The vehicle travels too far before coming to a stop in city traffic: your brakes need adjusting or you need new brake linings. Your brakes make a grinding noise that you can feel in the pedal: Grinding brakes are caused by excessively worn brake linings; when the lining wears off, the metal part of the brake pad or brake shoe contacts the brake disc or drum and can quickly ruin the most expensive mechanical parts of the brake system. Your brakes squeal when you stop fairly short: Squealing can occur when the brake linings are worn and need replacement. The vehicle pulls to one side when you brake: On vehicles with front disc brakes, a stuck caliper and brake fluid leak can cause this problem.