What happens when you drive with virtually no brake pad left?

Question

My brake pads have been going bad, and being the procrastinator I am, I have put off fixing them. Suddenly, they got extremely bad. They grind very hard and loud, and I'm not sure that there's anything left to grind...may be just grinding on metal. My bro is going to fix it this weekend, but I'm scared to drive the 70 miles there. Financially, I don't really have a choice, however.

I already intend to replace the rotors, so I know how much it's gonna be.

Answer 1

You drive just fine. It's the stop problem that you have that's gonna git ya'. You can go the 70 miles, and still be fairly safe by doing the following:

If it's an automatic tranny, downshift with the shifter before (Long before!) you thing you will need the brakes. (Don't donwshift too quick! If it's an older car you could do some tranny damage. Check the owners manual for recommended speeds in each gear.)

Manual tranny, Same thing. But a bit safer.

Take side streets instead of the hiway. If you have to take a major road, then leave lots of following distance. Stay in the right lane so you can head for the shoulder if you must.

Don't drive in the rain! Also remember that you have an emergency brake/parking brake. Don't use that UNLESS you absolulutly have to do it, and only if you are sure of what the car will do when you pull it up.

If you HAVE TO use the emergency brake, and you have the lever type, keep your finger on the lock button, when you pull it up. And put it down if the car does something strange. Then get back on the regular brakes.

The rotors are probably fried anyway, so you can't really do much more damage. Just make sure that you don't get the brakes so hot that you ruin the wheel bearings. More dough! Good luck. Ciao!

Answer 2

Usually what we find with brakes that wear down to the point where they are grinding metal to metal, yes, you will most likely need to replace the brake pads and rotors. However, if you let the go for too long, you can over extend the piston that is in the brake caliper. When this happens, you can get lucky and push the piston back in. If you are not lucky, it will push out past the seal and leak; when this happens, we wind up replacing the caliper for safety reasons. On some vehicles, if the brake pads wear out completely and the rotors wear down far enough, the pad can be kicked out of the brake system and the caliper piston will rub against the rotor. When this happens, you could lose braking ability as well as ruin the caliper. I have seen this on many Ford pick-ups. Since you didn't specify what kind of vehicle you have, I cannot tell if this will be a problem. Good luck and be careful. As far as driving to your brother's house, I would not recommend it.

Answer 3

Once the pads go (when you first start hearing/feeling the faint grinding/shuddering) then you start damaging the rotors. If you have reached a point where the sound is really bad, you probably need new rotors (which will double or triple the cost of the repair). Essentially, your braking system is broken because two major components are severely damaged (pads & rotors). You really need to NOT DRIVE THAT CAR, or you are putting yourself at serious risk.

Answer 4

Doug's right. When you hear metal-to-metal, you've waited too long. And the front brakes are 60% of your stopping capability. Your rotors, more than likely, are screwed. So, instead of the $30 (if that much) it would cost for your brother to replace the pads, it's gonna cost probably 7 to 10 times that amount, IF your rotors can be turned. If not, price some new rotors. If your bro can't do that himself, well, shop time $$$$$$$$$$$$.

Answer 5

If they are making a screeching noise, you have probably worn out the brake pads completely and the metal from the brake pad leftovers are grinding into your rotors.... which is a hell of a lot more expensive to fix. When he takes your wheels off, if the round thing on the car that holds the wheels on has circular indentations all over it, that means your rotors are ruined. You are going to need to buy new rotors as well, otherwise, your brakes really don't have anything to catch onto, which is just as dangerous as driving with little to no brake pads.

Sorry if I'm freaking you out, but it's the harsh truth. If I were you, I'd rent a car to get your bro, bring him to your place to fix the brakes, return the rental car, and drive him back in your newly-fixed car.

Good luck to you.

Answer 6

I'd get them changed THIS WEEK before you destroy your discs! The lower the brake pads get, the more chance there is that they'll start breaking up, and then it's metal against metal. Also, the more heat is generated when you break because there is less pad for it to dissipate from. You could do a million miles as they are if you never use them, or about 100 miles at most of normal town driving, or about 1 lap of the Nurburgring (12 miles of hard driving) if that! A heavy car like yours, I would risk the trip to the parts shop to pick up the pads (and a Haynes if you don't have one) and then get them fitted that evening (do it yourself, it's easy!)

Answer 7

If you hear grinding, you have already waited too long, and you have the metal backing of what used to be brake pads eating into your rotors (if disc brakes) or drums (if not) ruining them. If you stop driving now, you may get by with just turning the rotors or drums. Continue to drive, and they will need to be replaced, and they are expensive. Your choice. (You might want to consider the cost of the increase in your insurance and the cost of the tow after the accident into your calculations also.)

Answer 8

Dear Wendy H.

I have good news for you. And I also have some bad news for you.

Absolutley nothing will happen to you while you are driving to meet your boyfriend who has promised to fix those brakes for you. As long as you are driving - safely...

The Bad News is that something really tragic might happen to you when you go to slow down or stop your automobile. You may not be able to slow down or stop,
like for a turning auto in front of you, or for some little kid crossing the street without looking, or when you approach a Stop Sign, or Red Light that is Red or Yellow... Gosh only knows if there will be any secret wings on your auto to fly you out of a sure disaster.

I would recommend that you let your boyfriend come to your place to do the work for fear of having an accident on the way. Your other option is to leave way sooner than normal to get to your B/F's house and only drive 10 MPH all the way to this house. It will take you 7 hours at that speed.

Answer 9

if your driving over 40mph you will not be able to stop.The pads wear out then the metal wears off then the metal grinds into the brake caliper then NO BRAKES AT ALL.If you hit someone and they get injured you can be arrested for assault with a deadly weapon.This is true and has happen,because you willing drove a car that has defective BRAKES,so don't drive it have it repaired now before you damage the calipers,which cost in the $100.00 just for the calipers.

You don't want to hurt yourself or anyone else so don't drive it.Have your brother come to your house and repair it,if he's a good brother he will come to your rescue.If I were your brother I know I would.

Answer 10

What happens when you virtually have no brake pads??? ...... You virtually have no brakes.

The griding sound you hear is metal on metal. The brake pad is gone and your rubbing what little is left with the rotors. Expect this to cost a lot more that a pair of brake pads now.