Brakes crunching - ABS?

[Jerry]

Hi,

My '95 Outback has about 90K miles on it, and I had my rear brakes
fixed about 6 months ago (pads and rotors, I think). Sometime
after this repair, the brakes started making a crunching sound
under just about any circumstance. It doesn't always happen, but
it's frequent; probably more often than not when I step on the
brakes I hear the crunching as the car comes to a stop.

It sounds to me like the sound is coming from the front. When I
had the rear brakes done, the mechanic warned me that the front
brakes were getting worn and would need replacement soon. I
figured that was the source of the noise, so I had the front brakes
done about a month ago. The crunching has not stopped, however.

I'm thinking maybe the ABS is engaging when it shouldn't. The
crunching happens on any kind of pavement, any weather, at even low
speeds. I can't be sure it started when I had the rear brakes
done, but it was around the same time.

Could a brake job have screwed up the ABS sensors somehow? Is
there a way I can confirm whether this is an ABS problem? Is there
a more likely cause? Thx!

 

[Ratatooie]

ABS engaging feels like rollerskates on gravel on your foot, or driving over
one of those "rumble strips". The pedal actually vibrates. It's pretty
alarming the first time it happens...so it is distinct.

If you are hearing "crunching" like metal grinding noises I'd say you still
have something wrong with the breaks in general, not the ABS.

Usually the ABS will report an error to the computer, you could check for
codes.

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

Hi,

My '95 Outback has about 90K miles on it, and I had my rear brakes
fixed about 6 months ago (pads and rotors, I think). Sometime
after this repair, the brakes started making a crunching sound
under just about any circumstance. It doesn't always happen, but
it's frequent; probably more often than not when I step on the
brakes I hear the crunching as the car comes to a stop.

It sounds to me like the sound is coming from the front. When I
had the rear brakes done, the mechanic warned me that the front
brakes were getting worn and would need replacement soon. I
figured that was the source of the noise, so I had the front brakes
done about a month ago. The crunching has not stopped, however.

I'm thinking maybe the ABS is engaging when it shouldn't. The
crunching happens on any kind of pavement, any weather, at even low
speeds. I can't be sure it started when I had the rear brakes
done, but it was around the same time.

Could a brake job have screwed up the ABS sensors somehow? Is
there a way I can confirm whether this is an ABS problem? Is there
a more likely cause? Thx!

Sometimes a bad wheel bearing will have that type of noise - especially
at low speeds. Though usually its more like a squaky leather shoe
almost, and a whine at high speeds. Could also be a suspension component
I guess. try bouncy the car up and down at each corner.

Carl
1 Lucky Texan

 

[John]

I had this on my 95 wagon w/ABS. I put on two new front rotors and solved
the problem.