Persistent but intermittent grinding brake problem

adobela · 03-26-2009, 04:15 PM

My car has around 23K miles (2007) and has a brake problem which has not been resolved with 3 trips to repair shops. My brakes have made a weird squeal/grindy type noise, usually when I first start driving, for several months. The first time I took my car in the guys at the shop said there was nothing wrong. (Well they said it might be the rotors but then they forgot I was there so I left after 2 hours without getting anything done; they said the pads looked new though.) A couple of months later I went to a different shop and they said there was 70% wear on the front pads, they replaced them and re-surfaced the rotors.

A month later, the brakes are still doing the same thing. It's weird, they don't do it all the time. I had the guys check it out and of course they said nothing is wrong but when it happens, it sounds VERY wrong. It sounds as if the car is literally grinding to a halt. I don't see any other similar comments on this site... so maybe I really am just a loon. If anyone has any helpful suggestions, I'd appreciate it. So far I have not gone to a dealer, but maybe I should. ??

Carbon · 03-26-2009, 04:33 PM

I would check to see if one of the brakes is not releasing. Compare the temperatures of the rotors after a few miles of that noise. I suggest a wet Q-tip to see if one sizzles, or if the water just evaporates. You are looking for a significant difference that might occur if one caliper was not releasing properly.

Don't burn yourself.

Zeoth · 03-26-2009, 04:34 PM

I was going to say you may have a gouge in the rotor from a contaminant (usually a rock) stuck between the pads and the rotor but since you said it was machined with new pads, not so sure anymore.

RAV4Don · 03-26-2009, 04:41 PM

"My brakes have made a weird squeal/grindy type noise, usually when I first start driving, "

Well, if the shops you visited were competent, you may just be experiencing the normal noise assoicated with the slight surface rust on the rotors when you first use the brakes after the vehicle sat over night. You may hear this noise on about any vehicle when you are, say just starting out in the morning as you leave your driveway and brake for the first time. It should go away after you use your brakes a few times.

nobull1 · 03-26-2009, 06:33 PM

Mine makes that same noise when first using the brakes after sitting overnight. I don't like it and will mention it when I go for service , but I bet it is just the nature of the beast. Funny though my 02 never made a noise in 7 years and the only difference was it had shoes on the back.

ferretwoman · 03-27-2009, 12:28 PM

Mine make the grinding sound every morning when I back out of the driveway for the first time of the day. Both my RAV's did this. I just figured it was normal.

Linda

RAV4Don · 03-27-2009, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ferretwoman

I just figured it was normal.

If it what most report, then, yes, it is normal and not a problem to be concerned about. There have been several discusions about this on the forum.

Carbon · 03-27-2009, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RAV4Don

"My brakes have made a weird squeal/grindy type noise, usually when I first start driving, "

Well, if the shops you visited were competent, you may just be experiencing the normal noise assoicated with the slight surface rust on the rotors when you first use the brakes after the vehicle sat over night. You may hear this noise on about any vehicle when you are, say just starting out in the morning as you leave your driveway and brake for the first time. It should go away after you use your brakes a few times.

I wouldn't use the word "squeal" to describe that sound. "Grindy" seems apt.

Captain M · 03-27-2009, 01:04 PM

Sounds like the normal rust formation that occurs overnight like others have been stating. Do you live in moist or humid area?

Diego · 03-27-2009, 01:12 PM

There have been several other threads on this exact thing. My 2008 Rav does this exact same thing. And your mechanic is right: it is completely normal.

Like Captain said previously, when water/moisture get on your breaks a very thin layer of rust will form overnight. Then, on your first use of the break (sometimes also on the second) you'll hear that rust getting 'sanded' off.

Again, this is completely normal, non-damaging, and nothing to be worried about.

