake pads lose their thickness and start to make a squealing noise – known as “brake scrubbing.” When the pads wear down further, you’ll hear a grinding noise instead.
• If you hear a sharper grinding noise, it could be the sound of your brake disc and calipers. This may also cause a rumble in your pedal. This may require a brake pad replacement, alongside a disc or rotor replacement.
• 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

If your brakes make a grinding noise when driving throughout Sarasota, it could be rocks and debris bouncing off the caliper and rotor. This is an easy service, but it’s important to get it resolved to prevent more damage from accumulating. You can try to remove the debris yourself if you have experience with cars, but most Tampa-area drivers prefer to leave the job to our service department. You can also schedule an inspection while you’re here to resolve your brakes grinding for good.

Schedule Service With Cox Mazda in Bradenton

Looking for the last answer to the question, “Why are my brakes grinding?” Learn more with the service experts at Cox Mazda. Over the years, we’ve been helping Palmetto-area drivers keep their vehicles operating at peak performance. Before scheduling your next appointment, check out our service specials to see how much you can save. Fix your brakes grinding near Sarasota with Cox Mazda!