How do I know if my brakes are actually worn without taking the wheels off?
Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2026 7:07 am
I'm not handy enough to jack the car up and inspect pads myself, so I'm looking for ways to tell if my brakes are getting low just from driving. The car stops fine but the pedal feels a bit different than it used to and I've noticed a faint grinding sound once or twice when braking hard. I came across a worn brake warning signs explained article that listed a few things to listen and feel for, which was helpful, but I want to know how accurate those signs really are. Is a grinding noise always metal on metal or could it be something caught in there? And does the pedal feel change gradually or suddenly when pads get low?