Weird noise when braking lightly

[jarodrm5]

Alright, I'm having a weird issue and I can't seem to figure it out for the life of me. Whenever I am coming to a stop at a light or wherever, if I apply the brakes lightly, I get this weird crunching noise that correlates with the speed I am going, and it gets slower as I slow down. If I apply the brakes hard, however, the noise isn't there at all. I don't hear the noise when I am cruising or anything, only when I apply the brakes lightly.

Any ideas? The noise has been driving me nuts!

Please let me know if I can provide any more information for ya - thanks!

 

[eagle_talon90]

Have you checked the brake pads to see if they are alright? I know they normally make a squeaking noise when they are going out, but i don't really know what else would cause it, unless there is something scraping against the tire or rotor or something?

 

[Maranello993]

how worn are the pads? Also, is the noise constant or does it pulse?

 

[jarodrm5]

how worn are the pads? Also, is the noise constant or does it pulse?

The noise pulses, it is a rotational noise, if that makes sense, like there is a certain point on the rotation where it makes the noise each rotation. The pads and rotor look OK, which is why I am so confused. I will pop them off and double check again just to make sure, but I just wanted to see if anybody else had any ideas before I did that. It is coming from the front left of the car.

 

[Maranello993]

A lot of times when a rotor needs to be turned you can't see it. You need to turn the rotor, it doesn't make the noise under hard braking because the pressure overcomes the slight warping.

 

[Racer609]

yo i got dat same problem son!

 

[Maranello993]

Sounds like its a warped rotor. When you get hard on the brakes does the brake pressure pulse any?

 

[thatblondechik]

Can we please try to use correct grammar Racer609?

I have NO idea why it would make a noise like that...kind of odd. But double check those pads, and to be safe, I'd have the rotors turned.

 

[Maranello993]

If it were my car I would replace the pads if there was anything suspect on them at all, and like I said, I would turn the rotor.

 

[jarodrm5]

Sounds good guys! I will actually just go ahead and replace the pads and rotors - I can get a set of both pretty cheap, and it will give me something to do this weekend. Thanks a lot! After I do this, I will also post and let you know if it solved my problem. Thanks again!

 

[crimsondragon]

I also have the same problem. My guess is a loose caliper. I've been driving like it since last Oct though. Nothing major happened although sometimes when braking the car does lean to the right.

 

[Maranello993]

Before you go out and buy everything take off the wheel and check for play in everything. Just expect to have to turn or replace your rotors and/or replace the pads. If that doesn't fix it you'll have good new brakes anyway, but make sure to post those results.

 

[1stGenTSi]

If the pads and rotors you can get for "cheap" are from autozone then I wouldn't get them. Cheap rotors are going to warp quickly.

 

[Maranello993]

Yea, buy cheap now replace soon. If you're gonna replace it you might as well upgrade it, that's what I do...

 

[crimsondragon]

Just to clear the air on these "cheap" rotors.
http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/art...reviews/248216-napa-slotted-front-rotors.html

 

[Maranello993]

Nice, as soon as I recover from my recent upgrade buying spree and after I buy DSMLink, I will definitely buy those rotors. (For the price of the pads I bought)