Ok, this has been the case for almost two years (and 40K+ miles) now but it started getting worse so I’m having it looked at when I find the time. I would like to know what this could be so that I have a rough idea when going to the mechanic.
Car: 2000 Chrysler Sebring Convertible JXi, Automatic Transmission, Power Steering
Problem: If when driving I brake gently and come to a stop there is no problem whatsoever. However, if I brake even little more than gently (not like slam on the breaks, just a firm push) and come to a stop, a weird noise starts and keeps going for a few minutes afterwards. The noise sounds like something that’s rotating but grinding a little, and I can feel the steering wheel vibrate a little. It doesn’t sound like a slipping belt, but more like a muffled coffee grinder noise. Steering left or right becomes slightly harder (just slightly) and it makes the noise louder and change in pitch when I steer. The noise subsides and goes away after a few minutes. The harder I brake the longer the noise persists and the louder it is.
Another, possibly unrelated symptom, is that my brakes are starting to squeal really loudly when braking slightly but I’ve had the brake pads/rotors changed less than 10K miles ago.
Any ideas? I’ve run some theories in my head about intake manifold, belts, fluids, transmission but I can’t think of anything that makes sense, but then I’m not really car savvy.
Have you had the brakes inspected lately? I’m guessing you need new pads and rotors at a minimum from the sound of things. I know you did it 10k miles ago, just wondering if it was done wrong.
Ever since the elimination of asbestos in brake pads, squeal has been a problem. Cheap pads tend to do it worse, and some times not having a shim between the pad and the caliper can cause the problem as well.
Is your car front wheel drive? I had a front wheel drive car where the tie rod (or similar) was loose and it would make that sound when I stopped. Not a particularly safe situation so I’d recommend getting it looked at as soon as you can.
No no, this has been consistent car behavior for 40K+ miles and through 2 brake pad/rotor changes in different places. It’s just getting louder now. Besides, the sound persists with the brakes not applied afterwards at any speed.
Power steering pump is my next guess. Checked the power steering fluid? Not sure how symptoms could be initiated by stopping, unless the stopping motion moves fluid to one end of the reservoir out of reach of the pump. But that system will certainly growl when it’s not working right.
Just a hunch here - the brake calipers may be hanging up and not retracting when you release pressure on the pedal, leaving the pads in contact with the rotors. This will make your pads wear out really fast, and even thought it’s only been 10,000 miles, you might already have the backing plates against the rotors.
Was the work done at a brake shop, or was it a driveway job? If the latter, my bet is that whoever did the work didn’t clean and lube the parts that need cleaning and lubing - a common oversight. Another possibility is that something’s causing pressure to be retained in the system - this could be anything from a bad caliper or kinked brake line on up to a bad master cylinder or ABS unit.
That would be the case if the noise only happened when in motion. This one happens when in motion or at rest, and does not really vary with applying or not applying the brakes. I seriously doubt it’s anywhere in the brake system.
First time the brakes/rotors were changed by my mechanic the other time at Midas. I’m liking the power steering fluid theory. Maybe I’m just really low, I’ll check tonight.