Harr Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram
If you’re casually driving near Worcester, Auburn, and Shrewsbury, MA, go to lean on the brakes and hear a grinding sound, you know something is up with your car. What is that grinding sound? Why does it occur and what does it mean for your vehicle?
At Harr Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, your car’s well-being is our top priority. So, if you’ve been wondering “what’s that grinding sound when I brake?” you’ve come to the right place. The coming sections break down why brakes grind and more importantly, what you can do about it!
There are two primary reasons why your brakes may be grinding: either the pads and rotors are wearing down or there’s some type of debris caught up between the caliper and the rotor disc.
Worn Brakes
For most drivers, the grinding is going to come from the typical wear and tear that occurs with brakes. The brake pads in your car will last anywhere from three to seven years. For the rotors, you can expect something like 70,000 miles, which, depending on how often you drive, can range between three and seven years as well.
Grinding is just one sign of worn brakes, too. If the brake pedal is squishy or if your vehicle has trouble decelerating from high speeds, it also indicates worn brakes.
Thankfully, changing the brake pads and rotors is a simple process. At our service shop, we’ll be able to get you in and out quickly with a fresh set of pads, rotors, or both!
Debris Caught in the Brakes
There are scenarios where a piece of debris can get lodged between the pads and rotors, causing an unsightly grinding noise while braking. So, if your brake pads and rotors are still young, you can assume there’s something stuck in the brakes that’s causing the sound.
At our shop, the first thing we’ll do for brake repair is inspect the entire braking system. If something is jammed in there, getting it out will be a quick and easy process!
One other important thing to remember is that your brakes will make noises in certain instances, such as if they’re wet or are very cold. This is common and doesn’t require any type of service or adjustment.
Brake pads, rotors, and many other parts of the braking system are made of metal. When metal gets wet, rust forms. If you go to use the brakes while they’re wet, the grinding you hear is the brakes working off the rust formed on their surface.
So, if the grinding noise of your brakes is only heard when the car is wet or cold, no service or repairs are needed!
If that grinding noise continues when you apply your car’s brakes around Worcester, Auburn, and Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, come by Harr CDJR. We’ll be sure to inspect the brakes, identify the cause of the grinding, and make proper adjustments so your vehicle is back to normal!
