Q: Brakes noise
When I drive, I press the brake and I hear a scratching/scraping noise.
Recommended Services
| Brake Pads Replacement | $150.17 - $479.65 | Get a Quote |
A scratching or scraping noise when hitting the brakes is the first sign that your brakes are worn out and may have hit "metal to metal", meaning there is no brake pad left and you need new brake pads. A mechanic would listen to the noise and then remove all of the wheels to inspect the brake pads. If the brake pads are fine then the issue may actually be a loose brake pad or missing brake pad clip. Rear brakes that are not properly adjusted will also cause this.
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
What others are asking
Brake light won't go off
Hello! The brake light staying on can stem from something as simple as low brake fluid. However, on your particular vehicle the brake light will commonly come on due to a fault in the ABS system controller module. The module...
Belt pulley froze
Hi. First we have to determine which pulley seized. Idler pulley are present to route the belt around obstacles and to provide more belt contact on other parts. They are relatively inexpensive. If the power steering pump, alternator, or water...
Car is too low
The leveling system on your vehicle works much like filling balloons. When the sensors detect the car is too low, they turn on a pump that fills the bags with air to bring the car to the proper height. If...
Traction control alarm goes off, brakes grab sometimes
Hello there. A few different faults could cause the traction control system to alarm. The most common would be a wheel speed sensor (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/wheel-speed-sensor-replacement), wiring fault, or a failing traction control module. If you would like to have this checked,...
No compression on two cylinder
Hi there: Although it's impossible for me to know without inspecting the vehicle onsite, I'm not quite certain the compression issue is mechanical here. It's quite common after a head gasket change due to an overheating issue for the crankshaft...
Hi, I am hearing a very loud "rolling thunder" noise while driving that gets louder at higher speeds.. What could be the issue?
Hello. There are several components that will cause these noises when accelerating. Typically they are related to the exhaust system. You may be experiencing an exhaust leak for one option. This can occur when a hole has found its way...
I need a thermostat replaced do I need to replace the water pump as well
Typically, the scenario is the reverse: that is the water pump fails and the question is should the thermostat be replaced at the same time that the water pump is replaced. The answer is absolutely because the thermostat itself can...
Taurus won't engage any gears the column will still move through gears Fluid looks fine problem happened out of blue
Hello, thank you for writing in. Start by tightening up the linkage. You can even make adjustments to the linkage to compensate for wear. The transmission pan should be taken off and inspected. If there are any signs of mechanical...
When I start my car and put it in gear it moves on its on but when I press on the gas pedal it doesn't accelerate
It could be that you have a problem with the throttle motor. Gone are the days when the link between the pedal and the engine was a physical cable. The movement of the throttle valve is now done by a...
Related articles
How Long Do Brake Pads Last?
How How long can brake pads last? Brake pads last from 25,000 miles to 70,000 miles depending on their design and material. Brake pads are part of the braking system of every vehicle. Designed to handle high friction, when the...
Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Hydraulic Brake Booster
Common signs include less braking power, a brake pedal that is hard to press, and fluid leaks.
How to Replace a Vacuum Brake Booster Check Valve
Brakes are assisted by the vacuum brake booster check valve that fails when the brake pedal is hard to press, feels spongy, or does not work at all.
Browse other content
Maintenance
Services
Cities