Brakes squealing and grinding

PEGLIGHTS

MEMBER
2014 TOYOTA RAV4
40,000 MILES

I recently had a 30,000 mile checkup on my car (late, I know). I was told that my front brakes are at a 4 back and 8. So I realize my front brakes are close to needing attention. I don't drive my car a lot but noticed during a trip I took from Boise to SLC that the brakes were squeaking and grinding when I was driving around town. I made a note to have it checked when I returned but when I got home, the noise was gone. Once again, I don't do a lot of driving, but recently had house guests and when driving them around, noticed the brakes were squeaking again. Didn't have time to address it right then but noticed after I filled up my gas tank, the brakes stopped grinding. In looking back; I have only heard the sound when my gas tank is really low. Does this make sense? Could it be something other than my brakes?

3 Replies

KASEKENNY

MECHANIC
18,907 POSTS

The fact that you tend to hear when the gas is low doesn't make sense as they clearly don't have anything to do with each other. So I would think this is more of a coincidence then it being related.

As for the noise, I suspect this is possible one of two things. First there is some dirt or contamination on the pads or rotors that you are hearing make a grinding noise or it s the wear indicators on the pads that start to make a little noise as you get close to needing replacement pads. If you are only hearing the noise when you press the brakes then that is what I suspect. If it were me, I would let it go until you are ready to replace the front pads and rotors or if it gets worse.

Here is a guide that will help with most common grinding noises. Let me know if it does this when pressing the brakes only and we can go from there. Thanks

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/vehicle-grinding-noise