Crunching noise

[brsexton]

YEAH....I am at 16k miles and I have brake problems :pissed: ...Whats new???? Everytime I come to a stop, I hear a crunching/popping noise coming from the left front brake. I am sure its the caliper because I took everything apart and checked and cleaned it with no fix. The brakes still look fine, but its sounds really bad. I noticed it REALLY BAD when I went through a drive through. I know other people on here have had this exact problem. Does anyone know if this indeed the caliper or something else?

[brsexton]

Well I called and got an apt. Tuesday to get it looked at. I can't wait to see what it is.

[havik]

Your brakes could be warped slighty, but then you'd notice some shaking while stopping. :unsure:

[nightrider]

i have the same problem my front is doin the same noise but i know its not the pads warped cuz i just had changed them befor the noise started but ow my trac light comes on andthen it will shut off my traction and the anti-lock light comes on i dont know if this has anythin to do with the brake problem bu if anyone know wut this problem could be please help thanks and let me know wut u find out at the garage thanks

[Baracuda96]

hmmm... i thought it could very well be a brake issue - my rotors have been warped a couple times... but then the noise issue you were talking about... my car was not really noisy when this happened to me... not really sure what it could be if you have plenty of pad left.

The only other noise i've ever had from the front end was when my struts were going... or the strut plates...

[`2000redalero]

Had the same problem, I could hear it when stopping at lights or even sometimes when driving past walls...same problems with trouble lights turning on, then gone next time I looked, it's just a loose caliper that's rubbing somewhere.

Easy fix.

Took it to my dealer and he just squeezed me in. In all the whole deal took like half an hour.


P.S. no racing and braking hard... :P

[nightrider]

so it could be just the caliper isnt tightened all the way. the 2 bolts behind the rotor? if thats all it is ill be happy

[`2000redalero]

yep

[aLeRogrL21]

I actually just took mine to the dealership last friday to get that checked out because I didn't like the noise and thought something was wrong. They checked it and said that it was normal and told me that I need to get new brakes put on for an extra $250.00+tax and maybe the noise would go away...sounds odd, huh?

My 2002 has 40,600 some odd miles on her too.

[brsexton]

Well I took my car to the dealer and they replaced the rotors and brake pads. They said the inboard brake pads were worn down to almost the squeal sensors. And the rotors were pitted and scored beyond repair. They did tell me they didn't use GM pads due to on going issues with them. They said the ones they used were much thicker and should last longer than the OEM pads. OH WELL...the brakes seem much more responsive and the noise is gone for now. Only time will tell.

[aLeRogrL21]

Really...they told me that they would put the regular stock ones on again. I was like I don't want to replace them like every 30,000 miles, that's just poop!!

[brsexton]

Originally posted by aLeRogrL21@Jan 14 2004, 01:02 PM
I was like I don't want to replace them like every 30,000 miles, that's just poop!!
HA...I wish mine would have made it until 30,000. My car only has 16,300 miles on it and I am not a hard driver. My last car which was a Mazda Protege, the pads on it lasted until 45,000 miles. Although it did have rotor problems. I just don't understand how a 1 year old car would have to have brake pads that soon.

[aLeRogrL21]

Yeah, my 2000 Ford escort ZX2, I didn't have to replace the brakes at all and it had almost 65,000 miles on her...those were stock brakes and rotors too--all brand new because i bought the car brand new.

I just can't believe that these pads and rotors don't last very long and around 10-15,000 miles they went and resurfaced the rotors on the alero. I would rather spend maybe the same amount for a set of aftermarket pads and rotors that would last much longer and give me less problems.

[King Asoka]

i have an appointment with my garage on friday. I plan to replace the front rotors and pads. I have some reybestos pads and slotted rotors. and we will tighten the ebrake, so ill find out where you do it.

ill let you know what else we find wrong with the brakes...