Grinding noise after installing new brake pads and rotors
A deep, concrete-rubbing grinding noise can develop after a brake job because a slow-releasing caliper takes too long to unfreeze from the pads. This delay causes mysterious grooves to form on the new rotors and pads, creating abnormal friction every time you brake.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
- 1rechecking installation
- 2inspecting components manually
- 3checking for trapped rocks or gravel
- 4trying to give it a once over
- 5checking the dust shield on the rotors
- 6checking and replacing worn control arm bushings
- 7inspecting for a loose sway bar link
- 8checking motor mounts
- 9removing and reinstalling brake pads
- 10cleaning hardware and components
- 11cleaning and re-greasing caliper slide pins
- 12only lubing the caliper pins and avoiding greasing the pads and clips to prevent attracting dirt
- 13Checking if the dust shield behind the rotor was bent during repair
- 14Securing the rotor with wheel studs when testing spin noise
- 15Replacing parts repeatedly like the CV axle, caliper, caliper bracket, and pads
- 16Buying new parts from local auto parts stores to try and fix the alignment issue
- 17Replacing pads and rotors simultaneously
- 18Returning to the repair shop to have them checked again.
In their words
Unedited, most upvoted first, each linked to the thread it came from.
“Originally I needed a bearing done, got that knocked out and put it all back together and then my front passenger side wouldn’t move. I had to really give a lot of gas to get the damn car to move. Then comes to a grinding halt. I replaced cv axle, caliper, caliper bracket and pads and still doing it. Only to find out last night that my rotor is GRINDING against my caliper bracket (see pic). It screwed my new rotor up.”source ↗
“I just need some advice because I am so stumped if these new parts don’t work that I’m going to get from autozone today.”source ↗
“On the way home after the alignment, I heard a faint grinding from the brakes.”source ↗
“About 3 weeks ago, I recently installed new rotors and brake pads as the old ones were warped and making vibrations when braking at high speeds.”source ↗
“Everything was fine until today when I started hearing sounds similar to concrete rubbing against concrete, but a deeper sound every time I brake.”source ↗
“And when I start driving again, it happens for a split second and stops, like it's taking the Caliper longer than usual to unqueeeze from the brake pads.”source ↗
“Did a brake job today on a 2023 Chevy Silverado, and found mysterious grooves on the rotor earth and pads.”source ↗
“Vibrating while braking at high speeds even with new pads on front and rear.”source ↗
“Then today, completely out of nowhere, a loud squealing/grinding noise started from the rear on one side. Wasn't gradual, it just appeared suddenly mid-drive.”source ↗
“A few months ago I replaced my front pads/rotors, and bled all 4 calipers. Now for some reason my brakes are making a rubbery squeek sound.”source ↗
“Hello , I got my care breaks fixed at Mr.Lube end of August , after two weeks I can hear then squeaking.”source ↗
“Went back and it’s been a week and still hear the squeaky sound when I break!”source ↗
“Everything else feels fine, driving straight is mostly fine (occasional chug), but when I make left turns, I get this chugging sound.”source ↗
“when I hard break I get hard knock sound almost as the momentum of the suv is push foward and is hitting something. Any idea what could it be , no noice when turning , no squeaking im lost”source ↗
“the front brakes started making an extremely loud screech under light braking, usually while slowing from around 20 mph to a stop.”source ↗
“the screech still eventually comes back.”source ↗
“I’m trying to figure out whether I’m dealing with the pads/hardware causing severe brake squeal or whether I should be looking at something like a sticking caliper.”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
- 2Why is my car suspension popping after replacing struts and springs?
- 17Why are my brakes squeaking and shaking the floorboard?
- 2Why do brakes still fail after replacing calipers and bleeding?
- 2Manual transmission still making noise after fluid top off
- 3Brake parts missing or falling off after service
- 3Why is my steering wheel making noise when turning?