the front tires has locked up and thier is a loud grinding sound like brakes rubbing together, what is this?

Sounds like a caliper has either come off or dug in to rotor so deep it locked it up. But wait, if it's locked up when does it make the grinding sound?

Wait, I need to go look and see if you have disc brakes on that '97//or do you know? Drum on front?

OK you do have front disc and rear drum..did you not hear any screeching in the past few weeks or months??. It has a little tab on the caliper that is supposed to warn you that you need brakes, have you neglected them? And yes, you have it correct, that grinding that you describe I would say 99.9% chance that is exactly what it is

DavidH25, they are still putting noisers on there so you don't wear you discs to shreds and tells you to tend to your pads (if you aren't deaf)~

the mini has wear on it's discs, while the pads don't wear much...it has a 2mm shoulder and is nearing replacement...think this may be unique to MINI~

Now that is something I never heard of before, a rotor wearing out from ordinary use before the pad does. Yep Judge (hey what happened to Beans?) that is what I meant by little tabs..YO Bonnie?? we can help you if you answer us..please? with sugar on top?

Bonnie? yoohoo...

Rotors usually last for two pad changes. Grinding sounds on a older car could be caused by a bad caliper puck that won't retract. Another, more rare cause is a collapsed rubber brake hose. The hose acts like a check valve and the puck stays out.

An easy way to determine if a caliper is locked up is to touch the wheels after a drive. A locked brake will make that wheel hotter than the other brakes.

screeching? can't hear nothing over the loud music. Some people's kids I tell ya~

I might be too late to help "Bonnie" the illiterate monkey, but seriously you idiotic amateurs all know absolutely NOTHING about brakes or vehicle repair and it is quite obvious by your completely moronic comments/answers! A"Screeching" noise does NOT mean "worn pads or worn rotors" AT ALL! And just because you locked up the brakes does NOT mean that there is anything wrong at each wheel and that is most likely NOT the problem! IF the pads, rotors and all brake components at each wheel are all fine, than it is most likely a screwed up Axle or ABS module, which of course would need to be replaced, I HAVE seen a few Axle's and ABS modules bust after brakes had been locked up, so much for anti lock brake modules stopping brake lock! But be warned, modules are VERY overpriced, it's a scam, but that's what out corrupt Gov. allows these corporate conglomerates to do to us, the public! A part which costs only about $5 to produce should NEVER cost $700 to $1200, which is the typical range for most ABS modules, but since you vehicle "needs" it, and they know it, they will continually and happily rip us all off!! @Tenspeed, you ARE a total IDIOT and you just proved that you know NOTHING about vehicles and should NEVER comment nor give ANY advice on ANY website!-So just run along and go play Roblox, girlfriend! Your advice is so retardedly illiterate and unprofessional! NOBODY should EVER touch hot brake components, rims (wheels) or tires, unless they WANT to get a nice burn and lose some skin off their fingertips!!