Horrible rubbing sound... (brakes)? - Honda Prelude Forum

Jordan_4WS · 05-02-2002, 03:46 PM

Sometimes when I am driving I will here this horrid, deep sound - almost like brakes rubbin, but very loud. Does anyone know if this could be the brakepad wear indicators? I read about them in the owners manual, and my brakes need to be changed (very low).

Thanks, Jordan

G_Loc · 05-02-2002, 04:03 PM

u hear this while braking? or just rubbing that appears out of no where while driving?

Jordan_4WS · 05-02-2002, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by G_Loc
u hear this while braking? or just rubbing that appears out of no where while driving?

Its occasionaly, maybe once a day. I will be cruising or slowing the car in gear (no breaks), and I will hear the sound. I cant explain it its kinda like the deap/loud sound that is made by Buses or big trucks when they brake. The first time I thought a branch or something was dragging, but nothing was.

Does anone know if this is the kind of sound that is my by the brake pads when they are low (that warning sound)?

-jordan

cantdrive55 · 05-02-2002, 04:13 PM

the wear indicators will make a high pitched squeel. You'll know it when you hear it. It sounds similar to the sound you hear from some disc brakes when people don't put the goo on them, except louder.

G_Loc · 05-02-2002, 04:15 PM

hmm, i know the sound ur talking about... i get that sound sometimes, but while braking... no clue what it is

cantdrive55 · 05-02-2002, 04:18 PM

Hmm...to me it sounds like it maybe a wheel bearing. Does it kinda sound like a huge boulder being dragged over some cement?

Jordan_4WS · 05-02-2002, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by cantdrive55
Hmm...to me it sounds like it maybe a wheel bearing. Does it kinda sound like a huge boulder being dragged over some cement?

Just sounds like supper huge truck or bus when they brake hard. Combination of that sound and the sound of a branch draggin on the bottom of your car.

-Jordan

cantdrive55 · 05-02-2002, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jordan_4WS

Just sounds like supper huge truck or bus when they brake hard. Combination of that sound and the sound of a branch draggin on the bottom of your car.

-Jordan

Kinda hard to diagnose without actually hearing it.

Kasino · 05-02-2002, 07:35 PM

i have a similar sound coming from the rear of my car, but mine does it constantly while im driving. my guess is its the rear axle bearing.. you need to get the whole hub assembly though, because for some reason honda put this whole piece together. it'll cost you probably anywhere from $120-$180 for the hub assembly. im changing mine sometime this week, so if it works ill let you know.

Jordan_4WS · 05-02-2002, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Kasino
i have a similar sound coming from the rear of my car, but mine does it constantly while im driving. my guess is its the rear axle bearing.. you need to get the whole hub assembly though, because for some reason honda put this whole piece together. it'll cost you probably anywhere from $120-$180 for the hub assembly. im changing mine sometime this week, so if it works ill let you know.

Keep us updated, Also take lots of pictures of the job if you have a Digi cam.

-jordan

caymen · 05-03-2002, 12:31 AM

It could be that your rotor is warped. dose you wheel shake when you brake?

Tola · 05-04-2002, 10:49 AM

I know the noise you're talking about. It happens to me sometimes too. When you're braking and even when you're not.

Your rear calipers are probably seized. It'll cause your pad to sit improperly. When you brake or drive, depending one the position of your pads, it will or will not make the noise. Take your calipers apart and make sure that the pins can be moved easily. Check the rubber on your piston. If you have some new pads, try putting them on and if the caliper does not fit over them EASILY, you need to replace your caliper. I could not fit new pads on my rear calipers when they were seized. I had to use one new pad and one used pad. My pads were worn at horrible angles. And made so much noise...

Jordan_4WS · 05-04-2002, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Tola
I know the noise you're talking about. It happens to me sometimes too. When you're braking and even when you're not.

Your rear calipers are probably seized. It'll cause your pad to sit improperly. When you brake or drive, depending one the position of your pads, it will or will not make the noise. Take your calipers apart and make sure that the pins can be moved easily. Check the rubber on your piston. If you have some new pads, try putting them on and if the caliper does not fit over them EASILY, you need to replace your caliper. I could not fit new pads on my rear calipers when they were seized. I had to use one new pad and one used pad. My pads were worn at horrible angles. And made so much noise...

That sound comes from the front of the car though... Could the front caliper be seized? Also how can I test if it is seized without removing the caliper? (I've never done brake work, dont know how to bleed brakes, etc.)

-Jordan

Tola · 05-04-2002, 11:03 AM

Oh it's from the front? I don't know then. The front calipers are really known to seize up. But the noise does sound brake related. There is no way to see if your calipers are seized without removing it, well except for weird noises. But the only way to be sure that it's the calipers is to take it off and inspect it. If you're not comfortable working on your brakes. Take it to a shop to just take a look at it. It should be little or no cost at all.

Jordan_4WS · 05-04-2002, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Tola
Oh it's from the front? I don't know then. The front calipers are really known to seize up. But the noise does sound brake related. There is no way to see if your calipers are seized without removing it, well except for weird noises. But the only way to be sure that it's the calipers is to take it off and inspect it. If you're not comfortable working on your brakes. Take it to a shop to just take a look at it. It should be little or no cost at all.

When you said "The front calipers are really known to seize up" Do you mean they rarely seize? Just want to check.

It actually sometimes comes from the front of the car, and sometimes comes from the rear. Usually I will be cruising or decelerating without brakes and then the sound will come. Ill stop and pull over, and once I come to a stop it will go away, and not come back for a while. Is this what happened to you? Im hoping its the calipers, and not something more substantial like the wheel bearings.

-Jordan

Tola · 05-04-2002, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jordan_4WS

When you said "The front calipers are really known to seize up" Do you mean they rarely seize? Just want to check.
-Jordan

Opps, I meant to say they AREN'T really known to seize up. It's the rears that have to problems. Sorry.

To be honest, my noise happens so randomly, I can't tell you if stopping then starting again got rid of the noise. I don't think it's the wheel bearing because when my wheel bearing was bad, it was thumping constantly. The faster I go, the faster the thumping is. I still think it's something with the brakes more than anything else. You will just have to check for yourself.

Jordan_4WS · 05-05-2002, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Tola

Opps, I meant to say they AREN'T really known to seize up. It's the rears that have to problems. Sorry.

To be honest, my noise happens so randomly, I can't tell you if stopping then starting again got rid of the noise. I don't think it's the wheel bearing because when my wheel bearing was bad, it was thumping constantly. The faster I go, the faster the thumping is. I still think it's something with the brakes more than anything else. You will just have to check for yourself.

Yesterday I was hearing it from the rear of the car. Unfortunately I was with a girl I dont know that well... "Whats that?"... She thought my car was gonna fall apart on the freeway or something

Im gonna have a shop take a look at the brakes.

-Jordan

cantdrive55 · 05-05-2002, 07:04 PM

Embarassing. I still think that it may be a wheel bearing going bad.

Jordan_4WS · 05-05-2002, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by cantdrive55
Embarassing. I still think that it may be a wheel bearing going bad.

How can I diagnose either, keeping in mind I dont have any knowledge/expirience with either and dont have a service manual (yet)?

BTW, I had a difference sound a few weeks back, and one shop said it was the wheel bearing (from this same side - rear passenger). However I went to a different mechanic, and it turned out the lug nuts were just loose - in tightening them the problem was fixed. This new sound is different.

-Jordan