Brake pad question?

[eclipsed123]

Today I was driving and when I came to a stop I could hear a slight scrubbing/grinding. It sounded like it was coming from the passenger side rear of the car. I've replaced the front pads recently but never the rear since I've owned the car. I always assumed that the rear brakes were just for the emergency brake. Is this the case or do your rear brakes/rotors wear just as the fronts do? Also I have a new set of brake pads that I purchased recently for the front could I use the pads on the rear or are they completely different? The car is a 97 eagle talon tsi fwd.

 

[VETTE_50_TH]

They are probably starting to seize like mine did. Check and see if the rotor is warped, if so replace. It could be the shoe for the hand brake is locked up and needs adjusted. If not, replace the caliper. The pads are completely different.

 

[SpawnedX]

Your moving brakes and your emergency brakes are two different things. The first is pads, the second is shoes inside the hat of the rotor.

Be easier if we could hear the sound.

 

[Speed_RacerGSX]

Yes your rear brakes are there to stop your car. They are not just for decoration. Yes the pad do need to be replaced from time to time. Its called general maintenance. Pad thickness is generally checked as part of the 3k inspection during oil changes. Unless you're at Walmart or Jiffy Lube. (in which case you may as well stick a hand grenade in there). So take the rear wheels off and inspect the pads.
Squeaking= time to replace pads and resurface/replace rotors
Grinding = past the time to replace pads, now you are definitely buying new rotors

 

[VETTE_50_TH]

If its worse than grinding, part the car and find a new one.