Brake Check

[NJCOBRA10tha]

After 1 week of ownership my brother had a little fender bender

He said that driving into NYC the car in front stopped short last second. His reaction time was good but the pedal went all the way to the floor and the car didn't stop well.

He feels that there might be something wrong with the brakes or maybe they just weren't broken in yet (<200 miles on odomoter). I think it wasn't the break in, that shouldn't explain the pedal going to the floor just the lousy braking.

Any thoughts?

Pictures if you want - just ask.

[joey]

I live in a residential area where there are speed bumps on some nearby streets to keep people from speeding. I have to slow down to about 25mph when driving over the speed bumps. I usually am braking hard just prior to the speed bumps. I often hear some very strange rattling/rumbling noises coming from the front brakes when I am braking for these speed bumps.
I have noticed the sound one or two other times when braking hard for stop lights, but no other times.
I havn't noticed any brake fade or pedal to the floor, as you are describing.
I will be having my brakes checked when I bring my car in for its first oil change.
My problem doesn't seem similar to yours, but I thought I would mention my mystery brake sounds.

[mileshoover]

joey, the noise you describe sounds like the Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) functioning as it should on "panic" type stops (breaking hard). The brake pedal most likely will "pulse" somewhat also, but not always as the system tries to prevent lockup. It is discussed fully on pps 225-226 of your owner's manual.

Never hurts to have your brakes checked, especially if your ABS light remains on after its usual start check period.

[LWOOD]

I have only had one time whre I needed to panic stop in 10,000 miles of driving my C. The pedal DID go farther to the floor than I liked, but pressure remained, I stuck with the break and the car stopped like I threw an anvil out the back end.There was very little front dive and no direction change. It felt weird, but it was effective. Did your brother back off at the last second because of the strange feel?

[joey]

Originally Posted by mileshoover

joey, the noise you describe sounds like the Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) functioning as it should on "panic" type stops (breaking hard). The brake pedal most likely will "pulse" somewhat also, but not always as the system tries to prevent lockup. It is discussed fully on pps 225-226 of your owner's manual.

Never hurts to have your brakes checked, especially if your ABS light remains on after its usual start check period.

Trying not to hijack this thread.
You may be right about the ABS. Not really sure.
Why I didn't think of ABS was because the noise all came from the front wheels, none from the back. And the noise sounded strange, almost like metal rubbing on metal.
On my Pontiac Bonneville SSEI, when the anti locks would engage you could feel/hear all four wheels rumbling with a muffled sound. Also, I could really feel the Pontiac ABS feedback in the brake pedal. I don't recall getting any ABS feedback in the brake pedal on my C.
I am not really concerned, but will have the brakes checked just to be sure.

[flt505]

I have noticed what I call a "scrunching" sound when applying the brakes harder than normal. Not a panic stop, ABS would not kick in on this type of stop, not standing on the pedal, no pulsing of brake pedal, just this unexpected sound.

[flt505]

One other thing on brakes. If any one else has experienced this please post.
This happened only once. Seems like I had my brakes applied with a steady pressure, with pedal in a steady position as I was stopping, then I felt the pedal suddenly give a little and depress a little more, braking was steady but the slight give and additional depress was noticed. As I said only once, but it was yesterday. Anyone else?

[lgret13]

Originally Posted by flt505

One other thing on brakes. If any one else has experienced this please post.
This happened only once. Seems like I had my brakes applied with a steady pressure, with pedal in a steady position as I was stopping, then I felt the pedal suddenly give a little and depress a little more, braking was steady but the slight give and additional depress was noticed. As I said only once, but it was yesterday. Anyone else?

i have noticed this several times its exactly the way you describe it steady pressure and then it gives a little. Particulary i noticed it when you have steady pressure while you slowing down very gradually, i am going to bring this up to my service department at my next oil change.

[james jefferson]

no unusual sounds here, stops quickly and dead straight (build date 5/3/04).

[jcsganga34]

I've got the same click when coming to a stop. You feel this slight click and then the pedal depresses smoothly there afterward. I had started another thread about this earlier bacK. The problem is intermittent for me though. I am bringing the car in for a small amount of minor annoyances on Thursday(this being one of them). I'll let you know what I find out after then.