What Causes Grooves on Brake Discs?
3 Answers
Brake discs develop grooves because small stones may get lodged between the brake pads and discs while driving. When braking, these stones can create grooves on the discs, which is a normal occurrence. If the grooves become too deep, the brake discs should either be removed and resurfaced or replaced entirely. Both brake discs and pads are wear-prone components in the braking system and require periodic replacement. A brake disc is a circular disc that rotates as the vehicle moves. When the brakes are applied, the brake calipers clamp onto the rotating disc to generate braking force, slowing or stopping the vehicle.
Last time I had my car serviced, I also encountered the issue of grooves on the brake discs. The mechanic told me it was mainly due to small stones or metal shavings getting stuck in the brake pads, which would scrape lines on the discs every time I braked. Additionally, driving for long periods in dusty areas can cause sand to get lodged in the braking system, leading to scratches. Another possibility is using poor-quality brake pads that contain hard impurities. Excessive grooves on the brake discs can affect braking performance, and it could be dangerous if the brakes fail in an emergency. I’ve found that regularly cleaning mud and sand from the wheel hubs, replacing brake pads with reliable quality, and checking the smoothness of the brake discs can prevent this issue. Safety is no small matter—if you notice a problem, take your car to a professional repair shop immediately.
My neighbor's car had deep grooves on the brake discs, and only after asking at the repair shop did they understand the cause. The mechanic said there are three common reasons: first, the brake pads wore thin, exposing the backing plate, causing metal to directly rub against metal; second, when replacing the brake pads, old metal debris wasn't cleaned properly and remained stuck in the gaps; third, the brake caliper got stuck, causing excessive pressure in a certain spot. They used professional equipment to test the disc's flatness and found it was uneven, so they replaced it with a new one. They advised us to regularly check the brake discs with a flashlight for any abnormalities, especially after long trips or driving through construction sites. Safety comes first, and replacing brake discs only costs a few hundred bucks.
