I have had this car since oct 97. Right from the start my brakes have been grinding with a burning smell. I took it back and they said the brakes are near new and just need wearing in. Well, its been nearly 9 months and just recently is getting worse. How do I know if they bled the brakes? How can I do this myself? I had a 30 warranty with them(they did not fix the issue during this time) and I dont think its covered with the extended warranty either...apparently I do have a cam seal leak but this wouldnt have anything to do with the grinding or smell from the brakes.
Thanks!

which brakes are these coming from? front? rear?
you could have warped disc's
or the brake hasnt fully disengaged

It seems to be coming from the front. the grinding even occurs even if you gently brake.

My old KE's brakes started grinding one day.....machined the discs...$50...problem solved.

$50...I live in Cairns and Im pretty sure it will cost heaps more. Shouldnt the place where I bought it from picked this up in the first place? I was thinking that the brakes are dry and havent been bled.

if your brakes havent been bled the pedal will feel spongy and they wont work.
Its possible you have cheap crappy pads, your discs are warped, or they are worn out, allowing the backing okate to rub on your discs.

Most places will charge up to about $50 to machine the discs. Its not hard to take them off yourself.

Is that $50 per disc or for both if I were to do the front? I need to replace my pads and figured it would be cheaper to just replace the discs as well but after seeing that I'm not too sure.

$50 or less for both mate.

Put QFM pads on you will be amazed. QFM available from most brake repair centres.

Sounds like a combination of glased rotors as well as prro quality pads. If you are getting burning you may have seized calipers. YOu stated that you purchased the car in 97 and it has been doing this since?

I assuem you mean 07?

Have the calipers checked etc, personally I would go back to this yard, advise that the problem is still there, you gave them oppertunity to rectify the issue, they did not. You intend to have the problem checked by say ABS and they will then have a small claims against them for the costs as they have failed to honour the warranty. This may get them to stand up and fix this.

Also, make sure that everyone you know of what has happened and to keep well clear of this joint, word of mouth spreads faster than any advertising ever will.