Brakes Grinding

I know nothing about cars whatsoever. I'm sure this has been talked about before but im going to ask anyway. I have a 2002 grand am and two days ago all of the sudden whenever i brake it makes a horrible grinding noise. it seems to happen more during stop and go traffic. I dont know what to do. any help is greatly appreciated.

You could have a sticky caliper / boot component. Or you could have warped rotors - you're best bet, if you don't know much about cars would be to take it into a brakes place and have them diagnose it for you - it'd be much easier.

by the way, welcome to the forum

Or you just need new brake pads...

If your steering wheel vibrates when you brake, then it could be warped rotors, but by the sound of it, you may need to replace your pads and/or rotors.

Quick check re the pads, pull the wheels, and look at both pads for their thickness. The pads are attached to a metal backing plate, and if ya see plate, no pad, replace pads. View the pads from the top of the brake caliper attached to the brake rotor.

Run your fingers around both the inner and outer surface of the brake rotor itself, if ya feel grooves, the rotor is bad.

Check out www.autozone.com for diagrams of the brakes, that will help ya see what I mean.

Hey thanks for the reply. I just wanted to check here before i walked into a brake place so i would have some idea if i was getting screwed or whatever.

np, glad to help

I've replaced more rotors and shoes/pads on this car than I have on any other car I've owned. It's almost like routine maintenance.

When my pads are starting to wear down they will grind too. Seems I have to change my pads every 4 months or so.

martina, have your rotors checked for "true". If they are warped, you'll go thru pads really fast.

Hey there,

I have the same horrible grinding sound when I brake in my 2001 Grand Am GTI. Also, when creeping the car sounds like something is rubbing in the front end. Any suggestions of what might be causing this and what the potential fix and cost might be? Just wondering what steps I need to take

Thanks!