Split797

Okay so today my girl and I we were driving to Lowes to get some stuff. Upon braking to make a left turn into the entrance to the parking lot, I feel my right foot being pushed back by the break pedal and I hear a grinding sound. The sound seemed to have come from the left rotor. I thought I was the only one who heard this, but my girl heard it too; I didn't have the radio on so she heard it clear. We both looked at each other with a WTF look. This is the second time I've experienced this. So now, has anyone experienced this or heard of this happen? Also I've noticed that when I'm at a light or anywhere with my foot applying the break pedal, I feel the break pedal pushing my foot back and the car jerks a bit forward, and it starts to roll, so I have to reapply the break. I know I'm not going crazy cause my girl has felt the same thing. Any ideas?

Simba91102

Sure sounds like the ABS kicking in to me, except the sitting at a light thing (that sounds more like a vacuum booster for the brakes modulating). In any case, I'd take it to the dealer and see if they can recreate any of the conditions you describe.

Split797

Thanks Simba for the reply. I'm going to make an appointment and see what the folks at the dealer have to say.

Split797

Okay it happened again. I was making a u turn and I stepped on the brake a bit hard; the pedal began pushing my foot back with vibration. the grinding sound again occured. Man, what's going on?

poltergeist

Sounds like normal ABS/VSA activation. It's described in the owners manual.

dwest1023

How many miles one the car, and when it the last time you had the breaks checked? Sound like your pads are awfully low. If you have never added brake fluid, check the level and if it is low, thats your problem for sure.

Split797

dwest my car is brand new, '08. I've only had it for a month. I don't know.

poltergeist, is the grinding sound normal?

visuelz

It's your ABS function. Normal.

dwest1023

Oh, OK. Do you hear the grounding sound on every stop? It is normal to hear it in the morning after the car has sat. Sometimes rust forms on the rotors and until you brake a few times, you might hear a grinding sound. However I am concerned why your ABS is kicking in under normal braking. If you are jammin the breaks, then yes you will feel the brakes pulse. Even stopping on a bumpy road they might do it. Under normal driving on a smooth road the peddle should not be pulsating.

cestmoi

I've experienced occasional pulsations, but they were rare and I consider them normal braking conditions. I just realized though, that I've experienced them on wet roads more so, causing me to subconsciously apply a little harder than normal I guess.

You were probably applying your brakes a little too enthusiastically on your turns, causing the ABS to engage. Grinding noise is another matter entirely probably. You may want to test this. Drive in a straight line at a deserted parking lot. Brake hard, feel the ABS kicking in and tell us if you still hear the grinding noise.