grind feeling in brake pedal only?

This might be normal; can you tell if the ABS brake system is kicking in? Do you feel the vibration on your foot that is on the brake pedal? You might have an ABS wheel speed sensor or bearing hub that is going out which can activate the ABS system due to a false data stream. This is why you don't have an ABS light on because the system thinks it is operating normally. If you upload a short video of the problem, I can tell for sure what's going on, you can do so in your response. Can you tell me if it happens more when you are in a turn right or left? If the noise is coming from the front wheel I would check the caliper mounting bolts which can be left loose and now have fallen out allowing the bake caliper to contact the rim. I would use a flashlight to inspect through the rim to see if this is the case, it should be very noticeable from side to side. Check out the images (below). Please upload pictures or videos in your response to any problems so we can see what to help you with.