Q: GRINDING NOISE WHILE BRAKING

asked by on November 28, 2016

Grinding noise mostly from the rear while braking even at low speeds. What need to be replaced? Pads? Rotors?

My car has 78000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Brake Rotor/Disc Replacement $258.18 - $1079.18 Get a Quote

This may be a sign of warped brake rotors. As you may know, when you press on your brake pedal, this activates a hydraulic pressure which forces small pistons inside your brake calipers to push the brake pads against the brake rotors which is what causes the stopping power you are familiar with. When this happens, an enormous amount of heat is generated due to the friction between the brake pads and rotors. As the brake rotors eventually cool down and then heat up again the next time you press on the brakes, over time this can cause them to warp slightly causing very small low spots on the surface of the brake rotor. When this happens and the brake pads are applied again to the rotors, this causes an uneven surface (on the rotor) to be applied to the flat surface brake pad, which can cause a vibration, shaking or very loud grinding sound. I would recommend having an expert from YourMechanic come to your location to diagnose and replace your brake rotors.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

Traction warning on, unexpected deceleration
It definitely sounds like there is an issue either with the engine management or traction control system. Fault codes need to be read out to see if there are any underlying issues causing these malfunctions. One common input to both...
My car is having repeated problems with the batteries going dead quickly
Have you had your alternator (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/alternator-replacement) checked? Make sure the charging system is working correctly. Does the vehicle work after you jump start it? If the charging system checks out, the next thing is to check for a parasitic draw....
When its cold my car door won't shut
Hello. From what you describe it would appear that your door latch mechanism may be getting stuck, perhaps due to the cold weather. You may be able to apply some sort of lubricant to the mechanism that may remedy the...
altinater is fine but battery light keeps coming on what could be the problem? came on 7 times while on the road
The battery should be load tested by a professional. Load testing can only be reliably performed on a fully charged battery. If the battery passes a load test be sure it is NOT a marginal pass in which case you...
I have a 2007 dodge charger v6 3.5L engine NAG1 RWD Transmission. I'm confused in what is causing limp mode in my car..when the c
The code P0420 (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/p0420-obd-ii-trouble-code-catalyst-system-efficiency-below-threshold-bank-1-by-jamahl-walker) will cause the computer to put the transmission in limp mode to protect the catalytic converter. Check the following areas to see the cause for the P0420 code condition: P0420 A damaged or failed oxygen sensor...
What does it cost to replace the spark plugs on a 2010 Toyota Prius?
Prius spark plugs are more accessible on the engine than many makes and models, so it is one of the lower cost engines to perform the replacement on. You can obtain an exact written quote for replacement, and schedule the...
99 jeep grand Cherokee radiator leak
Hi there. A slow and progressive-expanding leak as you've described is typically an indication of a damaged radiator seal to a minor split on the radiator hose. If the radiator has not yet been replaced on the Jeep or not...
P1138 nissan sentra 1.8 code reads where is the swirl sensor located the car stalls upon acceleration or rpm revels then drops
The swirl control valve is actually a part that helps to control the vaporization of the fuel inside the intake passages as it is passed through to the combustion chamber during low idle or cooler operating temperatures. As you may...
My mini r53 makes a weird sound from the front suspension when driving over rough roads at low speed.
You're probably right. The most common noise to come from the front struts comes from the thrust bearings. The thrust bearings support the weight of the car at the top of the struts and allow the struts to turn easily....

Related articles

A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG
Powerful, Powerful, aggressive and streamlined, the 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG is a precision-crafted supercar. It was offered originally as a coupe, but this year saw the addition of a roadster body style. Key Features From the 7-speed dual clutch to...
The Best Used Cars to Buy If You're a Skier
When When summer ends, skiers start thinking about hitting the hills, and that means having to contend with winter driving conditions. Not just any vehicle is going to get the job done. We have evaluated several used ski-worthy vehicles, and...
How Long Does a Brake Rotor/Disc Last?
Bringing Bringing your car to a stop is a vital part of staying safe while behind the wheel. Most car owners fail to realize just how many components have to work together in order for the braking system to work....