Metal-on-metal grinding when you brake means your brake pads have worn completely through—the steel backing plate is now contacting your rotors directly. Every stop you make is cutting grooves deeper into the rotor surface, turning what would have been a straightforward pad replacement into a pad-and-rotor job. A stuck brake caliper can produce the same grinding even on a pad with material remaining, because it keeps one pad pressed against the rotor continuously. Either way, grinding brakes need same-day attention: braking performance is compromised and the damage accumulates with every mile driven.
Metal-on-metal grinding means we'll assess rotor condition carefully alongside the pads—scoring from the contact often means the rotors can't be reused. We also inspect caliper function and brake hardware as part of the job, and road-test every brake repair before the car leaves the shop to make sure everything is working properly. Learn more about our Brake Repair & Service service.
From diagnosis to repair, we keep you informed every step of the way.
Call or text us to describe what you're experiencing.
Bring your vehicle in for a thorough inspection.
We explain what we found and quote before any work begins.
Experienced technicians complete the repair with quality parts.
We test drive and verify the repair before returning your car.
Metal-on-metal grinding means your brake pads have worn completely through—the steel backing plate is now contacting the rotor directly. This is also what happens when a caliper seizes and keeps a pad pressed against the rotor continuously. Either way, the rotors are being damaged with every stop.
You shouldn't. Grinding brakes have reduced stopping power and are destroying your rotors with every mile driven. What starts as a $300 brake job becomes $600–$800 when rotors are scored too deeply to resurface. Get them inspected immediately.
Not always—it depends on how long the metal contact has been occurring. If caught quickly, rotors can sometimes be resurfaced. Once deep grooves are cut in, replacement is the only option. We measure rotor thickness and surface condition to make the right call.
These are the most common reasons drivers experience this symptom.
The metal backing plate is grinding directly against the rotor, cutting grooves with every stop.
A seized caliper piston or slide pin keeps the pad pressed against the rotor continuously.
Deep existing grooves in the rotor surface create a grinding sensation even with pads present.
Not sure if this is your issue? Browse other common problems we fix.
Contact Scott's Auto and Clutch today for honest service and expert repairs.
144 W Crystal Ave, South Salt Lake, UT 84115