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All Symptoms

Grinding noise when braking

Serious - act right away

metal grinding brakes · scraping sound when I brake

Symptom description

A harsh, metallic grinding or scraping sound that happens specifically when you press the brake pedal, often worse at low speed.

Common causes

  • Brake pads worn down to the metal backing plate (most common cause)
  • Worn-out wear indicator making contact with the rotor
  • A small stone or debris caught between the pad and rotor
  • Warped or heavily corroded brake rotor

What to check

Look at the brake pad thickness through the wheel spokes if possible - less than 3mm of pad material is a red flag. A workshop can check this in minutes with the wheel off.

Can you keep driving?

Not recommended. Metal-on-metal grinding means you may already be damaging the rotor, and stopping distance is compromised. Get it checked before your next drive if possible.

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Find a repair shop

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Descriptions are for guidance only and do not replace a workshop inspection. If you are ever unsure whether it is safe to keep driving, pull over in a safe spot.

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