Brake problems, I think?

Topic: Brake problems, I think? (Read 3683 times) previous topic - next topic

Brake problems, I think?

November 23, 2014, 11:25:00 PM

Hey there,

noticed a grinding coming from passenger front, took the wheel off there are no signs of any kind of wear on the rotors so i changed the wheel bearing compressed the piston and put the old brakes back on..... it still had a grinding noise when i was going slow so i took the wheel off and it looks like the rotor is maybe a little warped. I just ordered a pair of rotors and am hoping this fixes the issue but im not so sure. Meanwhile.... i was leaving work and i heard a loud clunk when i started backing up and all of a sudden its ten times worse... it sounded like my ler was dragging on the ground but its not. what the heck is going on? am i right to compress the caliper then simply stick the pads back on and apply pressure to the pedal??? so confused right now ill have bearings rotors and pads replaced by tomorow evening but something tells me theres another issue evading me.....

Brake problems, I think?

Reply #1 – November 23, 2014, 11:51:32 PM

Id guess wheel bearings by what you described. Does the noise only happen when you brake? Warped rotors shouldn't cause grinding.

If your wheel bearing is shot, your brakes won't work because only the caliper will be holding your wheel on.

Brake problems, I think?

Reply #2 – November 23, 2014, 11:57:08 PM

the brakes work and this noise was the same and only got worse since i changed the effected bearing which is strange.....

Brake problems, I think?

Reply #3 – November 24, 2014, 12:01:47 AM

this car is killing me man.....

Brake problems, I think?

Reply #4 – November 24, 2014, 07:13:59 AM

Do you hear the noise when you spin the wheel with the car up on jackstands? Sometimes when I have a noise that is tough to find, I'll have somebody drive the car past me while I am standing outside of it. Sometimes it can be easier to find rogue noises when you aren't in the car.

Brake problems, I think?

Reply #5 – November 24, 2014, 08:21:47 PM

i gotta figure it out

Brake problems, I think?

Reply #6 – November 24, 2014, 08:24:58 PM

i hear the noise on the jackstand but there is no indication as to where its coming from, rotors and pads are clean and smooth.

Brake problems, I think?

Reply #7 – November 24, 2014, 08:44:14 PM

Well, if you have the car up on jack stands, and you can spin one wheel by hand and hear the noise, start taking things off until it quits. Take the tire off, spin the rotor. Still got noise? Take the caliper off, spin the rotor, still got noise? Pull the rotor and look for a bad bearing (I know you said you just did them, but when you are down to just the rotor, that's about all that's left. Don't be offended by this question, but it has to be asked- you did grease-pack the new bearings didn't you?

Brake problems, I think?

Reply #8 – November 25, 2014, 01:44:10 AM

i greased them with my fingers. and now ive changed the rotors and put in yet another set of bearings. what is grease packing in comparison to spreading grease all over them with my fingers..... this sucks. it honestly sounds like the brakes are rubbing but i just put new pads rotors and bearings in

Brake problems, I think?

Reply #9 – November 25, 2014, 01:50:20 AM

Grinding means metal on metal. This will shine up whatever is rubbing against each other.

I've seen a balljoint start to fail from the bottom of the a-arm and hit the inside back of the rotor.

Brake problems, I think?

Reply #10 – November 25, 2014, 01:56:38 AM

thats kinda what i think is happening, but once again all parts have just been replaced!! im so frustrated

Brake problems, I think?

Reply #11 – November 25, 2014, 02:04:41 AM

YouTube video:

Fast forwards to 7:30 for repacking bearings.

Brake problems, I think?

Reply #12 – November 25, 2014, 02:34:20 AM

oh !!! i wonder if that is the problem..... does it screw the bearings up if i drive without the se a doo thing

Brake problems, I think?

Reply #13 – November 25, 2014, 08:47:33 AM

There's not much to the front ends on these cars. If you remove the tire and caliper and spin the rotor and still hear noise, It will most likely be bearings (unless you have a freak ball joint situation like haystack mentioned). You'd probably only have $20-$25 in a bearing/seal set, might as well throw them on. If you know you didn't pack the bearings correctly, you're gonna have to take them back out anyway. I hope the bearing race didn't get torn up in those new rotors (although if you just bought them, they might be under warranty).

Brake problems, I think?

Reply #14 – November 25, 2014, 05:01:31 PM

alright well i only drove the car down the street. I have now packed the bearings and need to drive to car to see whats happening, however when i put the new pads/rotors on i smelt burning the first time i took them out and the rotors had a bit of carbon on them as if something was burning. I hope it was maybe just some grease or some residue left after i cleaned the rotors. Ill take it out now and let you guys know whats up. Thanks for the help and sorry for the stupid questions ive never had this much trouble with basic maintenance