If you didn’t already know, “onomatopoeia” is a term that sounds like its own name when spoken.
Some of these include the words: achoo, bang, boom, buzz, or bark.
What happens when the brakes in your car develop an onomatopoeia?
Does your car have grinding brakes? Here’s a short guide on how to fix it!
Many things can cause your brakes to grind. Some more common ones include worn or low-quality brake pads, a damaged rotor, or a lack of lubrication.
If you notice your brakes grinding, you should get them inspected right away. Otherwise, you increase the chances of an accident occurring.
I have some good news for you. I will explain everything you need to know about grinding brakes in this guide. I will start by reviewing the many noises your brakes can make.
Afterward, I will cover the most common reasons your brakes create awful grinding sounds and how to fix them.
Let’s get started!
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Are Your Brakes Grinding, Squealing, Or Rattling?
If you have never experienced the stares caused by noisy brakes – then count yourself lucky. But they don’t just provide instant fame; they’re also a safety risk.
Based on a survey conducted in 2015 by the NHTSA, faulty brakes were responsible for 22% of the recorded accidents from 2005 to 2007.
Thankfully, the sound they emit actually helps identify what the issue is.
Take rattling, for instance – like the shaking of a spray can. This often suggests a problem with your brake pads caused by thermal expansion. It is also possible that you have installed the wrong ones on your car.
Then there’s squealing, which is another onomatopoeia and possibly the most annoying of them all.
Squealing isn’t always as terrible as it sounds. It may just be that there’s water on your rotors, which is easy to resolve. Though, it could also mean something more serious, like worn brake pads rubbing against a rotor.
Lastly, there’s grinding, which is the most alarming sound to hear. Why? Because it nearly always leads to repairs being needed, many of which are costly. Thankfully, we’ll now cover the top reasons your brakes might be grinding.
The Top 6 Reasons Behind Grinding Brakes
Reason #1: Your Brake Pads Are Worn
Brake pads are made of a friction-reducing material, usually consisting of a mix of graphite, steel, copper, and brass. If you didn’t know, they’re the parts that get squeezed against the rotors, creating friction that slows the rotation of the wheels.
If your brake pads are worn, meaning they haven’t been changed for 25,000 to 60,000 miles, the padding is likely almost gone. This can lead to the metal surface underneath rubbing against the rotor, which will manifest as a loud grinding sound.
Changing your brake pads by yourself isn’t too hard, but it does require a bit of time. If you do end up letting a professional handle it, expect to spend as much as $300 per axle.
Reason #2: A Rotor Need To Be Replaced
These are the shiny metal discs you see in between your wheel spokes. They’re the part that the calipers squeeze the brake pads against, which slows the vehicle.
Because they are near the ground, they experience heavy use, which may result in rust or bending. Luckily, they remain intact for up to 30,000 to 70,000 miles, especially if proper maintenance is performed.
A reliable way to do this is to use a brake cleaner once per month and give them a good scrubbing. If they do develop rusting issues, though, there’s a good chance they cause a grinding sound.
The complete expense for rotor replacement is around $400 per axle. Luckily, you might only require resurfacing, which ranges from $10 to $20 per rotor and will eliminate any grinding.
Reason #3: Your Brake Pads Are Low Quality
While it’s always nice to save a few bucks here and there, it’s not usually a wise choice regarding brake pads. A lower price almost always means lower quality. Meaning they might cost less at first but lead to more frequent repairs or replacements being needed.
Lower-quality brake pads also usually contain more metal, making them more prone to noise when compared to a costlier option.
What is the solution? Well, if you have already installed low-quality pads, the only real choice is to replace them or tolerate them. However, if the noise made is more of a squealing sound rather than a grinding, you might just need to resurface your rotors.
Reason #4: The Brake System Needs Lubricating
Imagine running a marathon without any water. Sound fun? The same goes for the brakes in your car. If they don’t receive enough lubrication, there’s a good chance a grinding sound will eventually arise.
Usually, the bolts of the brake caliper are responsible for keeping it secure. When they corrode, it may create a scraping noise.
Although you can substitute them on your own with a low cost, it could be simpler to let a store handle the task. Nevertheless, to avoid it becoming a problem, make sure to lubricate them every month.
Reason #5: You May Have A Faulty Wheel Bearing
Wheel bearings are what allow your wheels to spin for miles and miles without overheating. If there’s an issue with one of them, or if there’s debris inside, it can lead to a loud grinding sound.
You might also notice a vibration coming from your car, one that escalates to a high point and then returns back down. It may feel similar to running over a rumble strip on the side of the road. Furthermore, another indication is if you notice uneven wear on your tires.
Thankfully, wheel bearing issues aren’t too common since they usually last between 75,000 to 100,000. Though, when it does happen, expect to spend as much as $700 for a shop to replace them.
Reason #6: Your Car Has Been In Storage
Here’s an easy one – lack of use. If you’ve recently started using your car after it’s been sitting for a while, there’s a good chance the brakes will grind.
Why?
Because if it’s been stored improperly, it may have developed rust issues.
Thankfully, if you make it a habit to take your car around the block about once a month, this shouldn’t become an issue.
You can also do your part to prevent rust while the vehicle is sitting. A few ways include using a car cover, parking on top of a tarp, and removing your wheels, and wrapping the exposed rotors in plastic bags.
Is It Safe To Drive With Grinding Brakes?
Your brakes are the single-most-important safety system in your car. So, what do you think? Is it safe to drive with grinding brakes?
Grinding means that something is happening that shouldn’t be. If you choose to ignore it, not only can the problem become worse, but so too can the danger.
