2019-12-04 16:37:23
https://www.aamcocolorado.com/my-car-is-making-a-grinding-noise/ Repearing Engine 07

MY CAR IS MAKING A GRINDING NOISE

What Is Causing a Grinding Noise in My Car?

The most common causes of grinding noises in automobiles are worn-out brakes, a faulty CV joint, or transmission issues. It’s important to note that, whichever component is causing the grinding noise, it needs immediate repair. The following are common causes of grinding noise in automobiles.

1. Faulty Brakes

2. Faulty CV Joint

3. Transmission Issues

There’s a Disturbance In the Force

Your vehicle is an orchestra of sounds and movement. From the roar it makes when the ignition is turned, to the tune it produces when you switch it off. It’s easy to detect what car sounds are normal and what sounds are out of the ordinary. That is why a grinding noise is perhaps one of the most disconcerting noises you can expect to hear from your vehicle. 

Strange noises from your vehicle are your car’s way of telling you something is wrong and needs immediate attention. Grinding noises are often associated with rotating parts and systems, therefore, the moment you notice your vehicle making a grinding noise, don’t wait for the symptoms to get worse, have your car checked immediately before it turns into a big problem.

What Is Causing a Grinding Noise in My Car?

The most common causes of grinding noises in automobiles are worn-out brakes, a faulty CV joint, or transmission issues. It’s important to note that, whichever component is causing the grinding noise, it needs immediate repair. The following are common causes of grinding noise in automobiles.

Faulty Brakes

Worn out brakes will produce a squealing noise when the brake pedal is depressed. However, if you’ve continually been ignoring your squealing brakes and they go silent, the next symptom will be a grinding noise. At this point, the last remaining parts of your brake pads have worn off, and the metal backing plate is in contact with your brake disc, the result is a pronounced grinding noise. When this happens, your ability to brake will be significantly affected.

image of a mechanic changing a brakepad

image of a car cv joint in a vice clamp

Faulty CV Joint

If you notice a rumbling or clicking noise on your front-wheel-drive vehicle while making a tight turn, it could be a symptom of a faulty CV joint (Constant Velocity Joint). The CV joint is what helps the front wheels of your vehicle receive power and turn. When it is worn out or faulty, it produces a rumbling or grinding noise when the vehicle makes a tight left or right turn.

Transmission Issues

This is true any time of the year, but especially so in the winter months. A little bit of car advice can go a long way when the weather gets bad and you’ll want to avoid more costly brake repair services. You should pay attention to how worn your brake pads and rotors are, as well as listening out for any strange sounds that indicate a problem with your brakes. It’s important to stay on top of any necessary brake repairs as they come up, otherwise you risk expensive car repair fees.

image of a handful of grinded down transmission parts

My Car Is Making a Grinding Noise, What Should I Do?

Hearing a grinding noise can be the cause of worry for any vehicle owner, but don’t panic. A grinding sound from your vehicle is indicative of a faulty component — unfortunately, its quite difficult to determine the source of your grinding noise by just looking at it. Checking in with a qualified and professional mechanic is the fastest way of determining the source of your vehicle’s grinding noise. Due to years of experience and training, a professional mechanic will be able to determine the potential problems of grinding sounds from your vehicle.

Grinding Noise, What Should I Listen For?

While your mechanic will have a good sense of what might be causing the grinding noise in your vehicle, it is also useful if you know how to identify these issues on your own to give you a basic idea of what the problem as you plan to visit an auto service center.

Step 1:

Turn on ignition and listen if grinding starts right away or when the engine is running.

Step 2:

Pop up your hood and use your owner’s manual to locate your alternator, water pump, or power steering pump. Place one side of the hose in your ear, and the other on the component. With the hose in your ear, try to listen if any of these components are the source of the grinding noise. If the noise is from any of these, have them replaced or repaired.

Step 3:

Test drive your vehicle: Driving down the road, depress your vehicle’s brake pedal gently. If you can hear a grinding noise as you press in on your brakes, the brake pads could be worn out. Have your mechanic check your brake pads for thickness and have them replaced.

Step 4:

If your brake pads are not the source of grinding, try making a tight left or right turn driving down the road. If grinding worsens during a turn, your vehicle might have a faulty wheel bearing or CV joint. A faulty wheel bearing is a huge safety concern that needs to be checked immediately by a qualified mechanic.

Step 5:

If the grinding noise doesn’t worsen while making a tight turn, try changing gears driving down the road. If you can hear a grinding noise changing gears, then your vehicle needs a clutch replacement or adjustment. It could also mean that your vehicle has a transmission issue. Have your transmission system checked immediately by a professional mechanic at your local bay area repair service center.

Remember, having your vehicle checked early could save you from the cost of a complete component overhaul. Often times, vehicle noises are a sign of the early stages of a terminal car problem — Check-In at your nearest local AAMCO Colorado auto repair center for a complete system checkup.