03-26-2009, 04:15 PM	#1 (permalink)
adobela Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: NM Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Persistent but intermittent grinding brake problem My car has around 23K miles (2007) and has a brake problem which has not been resolved with 3 trips to repair shops. My brakes have made a weird squeal/grindy type noise, usually when I first start driving, for several months. The first time I took my car in the guys at the shop said there was nothing wrong. (Well they said it might be the rotors but then they forgot I was there so I left after 2 hours without getting anything done; they said the pads looked new though.) A couple of months later I went to a different shop and they said there was 70% wear on the front pads, they replaced them and re-surfaced the rotors. A month later, the brakes are still doing the same thing. It's weird, they don't do it all the time. I had the guys check it out and of course they said nothing is wrong but when it happens, it sounds VERY wrong. It sounds as if the car is literally grinding to a halt. I don't see any other similar comments on this site... so maybe I really am just a loon. If anyone has any helpful suggestions, I'd appreciate it. So far I have not gone to a dealer, but maybe I should. ?? __________________ Laura

03-26-2009, 04:34 PM	#3 (permalink)
Zeoth Advanced Member Country: Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 4,540 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I was going to say you may have a gouge in the rotor from a contaminant (usually a rock) stuck between the pads and the rotor but since you said it was machined with new pads, not so sure anymore. __________________ Cars, snowboarding, house modding.

03-26-2009, 04:41 PM	#4 (permalink)
RAV4Don Advanced Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: rural IL Posts: 2,420 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Re: Persistent but intermittent grinding brake problem "My brakes have made a weird squeal/grindy type noise, usually when I first start driving, " Well, if the shops you visited were competent, you may just be experiencing the normal noise assoicated with the slight surface rust on the rotors when you first use the brakes after the vehicle sat over night. You may hear this noise on about any vehicle when you are, say just starting out in the morning as you leave your driveway and brake for the first time. It should go away after you use your brakes a few times. __________________ 08 RAV4 Limited AWD V6 05 RAV4 S FWD 5spd -traded for 08 99 RX300 2012 Corvette ZR1 90 454 SS truck 425rwtq

03-26-2009, 06:33 PM	#5 (permalink)
nobull1 Member Country: Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 89 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Mine makes that same noise when first using the brakes after sitting overnight. I don't like it and will mention it when I go for service , but I bet it is just the nature of the beast. Funny though my 02 never made a noise in 7 years and the only difference was it had shoes on the back. __________________ 2012 Rav4 Base Black Forest Pearl New 02/12 sold ? 2009 Rav4 Base Pyrite Mica New 11/08 sold 02/12 2002 Rav4 Base Blue Mica New 07/02 sold 11/08 "Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life"

03-27-2009, 01:04 PM	#9 (permalink)
Captain M Advanced Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Eastern Shore of Maryland Posts: 954 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Sounds like the normal rust formation that occurs overnight like others have been stating. Do you live in moist or humid area? __________________ Got a little Captain in ya?....aaarrrggghhh

03-26-2009, 04:33 PM	#2 (permalink)
Carbon Advanced Member Country: Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: NE Illinois Posts: 3,890 Thanks: 6 Thanked 136 Times in 133 Posts Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I would check to see if one of the brakes is not releasing. Compare the temperatures of the rotors after a few miles of that noise. I suggest a wet Q-tip to see if one sizzles, or if the water just evaporates. You are looking for a significant difference that might occur if one caliper was not releasing properly. Don't burn yourself.

03-27-2009, 12:28 PM	#6 (permalink)
ferretwoman Member Country: Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Charlestown, MD Posts: 185 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Mine make the grinding sound every morning when I back out of the driveway for the first time of the day. Both my RAV's did this. I just figured it was normal. Linda

03-27-2009, 01:12 PM	#10 (permalink)
Diego Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 11 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Feedback Score: 0 reviews	rust There have been several other threads on this exact thing. My 2008 Rav does this exact same thing. And your mechanic is right: it is completely normal. Like Captain said previously, when water/moisture get on your breaks a very thin layer of rust will form overnight. Then, on your first use of the break (sometimes also on the second) you'll hear that rust getting 'sanded' off. Again, this is completely normal, non-damaging, and nothing to be worried about.

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