Brakes

Brake pads worn down to metal

Once brake pads wear through their friction material completely, the metal backing plate contacts the rotor directly, causing loud grinding, reduced stopping power, and rapid rotor damage.

Difficulty
Moderate
Time
1–3 hours for repair
DIY cost
$60–$250
Pro cost
$250–$700

Symptoms

  • Loud grinding or scraping noise when braking, or even while driving
  • Significantly reduced braking performance
  • Possible deep grooves visible on the rotor

Likely causes

  • CommonPads not replaced in time despite wear warnings (noise, dashboard light)Once a squeal warning is ignored long enough, pads eventually wear through completely.
  • PossibleFaster-than-expected wear from a dragging caliperCan cause pads to wear through much sooner than the mileage would suggest.
  • Less commonAggressive driving style with frequent hard brakingCan accelerate wear significantly compared to gentler driving.

What to do

  1. Stop driving the car as soon as it's safely possible, since stopping power is significantly reduced.
  2. Avoid highway speeds and try to get to a repair shop or have the car towed.
  3. Have pads replaced immediately; do not delay further once metal-on-metal contact is confirmed.
  4. Have the rotor inspected and very likely replaced, since it's usually damaged by this point.
  5. Ask the shop to check the caliper for a stuck condition that might have caused unusually fast wear.
  6. Consider setting a reminder to check pad thickness more regularly in the future to avoid reaching this point again.

Tools and parts

Brake padsSearch: “brake pads for your car make and model”
Brake rotorsSearch: “brake rotors for your car make and model”

When to call a pro

See a mechanic promptly for pad and rotor replacement; continuing to drive on worn-through pads increases both cost and safety risk.

Safety

Use caution

Metal-on-metal braking significantly reduces stopping power; avoid highway driving and get this repaired as soon as possible.

Related guides

Operator provides AI-generated troubleshooting information. It can be wrong. For safety-critical, electrical, gas, structural, medical, automotive safety, or other high-risk problems, consult a qualified professional.