Noise and pedal weirdness when braking

[photon]

Hi,

Today on my way to work(first day after Sandy) I experienced something weird with my car while stopping at a light. All was fine then my car made a noise like a loud thump when I was braking. Also while I was braking the pedal felt weird. Like it broke. What I mean is it felt very different from the way it should feel. The closest way I can describe it was like the pedal went to the floor and beyond. Below are some things I remember about what I did and the conditions:

1)I was driving about 20-25 mph---very light rain
2)I did not drive over anything that I could see
3)I did see some leaves on the ground
4)My tires are fine(no flats)
5)I did not see any warning lights on the dash of any kind


Was this the ABS/Traction control/Brake assist at work? If it was, is what I experienced normal? It has got me a bit concerned. Thanks

 

[Eric Smit]

Could be ABS. I've had similar situations over uneven pothole filled roads.


-Eric Smit

 

[cndctrdj]

it was abs. makes sense.it is actually a pretty decent abs system... my pedal did not drop to the floor

 

[sx sonic]

Sounds like abs to me, especially given the road condidtions.

The pedal will feel as if its fighting agianst your foot in short burst as the valves in the ABS system open and close to fight wheel lock, I would describe it as the pedal going hard then soft then hard and so forth. The timing of the noise should directly correlate with the pulsations of the pedal.

Still keep an eye out for when it happens and if the roads are still wet you can always compare it agianst what you know is the ABS coming on by finding a safe wet patch of driving surface and locking up the brakes and noting what happens

-tyler

 

[Chevrolet Customer Care]

Hi,

Today on my way to work(first day after Sandy) I experienced something weird with my car while stopping at a light. All was fine then my car made a noise like a loud thump when I was braking. Also while I was braking the pedal felt weird. Like it broke. What I mean is it felt very different from the way it should feel. The closest way I can describe it was like the pedal went to the floor and beyond. Below are some things I remember about what I did and the conditions:

1)I was driving about 20-25 mph---very light rain
2)I did not drive over anthing that I could see
3)I did see some leaves on the ground
4)My tires are fine(no flats)
5)I did not see any warning lights on the dash of any kind


Was this the ABS/Traction control/Brake assist at work? If it was, is what I experienced normal? I has got me a bit concerned. Thanks

Your concern is definitely understandable. There is an ABS description on page 9-27 of the Owner's Manual. If you have sufficient concern, please take it to a dealership and them look at it. Keep us updated on the status of this. I hope all is well.

Matt,

GM Customer Assistance

 

[photon]

Thanks for all of the info and advice. I haven't had any issues since the one incident. I may go to the dealership on Saturday to have the car checked.

 

[frits183]

And what did they found of your complain?

I have been there today and they will mount new bolts on the caliper. !

 

[Calculon]

I had a somewhat similar issue. When I first got my Sonic, once every couple of weeks when I was driving at high speeds and rapidly slowed down, about 20-25MPH I'd get a grinding metallicy sound from the brakes. If I let off the brake and re-applied it, it was fine, but a little disconcerting nonetheless. I took it to the dealer and they couldn't find anything wrong with it. It seems to have fixed itself as I've not heard it in three or so months and I don't think I'm doing anything different.

 

[sx sonic]

I had a somewhat similar issue. When I first got my Sonic, once every couple of weeks when I was driving at high speeds and rapidly slowed down, about 20-25MPH I'd get a grinding metallicy sound from the brakes. If I let off the brake and re-applied it, it was fine, but a little disconcerting nonetheless. I took it to the dealer and they couldn't find anything wrong with it. It seems to have fixed itself as I've not heard it in three or so months and I don't think I'm doing anything different.

Did this happen after the car sat for awhile?? Was it after one of the first brake applications of the day??

The rotors will get some superficial rust after sitting for awhile (more so in humid/wet conditions) and will make noise when first moving or during the 1st big brake application of the day. Then it will go away since the rotor gets cleaned up after braking.

If that sounds like what you had I then it is normal, if not or if you are still alittle worried about it take it back to the dealer and explain when/how it happens and see what they say

-tyler