Grinding noise under brake

[samguan]

I started hearing grinding noise under braking today and couldn't figure out what the problem is. Sounded like when you pull your handbrake, anyways, then I cleaned the rotor with a brake cleaner and the problem went away, is it time for a new rotor?

[Cbus mkv]

check your pads too

[VancouverGTI]

Was it shortly after you started driving for the day, after a moist day?

With the stock pads, I'd get some really gnarly sounds out of my brakes in that circumstance, as the pads scraped off the sheen of rust which quickly forms on our discs. It could've been that?

I've also heard of people getting pebbles or small rocks caught between their brake shields and the disc; I could see that being noisy.

Easiest thing to do for now is probably just watch and wait. If it doesn't happen again, maybe it was a rock. If it does, then yes... it might be time for brake servicing.

[samguan]

After applying some brake cleaner, the sound is totally gone today.

[adam62882]

The problem is probably your brakes. :)

If it went away after spraying it, it could've been something really small caught between the pad and the rotor. If you're feeling motivated, pull the caliper off and see how much meat you have left on your pads.

[samguan]

Ok, after two days, it came back again. Looks like either the brake or the rotor.

Time to order new ones

[adam62882]

Check your pads. They're likely just worn down to the plates. Also, you might not need new rotors. Sometimes you can get away with just pads. Either way, it's a pretty simple job. I think you need a set of triple squares to get the rears apart, though. Buy those from Amazon and save a few bucks.

[samguan]

Still tons of pad left, most likely the rotor. If I change the rotor only, maybe it was a bad pad and scratches up the brand new rotor again? Do you guys usually change both at the same time?

[samguan]

hi guys, I've uploaded a sound of the braking noise,

http://soundcloud.com/user723932756/brake-noise

please let me know what the problem is. Thanks alot! This is only during braking and brake cleaner solves the noise for a day.

[GTIRaider]

The only time the rotor's are bad is if they are warped or worn down to much to have them turned. Some pad's will make more noise then other just have to learn to live with it. Also as VancouverGTI pointed out any moisture is on the rotors the brakes tend to make that grinding noise.

It's again not required to change pads and rotors at the same time. If you don't change the rotors then you want to have them turned down to create a new surface for the pads.

The only other thing is proper bedding in of the pads if you install them new. If this was done wrong it could create poor braking or possibly extra noise.