At M & R Automotive of Menlo Park, CA, we know a grinding noise from your Lexus RX 350 during braking should never be ignored. While it’s true some brake noises stem from minor issues, a grinding sound when you step on the brake pedal is almost always a sign of wear or damage to the car’s the braking system.
Common Causes of Braking Noises
Worn brake pads are one of the most common causes of grinding noises when braking. The Lexus RX 350’s brake pads are made of a special friction material engineered to wear gradually over time. Eventually the pad material becomes too thin, allowing the metal backing plate to contact the brake rotor. When the metal rubs against metal, it makes a grinding sound anytime the brakes are applied.
Not only will this affect stopping performance, but there’s an increasing risk of serious damage to other brake components if left untreated. It doesn’t take long before the friction of metal-on-metal contact starts to damage the brake rotors. This could also cause grooves, brake system overheating and warped rotors, which need to be replaced before the car is safe to drive again.
Left unchecked the grinding noise of worn-out brake pads could start to damage the brake calipers. These clamps hold the brake pads and might start to wear directly on the surface of the rotors, causing severe damage. In a severe case the calipers could be compromised to the point where it causes a rupture in the brake line itself. This will release hydraulic brake fluid causing a total brake system failure.
When this happens the red brake warning light triggers on the dash. At this point, you must pull over immediately and get the car towed to our service center.
While it’s a rare problem for the Lexus RX 350, a sticking brake caliper could be an isolated cause of grinding noise when braking. In a case like this, a single caliper, usually in the front, fails to release properly. This leads to excessive heat, accelerated pad wear, and grinding noises when the backing plate contacts the rotors.
In a scenario where the brake caliper is stuck, you’ll often notice the Lexus RX 350 pulling to one side. If it’s a front caliper, you might also notice a strange vibration in the steering wheel.
Other Causes of Brake Grinding Noises
Sometimes simple road debris will get lodged in the braking system. Small rocks, bits of gravel, and little random pieces of metal might become trapped between a brake pad and the rotor creating a scraping or grinding sound.
In a case like this, you might hear a light rasping sound from one wheel while you’re driving down the road. Then when you step on the brakes it gets worse and starts to grind. You might even feel the car pull to one side then a strange vibration in the steering wheel.
While this issue may seem minor, debris could still easily score the surface of a rotor or badly damage a brake pad. So, it’s best to pull over, to have the car towed to our service center for a comprehensive brake system inspection.
If your Lexus RX 350 is making a grinding sound when braking, you need to have it inspected as soon as possible. Call M & R Automotive to schedule a brake inspection to determine the true cause, before more severe damage occurs.
