Why Is My Car Making a Grinding Noise When I Brake? Bilston

What Causes Grinding Brakes?

Grinding when you brake usually means your brake pads are worn through to the metal backing. The metal pad holder is now grinding directly against the metal disc — this is both unsafe and damaging. You may also hear grinding if a stone has lodged between the pad and disc, or if the caliper is seized and forcing the pad to drag.

At Millfields Auto Services in Bilston, we measure brake pad thickness and inspect discs to confirm the cause before quoting work.

Worn Pads — The Most Common Reason

Brake pads are wear items. They thin gradually until they reach the wear indicator — a metal tab designed to make a noise to alert you. If you hear grinding instead of squealing, the pads are already gone. Driving with metal-on-metal contact reduces stopping power and damages the disc, making repairs more expensive.

Stone Ingress or Seized Caliper

Sometimes a stone gets caught between the pad and disc, causing grinding on part of the pad surface. This usually stops after a few brake applications as the stone is expelled. If grinding continues, the caliper may be sticking — the piston is not retracting fully, so one pad is dragging. This needs checking and potentially replacing.

Do Not Ignore It — Get Your Brakes Checked Now

Grinding brakes mean reduced stopping power and worsening damage to your discs. The longer you drive like this, the higher the repair bill. Call us on 01902 492116 and book a brake inspection. We will measure the pads, check disc condition, and quote the work upfront. Many grinding brake jobs can be done the same day in Bilston.