Brakes making funny noise?

Question

Alright so I just bought a used focus with 33k, the pads are original and dont look too too bad, could need replacing soon, but there is a very loud obnoxious scraping sound coming from the drivers front wheel, when i apply the brakes the sound goes away, but when you let up, the noise continues, Ive noticed there is an obvious scrape "ring" around the outside of the rotor where the pads make contact with the rotor? any ideas if this is a result of pads needing replaced or somthign differant? thx..

Answer 1

check with your brake specialist.  it sounds grrrooovy!

Answer 2

Do you a squelch pad? It has a piece of metal off the pad that makes a scrap when you get close to replacement. You might have a little rock or dirt, hit the rotors with a hose and see what happens. Usually GM cars have those pads.

Answer 3

The grinding noise could be a rock or some buildup in the pad making the sound. The lip around the rotor is normal wear lip that almost all used rotors have. Just take your wheel off and look at the pads, you will see the wear indicator on the pad. It is a little metal flap and if it is in contact with the rotor it is time for new pads, usually most people change their pads when 4mm or less is left on them.

Answer 4

I guess I'd take the calipers and pads off that wheel, and check the face of the pads to see if there's anything unusual there. And it might not be a bad idea while you have it jacked up, to check the wheel bearing for excessive play too. Kind of low mileage to have that kind of a problem, but depending on where this "scrape ring" is, and exactly what it looks like, it does fit the symptoms otherwise. If you mean on the hub, then definitely the wheel bearing is bad.