Why Are My Brakes Grinding?

If you’ve recently noticed some strange sounds during your commute from Bellaire to Kalkaska, you might be asking, “Why are my brakes grinding?” Grinding brakes are never fun, as the sound and sensation can be jarring. Luckily, Serra Volkswagen of Traverse City is here with a range of service tips to help you determine why your brakes are making a grinding noise.

While you may prefer to wait until a more convenient date to handle your grinding brakes, brake health is critical for your safety on the Lake City streets. In fact, the National Highway Safety Administration has found that faulty brakes could be a factor in as many as 25% of all road accidents. With that in mind, it’s probably wise to schedule service with us in Traverse City right away when you notice your brakes grinding when stopping or while driving around town.

Brakes Grinding When Stopping

The first thing you want to do when dealing with your brakes making a grinding noise is to determine when the problem occurs. If you notice that your brakes are grinding when stopping, there may be a few issues at play:

• If the grinding noise is present when you’re stopping or slowing down, you likely have an issue with your brake pads. Over time, brake pads wear down and begin to make a squealing noise known as “brake scrubbing.” If left unattended, the squealing will be replaced by a grinding noise.
• If the grinding noise is sharp and accompanied by a rumble in your pedal, it could be your brake disc and calipers. This problem may require a full brake pad, disc, or rotor replacement.
• If you hear your brakes grinding when you stop at full force, it is very likely just your Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) activating.

Brakes Grinding When Driving

If your brakes make a grinding noise when you’re driving around town, the issue may be something as simple as rocks and debris bouncing off of the caliper and rotor. While this is an easy fix, you’ll still want to have it done right away. If you’re an experienced DIY-er, you can attempt to remove the debris in your own garage. Otherwise, it’s best to leave this task to the trained professionals in our service center. You can also schedule a full inspection to ensure the rest of your vehicle is in good working order.

Schedule Your Service with Serra Volkswagen of Traverse City

Now that you can answer the question, “Why are my brakes grinding?” you can take on each drive with more confidence. If you do notice your brakes making a grinding noise, make your way to Serra Volkswagen of Traverse City right away. Not only will we diagnose the cause of your grinding brakes, but we’ll offer affordable solutions to help you get back on the road. What’s more, we use genuine OEM parts for all of our repairs, so you can leave our shop with total peace of mind. Work with us in Traverse City today!