Thread: Grinding sound when braking

Sounds like a buildup of brake dust. Everytime you replace something it is fine for awhile, then after the dust builds up again and the noise comes back. Go out and buy a $3 can of brake clean and clean one wheel at a time. Start with the drivers front.

hmmmmmmmm....my car is that sensitive huh? hehe. So, i'll clean it every time it grinds? which is one week interval. hehe. I remembered when I jacked up the car and accelerate a little.. the rotor is wobbly. wheel bearing?

Well depends. Without the wheel or rust holding the rotor in place it can wobble. Not a good way to see.

we will see until i changed the wheel bearing and cv joint..then i'll rule it out and move to the next..maybe the rotors next?

If the hub wobbles with the wheel on its the wheel bearing. If your brake caliper is failing it can drag the pad on the rotor. If the rotor is warped it can rub against the pads. If the pads are worn to the metal they will grind.

Just thoughts that may help.

Thanks for the info xonix!

Since you've changed your pads a few times I don't think this will help, but I had the same issue. Turns out it was the brake wear indicator. Pads still had a lot of life in them, maybe the indicator was a bit longer then it was supposed to be. Grabbed a pair of pliers and folded it back and no more grinding. Just a thought.

any suggestions which one ill try changing first.. wheel bearing,rotor,cv joint and boots? i cant change it all at once because of funds. hehe

@psalm

and the sound activates only during you press on your brakes?

Did you replace anything on the rear? Are you sure its coming from the front?

You mean you haven't checked the rotor!!!? I thought you said you had tried a couple rotors?

Damn if I would have known this I would have told you long ago to spin the rotor and see if it stays straight in the caliper. You also need to check for hot spots as these can cause squeaking. If bad enough they can cause major brake problems.

Order I would do your check:

Rotors
Bearings
CV Joints
Boots

All going by cost and possible solution to your problem.

By the way if you have warped rotors replace them. Some people will tell you just to have them turned, but I have seen time and time again turning the rotors just causing more problems then it's worth (i.e. needing spacers for your nice $800 wheels because the wheels are now hitting the calipers).

You may not need to replace your wheel bearings, by the way. You may just need to have them repacked. This is part of any brake service from anywhere and usually is not done as they think you won't notice. You will though because the squeaking will still be there. Happened on my wife's cruiser. Never letting a shop do work I can do again because of it. Lazy MFers.