HELP - non car guy w/ a question about brakes

[chachi73]

my left rear rotor has a groove in the middle and there is an odd grinding noise when applying brakes. I think i have debris between rotor and pad. Can anyone tell me the easiest way to clear debris from between the rotor and pad without disassemby....I'm not very car savvy.

This is a recent thing and haven't done anything with brakes or tire etc...just seems like a pebble or other debris??????

I appreciate any help on this.

john

 

[iChokePeople]

Why do you think it's debris, and not a worn pad?

 

[ReSSurrected]

Highly doubt it's any kind of debris, since it would be nearly impossible for anything to get between the pad and the rotor in the first place. Sounds like the pads are shot, but that's an interweb diagnosis, take it for what it's worth.

 

[Westside]

Start by removing the tire and and checking for anything that would be obviously doesn't look in place.

I am with ichokepeople I would bet worn pad before debris. if you are not a cary savy person I would suggest taking to a shop or having a knowledge friend go through the brakes with you.

 

[iChokePeople]

^^ this. But IANAM.

 

[Zero_ek]

I work on cars for a living. I'd say take the wheel off. Take a screwdriver or small prybar and try and pry the piston back to make some space between the pad and rotor. Then spray some brake clean down in there and see what that does. I rarely see something in between the pad and rotor to make a groove like that unless your pads are worn super low.

 

[joslar15]

Sounds like a worn pad and a rivet is scoring the rotor.

 

[Lucas156]

You need to change your brake pads like yesterday dude! That grinding sound is your brake pad worn down to the metal. If you let it go too long(which you may already have) you may need new rotors.

 

[Suprtek]

Yup, new pads and rotors are in your future.

 

[danielocean03]

Yup, new pads and rotors are in your future.

 

[Benny]

Sounds like a worn pad and a rivet is scoring the rotor.

Yep, I think there is [STRIKE]no[/STRIKE] little question about it.

 

[Suprtek]

It really doesn't matter if there is something caught in there or not. If its scored deep enough for you to easily see it from a distance, the rotor and pads will need to be replaced regardless.

 

[chachi73]

Thanks all for the advice

 

[Sgood]

Sounds like a worn pad and a rivet is scoring the rotor.

willing to bet, that is the culprit!!

 

[85t5mcss]

Curious as to what u found. Debris is unlikely. Brakes that are too thin is probably the culprit. But it's not as simple as slapping new pads in like most people think. If u do it, do it right. Turn the rotors or replace them is highly recommended, but at a minimum clean and relube the slides to prevent any problems again. Slides let the caliper move back and forth centering it over the rotor. No sliding, then the brakes will drag and chew up 1 of the pads. What I'm getting at is don't get too skimpy on brakes. Thats what keeps you safest after all.

So, whatcha find?

 

[jbombelli]

For sure you need brakes done. New pads and probably a new rotor too by now. That grinding sound you hear is the sound you get when your pads are too thin and the rivets / backing plate are grinding on the rotor, resulting in gouging like you see.


I spent the years 1985-1994 working in garages, doing alignments and brakes for much of that time.

 

[A_Brit_In_Indy]

I'm not sure what kind of car you have or where you got the brakes, But as a tech I would say your problem is cheap brake pads, semi-metallic pads have a high concentrate of brass/copper/bronze mixed in with the pad material, this is used primarily to dissipate heat and stop "brake fade"
If the groove is in the rotor it is more than likely a unmelted piece of steel in the rotor, I see this a lot with the cheap chinese pads and rotors out there.
Either way get yourself some new pads and rotors.. Don't skimp on this, buy the best you can afford, remember the stopping distance between excellent and good brake pads is about 30 feet.
Ceramic pads are great as they do not suffer "brake fade" and remember to check the brake hoses for cracks or soft lines and change the brake fluid every 2 years regardless of mileage.
Hope this helped