Rubbing noise while braking?

[lauralou]

Hello Everyone!

I'm new here, and I hope I'm posting in the right place. First, I wanted to thank everyone for the content here - it's been great to have a place to read about my new car! I bought my first Mazda (2016 CX-5 GT no packages) two months ago, and I am in love! It's everything I wanted and more! I have about 1800 miles on the car, and have already been in for service once for a slight drift that turned out to have a TSB, so that was easy and a good experience at the dealer (not the dealer where I purchased).

I noticed a few weeks ago that when I brake from any speed, when I get to under 10mph or so, I can hear a rubbing sound coming from the front of the car for lack of a better description. It's not grinding or screeching or anything you would associate with needing new brakes. I may be crazy, but I wanted to see if any of you have the same sound. It's so light, I can only hear it when I mute the sound system. Is this normal or is it something I need to have inspected at the dealer? I don't notice any trouble with any stopping, but this sound happens consistently every single time I come to a stop. I searched the archives and couldn't find anything on this topic, but please point me to a post if I've missed something!

Thanks everyone!

-L

 

[MikeM.]

I noticed a few weeks ago that when I brake from any speed, when I get to under 10mph or so, I can hear a rubbing sound coming from the front of the car for lack of a better description. It's not grinding or screeching or anything you would associate with needing new brakes. I may be crazy, but I wanted to see if any of you have the same sound. It's so light, I can only hear it when I mute the sound system. Is this normal or is it something I need to have inspected at the dealer? I don't notice any trouble with any stopping, but this sound happens consistently every single time I come to a stop. I searched the archives and couldn't find anything on this topic, but please point me to a post if I've missed something!

Thanks everyone!

-L

Sounds like you may have a small pebble stuck in your brake pad. Have you inspected the disc to see if it's developing a small groove?

 

[nubbers]

Mine also makes a rubbing sound, but only under harder braking. I'll keep an eye/ear on it for now...

 

[lauralou]

Thanks for the response Mike! I have not looked at anything, just googled the hell out of it to no avail. I'm not well versed in cars, but I am more mechanically inclined than your average girl. Is inspecting it something I could easily do on my own? I'm also wondering if a trip to the dealer (or my mechanic, I'm open to seeing either) is necessary before my 250 mile drive on Thursday. