There are a few possibilities.
The brake pads have worn down and there is now metal to metal contact with your brake disk/rotor

The driveshaft is worn

The wheel bearing has worn

A grinding noise - when braking - is usually associated with worn brake pads.

If the grinding noise is there while you drive without braking, it could be the brake pads/rotors, yes .. but it also may point to the wheel bearing or driveshaft itself.

You can raise the car, after removing the wheel, and look at the brake pads/rotor.

However, sir, if you can't do these mechanical things yourself, please do go to a workshop. The value of your life far outweighs the cost of repair

Oct 26, 2015 | Volvo Cars & Trucks

5 Answers

When i press on brakes i can hear a grinding noise coming from he front end, what could it be?

Brake pads are worn. That noise is the sound of the backing plate for the brake pads hitting the rotors. You will need to replace the pads and probablt the rotors. When the brakes go metal to metal like that it typically destroys the rotor.

Feb 21, 2011 | 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee

2 Answers

I have a noise from my brakes that has become more frequent and goes when i bake. This noise has now started when i brake. The noise is as if there is something in the brakes - like a piece of grit. There...

Take the wheels of and inspect your brake pads and rotors.It sounds like that your brake pads are down to metal. replace brake pads and brake rotors.

Jan 24, 2011 | Volvo V70 Cars & Trucks

2 Answers

My 1998 ford escort brake peddle started pulsing and then a noise. Checked fluid, not down any fluid, and no leeks, just feels like I can not stop well., No ABS lite til yesterday, then it came on after...

Normally a "pulsing" brake pedal means that that you have a warped brake rotor or the brake caliper is lose. I would start by taking the front wheel off and inspecting the brake pads and the rotor. If the brake pads are worn down bad replace them. Pay special attention to the brake rotors also as if the are grooved very bad, they should also be replaced.

Nov 15, 2010 | 1998 Ford Escort

1 Answer

I have a 2006 Volvo XC 90 and need brakes, I have been told that I will need to replace the rotors, is this true? and why?

Did they tell you why you need to replace the rotors? Sometimes you need to do this if you waited to long to change the brake pads and you have metal against mnetal and it warps the brake rotor. I would recommend going to get another company to look at the brakes to make sure that you are not being sold a bill of goods you don't need. I hope that this helps! I have the same car and have been driving Volvo's for years. Do you know when you changed out the front brakes last? That may help you some to know but if you do a lot of stop and go driving, you would need to change the brake pads more frequently. Usually the front brakes go sooner than the rear but I am not sure if this is true with awd. But this is my first awd too.

Jun 09, 2010 | 2004 Volvo XC90

1 Answer

I want to change the rear brake pads on a 1995 Volvo V70. They made a dreadful scraping noise and I think the pad has worn right through or disappeared

sounds like its to late..the scrapping noise is rotors or pads gouging the drums or rotor surface, both these can be repaired if within spec....take them off and to a repair shop and the tell you if they can be repaired.

Sep 29, 2009 | 1998 Volvo V70

1 Answer

Front brakes squeak

Pads may be acting as phonograph needles and "playing back" the cut pattern on the rotors. To eliminate this tendency most dealerships now use a DA sander on the rotor faces while the rotors are still turning on the lathe, to break the pattern, making it non directional. (I've been doing this on all vehicles since the 70's)
If this was not done, they will make noise. Sometimes sound deadening inserts can be placed behind pads or a liquid made for this purpose can be applied to backings. But, the first method is generally the best. Other than that, if the pads are not binding or wearing prematurely, there should be no noise.

May 20, 2009 | 1998 Volvo S70

1 Answer

Front brakes make noise when applied after installing new pads.

it could be because they are dirty. also the noise could be the back brakes. if its a squeaking noise it could be that they are dirty or that they are cheep brake pads and for the first couple of weeks they squeak. also when you got your breaks changed did the break shop cut the rotors because that cleans them up and makes the rotors like new.

Apr 28, 2009 | 2003 Suzuki Grand Vitara

1 Answer

Xc90...going to change front rotors myself...need some instruction

I am trying to change my volvo cx90 rotors and brakes. I have manage to get everything off xcept rotors, the rotors are hanging loose but its attached to some bolts which I cant get off, pls can you help with any ideas

Apr 18, 2009 | Volvo XC90 Cars & Trucks