I recently slide off the rode into a sandy dirt ditch, which got all down my right side of my civic. since then when I brake it sounds & feels like i dont have any pads(grinding metal). I know its just sand but will it eventually wear off or do i have to replace my pads?

I checked the pads last night, still got plenty of pad left.

 

First try and spray a good amount of brake parts cleaner all over (just dont get too direct/concentrated on the pads) and see if that helps. But there is a chance that you dislodged or 'hurt' something else(maybe the pads/retainers), just check everything else out, take off the wheel and look and feel around and see if anything is out of place. Hope it helps

 

on the pads directly? or on the disc and spin the wheel so it gets it on the pads?

they appear to be correctly installed still, but a large amount of sand was in the wheels. it squeaks when im not even pressing the brakes.

 

i would just pull the pads off and see if there is alot of sand in there. its a pretty easy job, so its better to be safe and clean all that sand out.

 

Also feel the rotors for roughness, if there is you need to have them turned and replace the pads. DO NOT REUSE THE PADS!!!!