So...for those of you who are mechanically inclined I call upon you to shed some light on this situation.

There is a metallic noise as if someone was taking two metal poles and hiting one with the other, this noise happens when I brake only when I'm in reverse and at slow speed. Also only happens in the front. Driving is not affected at all. Any ideas why this could be happening?

Things to consider.
1. No CEL
2. Nothing loose i.e. calipers etc...
3. I am lowered with tein s.techs and stock struts/shocks and have aftermarket wheels.
4. It's constant, whenever I'm in reverse and use the brake only when it first ingages.

Any help with this will be greatly appreciated.

-Chris

 

have you done anything to the car in the last month

 

the rims...but i was hearing the noise with the stock wheels

 

cv boot clamp loose/ damaged?
any rust or corrosion on any brake parts at all? even just a speck?

 

I have the same noise, and I believe it is something vibrating (metal to metal) under the car. I have not gotten under the car to check it out yet, but will someday. It is at its worse in reverse (reverse lights). Mine even does it when I am stopped at a light with the brake on (brake light on). Head lights on make it worse. I put it in neutral, while sitting and it goes away almost completely. I was thinking the load on the electrical system is causing the engine to just not run at its best, and causing a slight shake, and that causes some line to knock against the body. Just my thoughts. I just got ramps I can pull up on, so hope to check it out in a week or so. Good luck

 

I don't see any rust...my steering and driving are not affected at all neither is braking or braking performance. Just makes an awful noise when I hit the brakes and noly in reverse. When I come to a stop light and brake no noise at all...But when I'm backing out of a parking spot or drive way and hit the brakes bam there it is.

-Chris

 

I thought that was normal for the front brake pads to adjust like that after going in reverse. I know my Corolla and Scion both do that after the brake pads are broken in about halfway or so. The brake pads clank as they are reseated I believe. I am pretty sure that is listed as a normal sound.

 

If the sound is not a repeating sound as you continue to roll backwards then it probably is the trailing struts in the suspension - tighten the chassis bolts and nuts. They are supposed to be checked every 5000 miles.

 

I believe what you are hearing is the brake pad movement inside the caliper. Let me explain, the brake pad itself is glued to the brake pad backing plate, which is made of steel. The brake pad backing plate slides into the opening of the caliper. The slack that exists between the opening of the caliper and the brake pad backing plate is the culprit here. When you back up and put your foot on the brake, the brake pad and backing plate are squeezed against the brake disc, otherwise known as the rotor. This moves the brake pad and backing plate rearward by the amount of slack between the backing plate and the caliper, creating a slight clunking noise. If you now listen carefully and pull ahead slowly and apply your brakes again you will hear the clunk again as the backing plate moves forward slightly until that slack is taken up. Bottom line, don't sweat it.

 

^^^Exactly right! Most all vehicles do this but some are worse than others. My E350 makes a really horrific noise when first braked during backing. It might be worse cause it has 340,000 miles tho.

 

Well I've checked everything that I had messed with putting on the springs and rims no bolts or nuts are loose, however I may have missed these...exactly where are they located?

-Chris

 

This is very re-assuring. Sounds exactly what I'm experiencing. Thanks.

 

I guess not owning any of my previous cars past halfway of the brake life might be why I hadn't experienced it yet Thanks for the info.

 

Brake pads don't adjust but they can have a little rotational play - more likely you are hearing the rear brakes shoes adjusting - you should back up more and pump them hard on and off until the brake pedal starts grabbing at the top. There is a ratcheting adjustment on the rear brake shoes which adjust the free play on the shoes when the brakes are applied when going backwards. When you go forward again the brake pedal should feel firmer and higher up.

 

The noise I'm hearing is deffinately coming from the front of my box. I even had someone else back up and hit the brakes so I could listen.

One thing I am noticing is when I have my wheel off in the front and its jacked up...if I turn the rotor a quarter of a turn either way I hear the same noise?

-Chris

 

That doesn't sound good . . . you may have a rust spot on the rotor that is dragging on the brake pad and moving it around. thing to do it to see if there is a rust spot on the rotors and see if it is worse when the wheel it turned all the way to the stops left or right. Also you could retract the wheel cylinder a little to eliminate the pad drag on the rotors - just watch the brakes when you first hit the pedal - and DON'T Push the pedal all the way to the floor - give it a couple of short pumps to tighten the play afterwards. If you push the pedal to the floor you could blow the master cylinder or trigger a brake failure sensor. You may have a worn or damaged CV joint and by turning the wheel left or right you make them flex more which should increase the moise they make if there is a problem with them. You want to feel for any spring in the turning of the rotor indicating something binding on the drive shafts - they should turn pretty easy. Also check for a flat spot on the tires which is cause by uneven drag on the rotors - as the tire spins you will see a dip in the tread. Also look at the axles where the enter the transmission to make sure they are not leaking or chewing up the seals from being pushed in too far on their splines. How is your tire alignment - ever hit a curb??? Make sure that the axles are not being pushed into the tranny from a screwed up swingarm on the suspension.

 

I looked for a rust spot and I don't see any...also no uneven wear on the tires they are only 3 weeks old.

The noise isn't present while I'm driving...that noise when i turned to rotor only happened when the car was off and jacked up with the wheel off...moved it back and forth and heard the noise. The rotor itself moves freely just made that noise. I was thinking it was cuz it was off...

I am concerned about the CV joint...but if this wa the case wouldn't I notice a difference in the way it drives or turns...

Again there is no noise unless I reverse out of being in park and lightly hit the brake.

Thanks again

-Chris

 

If it were the CV joint it would make loud clicking noise when turning sharp.
Mine makes the noise all the time while backing up just like everyone else's. You will get used to it trust me.
Jan06xB , you are not helping matters much by trying to over analyze his noise. The rear brakes do not wear enough to have to adjust every time he goes backwards. I checked my rear brakes at 30K and the were still like new. The shoes were not even fully seated inside the drums.
The front pads have a gap front to rear where they ride in the caliper. If they didn't they would drag and not move freely side to side as they are applied and wear. When you go backward and hit the brakes the pads move backwards slightly till they hit the caliper bracket and stop. This is the noise you hear. I don't know how better to explain what is taking place when that noise occures.
If it bothers you that much have the dealer check it out under warranty or a brake shop inspect your brakes for free. They will likely explain it the same exact way.

 

^x2

This sounds normal. My brakes also do a "clunk" when I back up in reverse. They are just seating/adjusting (whatever) themselves. It's totally normal.

 

this is exactly what you are having happen...

you even said it when describing when the sound happens.

only when going in reverse....and the first time you apply the brakes.

this is nothing to be concerned about, it happens a lot to almost every car out there.
the pads need to be loose in the calipers (otherwise they would not work...lol). this is just the pads moving within the cailper.