EZCarFix DIY Auto Repair

Symptom Guide

Brakes Grinding

Grinding means metal on metal. Every stop is getting more expensive.

What's happening

A harsh grinding or growling when you brake. This is the sound of the brake pad backing plate chewing into the rotor. It only gets more expensive the longer you wait.

How urgent is it? High — deal with this soon

Every mile on grinding brakes scores the rotors deeper. What could be a $150 pad job becomes a $500 pad-and-rotor job fast. Fix this week.

Most likely causes

  1. 1

    Pads worn to the backing plate

    The friction material is gone; steel is grinding steel.

  2. 2

    Stuck caliper

    Keeps one pad dragging until it's destroyed.

  3. 3

    Debris between pad and rotor

    A rock or road debris scores the rotor.

How to diagnose it — in order

  1. 1

    Stop driving on them except to the shop. Seriously.

  2. 2

    Look at the rotors through the wheel for deep grooves or a mirror-shiny ring.

  3. 3

    Check all four corners; one grinding corner often means a stuck caliper on that wheel.

  4. 4

    Plan on pads AND rotors; grinding almost always ruins the rotor.

Repair guides for this symptom

Repair guide

2014-2020 Nissan Rogue - Brake Pads

Step-by-step DIY for this repair.

Repair guide

2019-2024 Chevrolet Silverado - Brake Pads

Step-by-step DIY for this repair.

Repair guide

2019-2024 Volkswagen Jetta - Brake Pads

Step-by-step DIY for this repair.

Repair guide

2017-2020 Hyundai Elantra - Brake Pads

Step-by-step DIY for this repair.

General diagnostic information, not a factory service procedure. If you're unsure, have a qualified technician confirm the diagnosis before buying parts.