How to Fix Car Brakes That Make a Scraping Sound

Brake pads are designed to squeal under normal conditions when the pad material reaches a certain thickness. This squealing means it is time to replace the brake pads and perform periodic maintenance on the brake system. When the brake pads are not replaced when needed, the pad material will eventually wear away completely, and there will be a scraping noise whenever the brakes are applied. This noise is produced from metal on metal contact from the brake pad backing material with the metal rotor. This noise means you will also have to replace the rotors along with the brake pads.

Instructions

1

Break loose the lug nuts with a lug wrench but do not completely remove them at this time.

2

Raise the front end of the car with a floor jack until the front wheels are off the ground. Place jack stands under the frame rail to support the weight of the vehicle. Lower the car onto the jack stands with the jack.

3

Remove the lug nuts with a lug wrench and pull the tire away from the car.

4

Unscrew the two caliper bolts with a socket and ratchet set then remove the caliper. Support the caliper by hanging it on a piece of wire from the coil spring.

5

Remove the two mounting bolts from the caliper mounting bracket with the socket and ratchet set. Pull the rotor away from the wheel hub and discard it.

6

Spray both sides of the new rotor with brake cleaner and place it onto the wheel hub assembly.

7

Install the caliper mounting bracket by tightening the bracket bolts with the socket and ratchet.

8

Remove what is left of the worn brake pads and discard them. Compress the caliper piston back into the caliper with a brake pad spreader.

9

Place the new brake pads into the caliper and slide the caliper back into position. Install the two caliper mounting bolts with the socket and ratchet.

10

Remount the wheel onto the wheel hub and hand-tighten all of the lug nuts. Repeat Steps 5 through 11 for the other side of the vehicle.

11

Raise the car off the jack stands with the floor jack and remove the jack stands from under the vehicle. Lower the vehicle to the ground and torque the lug nuts to the manufacturer's specifications with a torque wrench.

12

Start the engine and pump the brakes until they feel firm.