Rx330 grinding noise braking hard.

[Kurtatron]

What is this? First time I have ever heard it. Light turned red. I have to brake hard. Car makes a loud scraping noise, like the noise brakes make when grounding off rust rotors that have been sitting for weeks, but louder.

2004 Lexus RX330 196k miles.

I checked underneath. Nothing is dangling. Wheels are not hitting wheel wells or something like that. I tried to reproduce the noise by braking hard, and I can’t get it. I have to brake like an emergency stop.

How can I find the source of this noise? Any predictions what it could be?

 

[D60]

ABS pump

 

[Rand]

normal ABS noise?

 

[Kurtatron]

Is there a way to test this? Remove an ABS related fuse or something?

I also though ABS pulsates the brake pedal when activated.

 

[97prizm]

Is there a way to test this? Remove an ABS related fuse or something?

I also though ABS pulsates the brake pedal when activated.

Do you have an obd scanner? Some have a setting to modulate the abs to pump fluid through it.

 

[Kurtatron]

I replaced the rear brake pads, which one of them was grinding metal from a worn away pad. Noise was not solved. I also checked the front brake pads. Still plenty of life left.

The noise only happens on hard braking. What could it be???

 

[The Critic]

I replaced the rear brake pads, which one of them was grinding metal from a worn away pad. Noise was not solved. I also checked the front brake pads. Still plenty of life left.

The noise only happens on hard braking. What could it be???

It's a normal characteristic for some brake pads. The material on the pads will cause this. Experienced this on the Accord, replaced pads and the issue went away.

 

[Kurtatron]

It's a normal characteristic for some brake pads. The material on the pads will cause this. Experienced this on the Accord, replaced pads and the issue went away.

Ok. I have the car on jacks to change tires out today. Maybe I’ll swap out the brake pads to test this idea.

 

[bdc101]

Did you check ALL of the front brake pads too? If a caliper is stuck or if a brake pad has been installed wrong (cocked sideways or something) you can be grinding one of the pads down while the other side looks brand new.

 

[Kurtatron]

It's a normal characteristic for some brake pads. The material on the pads will cause this. Experienced this on the Accord, replaced pads and the issue went away.

You were right! I swapped out the front brake pads, and gave it 3 good hard stops that normally cause a grind.

Noise free.

The pads were not worn, but like you said, they can still make a noise.

The smaller pad is the rear pad that was clearly metal on metal contact.