[volvowna]

I have a minor problem with my S60 the dealer has looked at it a couple of times and says the brakes are fine, when I back out of my drive or a parking spot after the car has been sitting a while I get high pitched brake noise. I wonder if the pads are grabbing. The car does this consistently, there is no noise once I get going. The hand brake is released all the way. Any ideas, my wifes V70 does not do this only my S60 T5 M.

 

[Lisa62]

Hi. I've only been driving my S60 about five weeks, so it's not like I have a whole lot of sample points, but I did hear a squeal once about two weeks ago. It only occurred on my first brake application, after backing out of the driveway. I've never heard it again.

Mine's an automatic, 2.4 non-turbo base engine. I don't know if yours and mine have the same brake pads, but I chalked mine up to 'morning sickness / brake sqeal', and didn't worry about it. If I'm not mistaken, some brake pads do that -- it's just a function of the pad's composition and construction/shape, and how long it sat since you last drove it. I think humidity also plays a part (in the oxidation on your rotors, which is the cause for the noise when your pad contacts your rotor).

Sorry, I know this doesn't help you one iota from a "functional" standpoint, because you obviously want the noise to go away. I'm just trying to say that while it is an annoyance, I bet it's probably not a safety issue.

I didn't worry about mine because I have two relatives who drive/drove other cars with this "morning sickness" condition, so I know it's not unheard of. I know that some '95/'96 Altimas and '98 Rangers had this.

I think you did the right thing by bringing it up with your dealer, for what it's worth. Hopefully somebody with a little more knowledge on this topic will weigh in with their opinion... Until then, good luck.

 

[S.R.]

What your car is doing is called the 'Anti-Lock Braking System Self-Check'. Every time the ignition is turned on, the ABS computer conducts a series of self-checks. During this process and when you start moving (3-6 mph), the ABS actuator is energized, causing an audible 'noise' and minor brake pedal movement.

This is actually a safety test. The Anti-Lock Braking System is performing a self-check to ensure that the system is functioning properly. The sound and movement are normal. All ABS equipped cars do this, but each of them sound and feel different. On some cars it is very evident, while on others you can't even tell it is happening.

-Drew

 

[Lisa62]

Is your noise a "squeal" (like a pig), kind of a high-pitched whining noise like you sometimes hear when a train/subway comes to a stop?

Or is it a "scraping/rubbing" noise that sounds almost as if you ran into a paper grocery bag and scraped it along for a few feet (a "shuuuuct"). THIS noise is the ABS, as Drew said, and can be heard and felt through the pedal. I thought you heard a high-pitched squeal... ???

 

[volvowna]

It squeals like a pig ! in fact passengers have remarked on it. The dealer buys into the moisture theory, I will see if it goes away if we ever get a long enough dry spell...

 

[coladin]

quote:

Originally posted by InDy:
What your car is doing is called the 'Anti-Lock Braking System Self-Check'. Every time the ignition is turned on, the ABS computer conducts a series of self-checks. During this process and when you start moving (3-6 mph), the ABS actuator is energized, causing an audible 'noise' and minor brake pedal movement.

This is actually a safety test. The Anti-Lock Braking System is performing a self-check to ensure that the system is functioning properly. The sound and movement are normal. All ABS equipped cars do this, but each of them sound and feel different. On some cars it is very evident, while on others you can't even tell it is happening.

-Drew

So that's what that is!

 

[S.R.]

quote:

Originally posted by coladin:
So that's what that is!

Yup, but I think that volvowna might be having a different problem.

-Drew

 

[volvowna]

Took the car and had it serviced, asked them about the handbrake, they said it was drum, asked them to take a look at those regarding the squeal, they said that they were rusty and cleaned and re-lubricated the mechanism, I think that was the problem as the high pitched squeal hasn't happened since.

 

[GrecianVolvo]

quote:

Originally posted by InDy:
Yup, but I think that volvowna might be having a different problem.

-Drew

Drew,

that self-check noise from the ABS when you first hit about 15mph does not sound like a squeal but rather than a light scraping sound...

Yannis