Grinding noise and parking brake. Two questions.

[VK56VD]

Car: 1999 Nissan Maxima, Front wheel drive, Automatic, Non-ABS, 4 wheel disc brakes, 146k miles on the odometer.

I recently noticed a grinding noise during heavier braking from speeds of about 35 mph to 0 mph.

At first I thought that my front brake pads may be due for a replacement since it has been about 43k miles since I last replaced them.

After taking the wheels off and inspecting the front brake pads, I noticed that there is still some meat left and they should not be causing the problem.

After raising the rear end, while the cars parking brake was applied, I noticed my driver side rear wheel spinning freely.

Does the parking brake hold both rear wheels or one wheel on a front wheel drive car?

The driver side rear wheel also has a little bit more brake dust than my passenger side rear wheel which remains locked when I apply the parking brake.

I wonder if the grinding noise under braking has anything to do with my rear driver side wheel spinning freely with the parking brake applied?

I also noticed that the braking power to fully stop the car is a bit weaker than usual under heavier braking. Maybe it's my imagination since I'm hearing the grinding noise and I'm picking.

Both rear calipers were replaced along with new rear brake pads and rotors about 22k miles ago.

 

[The_Jeff]

Both rear wheels should lock. Your next logical step is getting that wheel off and getting a look see. Work the cable end with plyers to see what it does.

 

[tomcat27]

while the fronts do most of the braking, you will notice increased pedal effort if there is a problem with the rear brakes. I imagine one side is worn out or frozen.

 

[Ken2]

Don't be surprised if you have two separate problems at the same time...or just one problem causing both conditions.

Yes, one parking brake is defective. It might be the cable jammed with dirt and rust, or it might be the braking mechanism itself. As eljefino said, a good look is in order.

The grinding noise might be something different. Take a very good look at all four wheels. Remove the pads for the best look. Push the pads & pistons back into the calipers with a suitable tool (I usually use a screwdriver as a pry bar or pliers to compress them), and watch each push out and engage the rotor when a helper steps on the brake pedal.

 

[VK56VD]

The caliper's that I installed in the rear were rebuilt A1 Cardone's from RockAuto several years ago.

If it is a caliper issue, the caliper isn't making the wheel stick as it did when I had a frozen caliper last time. At that point I wasn't able to move the wheel freely by hand.

If it is a frozen caliper, what does it have to do with the parking mechanism?

 

[VK56VD]

From doing some research online, seems that where the cable attaches to the caliper, it may be rusty and I may need another new caliper under warranty.

Can someone explain how a stuck parking brake mechanism can cause problems during braking and make a grinding noise under heavier braking?

 

[The Critic]

They are probably two separate problems.

The grinding during braking is caused by an issue with the front pads. Brake pads can grind if they are damaged, glazed, chamfers worn out, etc. Replacing the front pads and turning/replacing the front rotors should solve that problem.

The LR caliper should fully engage when the parking brake is engaged. Either the cable is not working or your parking brake hardware is toast.

 

[mechtech2]

Parking brake cables, actuating lever , and rear brake mechanisms must be checked.
Clean and lube the drum brake parts - replace as needed.

 

[BearZDefect]

Unlike many rear disc setups, I don't think there is a drum on this one.

From what I can see the parking brake pushes the regular pads against the rotor, just like the brake pedal does.

 

[VK56VD]

Originally Posted By: BearZDefect
Unlike many rear disc setups, I don't think there is a drum on this one.

From what I can see the parking brake pushes the regular pads against the rotor, just like the brake pedal does.


You are right, there is no separate drum for the parking brake.