If you’ve ever wondered why your brakes are grinding, why your car pulls to one side, or if noisy brakes mean something dangerous — you’re not alone. At King’s Auto Repair in Reading, PA, we get these kinds of questions every day from local drivers.

In this article, we’ll answer the most common brake-related questions — including noises, vibrations, and how your brakes are inspected in Pennsylvania. Whether you’re researching before your next service or trying to understand a new problem, this guide is here to help.

Are Brakes Checked During Pennsylvania State Inspection?

Yes. Brake systems are thoroughly checked during a PA State Safety Inspection. Here’s what technicians look for:

  • Brake pad and shoe thickness: If they’re worn below the minimum standard 2/23 for bonded brakes and 1/32 for riveted brakes, your car will fail inspection.
  • Rotors and drums: We check for excessive wear, rust, cracks, or scoring. If the scoring is too deep they will need to be replaced.
  • Brake hoses and lines: Looked over for leaks, corrosion, or damage. Rust on metal brake likes is okay until they start leaking
  • Brake function: Your vehicle must stop safely and evenly. It can not pull to the left or right during braking

Even if your brakes pass inspection, we may recommend servicing if they’re getting close to the wear limit.

Why Are My Brakes Grinding After New Pads and Rotors?

If you just had brakes repaired or serviced and you're hearing grinding, it can be either normal or a sign something was missed:

Normal (briefly):

  • Some new pads and rotors make slight noise while they “bed in” during the first 50–200 miles. This typically sounds like a light grinding or scraping and goes away on its own.

Not normal:

  • Rust or debris caught between the pad and rotor
  • Caliper pins not cleaned or lubricated
  • Incorrect pad or shim fitment
  • Pad backing plate touching the rotor
  • The brake pads are installed backwards with the pad backing plate against the rotor

If the grinding doesn’t go away within a few days, or if it gets worse, it’s worth having it rechecked.

Can Brakes Cause Vibration or Shaking at High Speeds?

Yes — especially during braking on the highway or downhill. Common causes include:

  • Warped rotors: Excess heat or improper torque on lug nuts can warp rotors and cause pulsing
  • Uneven pad deposits: If new pads weren’t properly bedded in or overheated, they can leave patchy material on the rotor
  • Worn suspension components: Control arms, bushings, or tie rods can exaggerate the shaking

If your steering wheel or brake pedal shakes during braking, have it inspected right away — it may be unsafe at higher speeds.

Brake Noise & Vibration FAQs

These are actual phrases we’ve seen in searches — here’s what they might mean and how we fix them:

My brakes are making a scratching noise

Scratching noises can happen when:

  • Rust builds up on rotors after a car sits (especially overnight or in wet weather). This rust is often harmless and wears off after a few brake applications.
  • Brake pads are worn too low, exposing the wear indicator or backing plate.
  • Backing plates are bent or rubbing against the rotor — a common issue after recent suspension or brake work.

We often see this on vehicles where someone has changed parts and slightly bent the dust shield.

My brakes grind sometimes

Intermittent grinding is often related to:

  • Light surface rust on the rotors, especially if the car has been sitting in the rain or humidity.
  • Pads not sliding freely in the caliper bracket — often due to rust or incorrect shims.
  • Poor-quality pads or pads not matched to the rotor material.

We can usually identify the cause quickly during a brake inspection. If it only happens once in a while and especially after sitting, it’s often harmless — but persistent grinding should be checked.

My car pulls left or right when braking

This is typically caused by:

  • A stuck caliper on one side, which clamps harder than the other.
  • A collapsed brake hose, restricting fluid flow.
  • Uneven brake pad wear, often from calipers not sliding evenly.
  • An issue on the opposite side — if the right brake isn’t doing its job, the car will pull left, and vice versa.

We check both sides during diagnostics to make sure everything is working evenly.

My brakes make a scraping sound

Scraping sounds may come from:

  • Backing plate rubbing the rotor (often bent accidentally)
  • Brake shims that don’t fit properly — this happens more often than you’d expect with aftermarket parts
  • Pads worn to the backing plate, creating a harsh metal-on-metal sound

At King’s Auto Repair, we often see cases where the wrong shim size was installed, causing the pad to move or bind in the bracket. It’s a detail that can make a big difference.

Why do my brakes shudder?

Brake shudder usually feels like a vibration in the pedal or steering wheel and is often caused by:

  • Warped rotors
  • Uneven pad deposits
  • Loose wheel bearings or worn suspension components

This issue tends to get worse over time and can affect braking performance. It’s best to have it inspected before it leads to further wear.

How We Handle Brake Repairs in Reading, PA

When you bring your vehicle to King’s Auto Repair for brake service, we go beyond just replacing parts. Our team performs a full digital inspection, so you can see exactly what’s going on — with photos and video.

We take the time to:

  • Clean and lubricate all caliper contact points
  • Inspect and Install shims that actually fit
  • Torque your wheels to the manufacturer's specs
  • Test drive the car and verify the repair

And most brake repairs are done same-day.

Brake Issues? Let’s Fix It Before It Gets Worse

If your brakes are noisy, shaky, or just don’t feel right — don’t wait. Some issues are minor and easy to fix if caught early, while others can lead to expensive repairs down the road.

Call us today or book an appointment online. We’ll give you answers, not just repairs.

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