What is the Grinding Sound When I Brake?

We’re all used to the unique sounds our cars make, so when a new sound starts, we take note. If you’ve noticed your brakes grinding, it could be a foreign object lodged in the brakes, or your brake pads are worn through. If you’ve noticed this sound when braking, be sure to bring it into our service center to make sure your brakes are working as they should.

Our expert team at Harr Toyota, serving near the Worcester, Auburn, and Shrewsbury, Maryland, areas, is here to help explain what your car’s brake sounds mean and what to do about them.

The Brake-sics

Before you can start looking into specific issues, it’s best to know the basics. A lot of cars have disc brakes, which means there’s a rotor—the “disc” in “disc brakes”—brake pads, and a caliper. The rotor spins with the wheel, and when you brake, the caliper squeezes the brake pads against the rotor. This causes friction and makes the car slow to a stop.

What Causes Brakes to Wear?

Brake wear is completely normal. Brake wear is not an exact science, but it is caused by everyday driving, so the more you drive, the more quickly your brakes will wear.

If you want to extend the life of your brakes, drive with the flow of traffic and leave plenty of room between you and the car in front of you to avoid a hard brake. Braking hard, especially at higher speeds, can cause more friction and faster wear.

If you are experiencing signs that your brakes are worn, you should schedule a brake inspection.