7 Common Reasons Your Brakes are Grinding

Breaks can grind when your brake pads, rotors, or wheel bearings are worn out, or for other reasons; whatever the case, you’ll want to address the issue quickly.
Written by Kathryn Mae Kurlychek
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
If your brake pads are worn out, you’ll likely experience a grinding noise when driving or stopping. But grinding brakes can indicate several potentially dangerous issues—here are the seven most common reasons your brakes are grinding.
Grinding brakes make for unsettling drives—but is driving when your brakes are grinding really that dangerous? It depends on the problem, but since your brakes are one of the most imperative safety features of your car, it’s important to have the issue addressed promptly
That’s why
Jerry
, the
trusted insurance comparison tool
for
car insurance
shopping, has put together this list of the 7 most common causes of grinding brakes. Read on to learn more about each one, and how you can identify the problem in your car. 
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Why are my breaks grinding?

Worn-out brake pads

Most commonly, if you’re experiencing grinding noises when braking, it’s an indicator that
your brake pads are worn out
. Your brake pads wear thin with use, and over time the metal backing beneath may become exposed. This metal backing may rub against your brake rotor or caliper, causing a grinding noise whenever you go to stop. 
If you’ve noticed your brakes squealing for a while—or scrubbing—it’s a tell-tale sign that your brake pads need replacing. Usually, you’ll need to have them changed every 25,000 to 65,000 miles or so, depending on your vehicle. 
It’s best to let a professional handle
changing your brake pads
. The average cost typically hovers around $300 per axle, but it may be higher for some vehicles. 
Despite the price tag, it’s crucial you have your brake pads changed promptly: driving with worn-out brake pads can damage other components of your car’s braking system, reduce the overall effectiveness of your braking system, and eventually lead to brake failure.

Worn-out rotor discs

Another cause for grinding brakes may be your rotor discs. These are the shiny discs that interact with your brake caliper to help bring your vehicle to a stop. Since your rotors are located close to the ground in your car’s undercarriage, they’re prone to damage or warping from dust, rust, or debris. 
If damaged or warped, your rotors may also rub against your caliper to cause this unseemly grinding noise. 
If you notice grinding noises even while driving at a constant speed, your rotors are likely to blame. You may also experience shaking or vibrations in your steering wheel and rumbling when you press on the gas pedal
Replacing your rotor discs
costs more than replacing your brake pads—for parts and labor, you may pay $400 per axle or more. Alternatively, if your rotors are salvageable, you can get them resurfaced for significantly less: it shouldn’t cost more than $20 per brake rotor. 

Faulty wheel bearing

Your wheel bearings also can cause a grinding noise when you brake if they’re wearing down. The wheel bearings are what keep your wheels turning, so they’re an essential part of your vehicle’s everyday functioning. 
Vibrations in your steering wheel or brakes while driving or uneven wear on your tires are indicators that your wheel bearings are the problem. 
Luckily, this issue is far less common and usually won’t happen before the odometer passes 75,000 miles. Nonetheless, it’s a costly fix—costing $700 on average to have your
wheel bearing replaced
MORE: Why does my steering wheel shake, and how do I fix it?

The braking system needs lubricating

Like many other systems in your car, your braking system requires proper lubrication to keep all its working parts operating smoothly. A lack of lubrication could cause grinding in your brakes, particularly if you slam on them or stop suddenly. 
Usually, you’ll want to look at the caliper bolts first. Lubricating them regularly can reduce or rectify the issue entirely—alternatively, you can replace them entirely on the cheap. The bolts themselves can usually be purchased for under $20). 

There’s a foreign item in your brake system

For grinding noises that are more constant or occur when you aren’t hitting your brakes, it’s always prudent to check for something lodged in your braking system. Sometimes, debris from the road can get stuck in your brake caliper or rotors—and leaving it there too long could cause serious damage to your braking system. 
It can be difficult to locate the object yourself. So if you’re thinking a foreign item is the culprit of your brakes grinding, it’s best to take it straight to a professional and let them assess the damage. 

Low-quality brake pads

No matter how you often drive, your brake pads will wear out over time. However, lower-quality or cheaply made brake pads tend to wear down faster. While choosing lower-priced brake pads may feel like a cost-effective decision, it can create the need for more frequent replacements, which will ultimately cost you more in the long run. 
Typically, lower-quality brake pads have higher quantities of metal and less brake padding, so the metal backing can become exposed more quickly, causing your brakes to grind. If this is the case, you’ll likely experience brake scrubbing before full-out grinding noises—all the same, you’ll want to
get the brake pads replaced

You haven’t driven in awhile

Sometimes, there’s nothing wrong with your car except that it hasn’t been driven in a while! If you’re not driving your car regularly, rust can build up on the brakes and cause a grinding noise. Your brake fluid can also go stale, and other components of your vehicle may wind up falling into disrepair, as well. 
Remember, a healthy car is one that’s driven often—so try to make time to drive your vehicle at least once a month! If you’re not using it often, consider investing in a vehicle cover to protect your car from exposure to the elements and unnecessary damage. 

How to fix grinding brakes 

So now you know why your brakes are making a grinding noise—but what do you do about it? 
In most scenarios, you’ll want to take your car to a professional, unless you have a strong background in car maintenance and repair. No matter the cause, it’s important to be proactive in addressing the problem—don’t wait! 
Grinding brakes can lead to a decreased performance by your car’s brake system and, eventually, brake failure. Faulty brakes are
a leading cause of vehicular accidents
, but luckily these incidents are completely preventable—as long as you’re getting the proper care for your car!

How to find affordable car insurance 

Keeping your car safe takes more than staying up-to-date on necessary repairs. You also need to keep your car insured! But between hectic schedules and
trips to the mechanic
, finding time to shop for insurance can feel impossible. That’s why insurance comparison super app
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Compare insurance quotes from 50+ carriers with Jerry in under 45 seconds
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FAQs

Depending on the issue, it will usually cost between $50 to $350 to fix grinding brakes. In some cases—such as with faulty wheel bearings—the costs may be much higher, and prices are also dependent on your vehicle’s make and model.
Technically, yes, but proceed with caution. Until you know the cause behind your grinding brakes, driving can be potentially dangerous.
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