Symptoms drivers describe
- Harsh metallic grinding as you brake
- Vibration through the pedal or steering wheel
- A noise that changes or disappears when braking, then returns
- Score marks visible on the brake disc
Possible causes
- Brake pads worn down to the backing plate
- A seized caliper holding a pad against the disc
- A stone or debris trapped in the brake assembly
- A corroded or badly scored disc
- A worn wear-indicator contacting the disc by design
What you can do
- Stop driving where it is safe to do so
- Do not leave it in the hope it goes quiet again
- Call us on 07440 140340 — grinding pads usually take the discs with them
How we check it in the workshop
We remove the wheels, measure pad and disc thickness, check caliper and slider movement, and inspect for damage before advising what needs replacing.
Is it safe to keep driving?
Urgent. Braking performance may already be reduced and a pad-only job can quickly become pads, discs and a caliper.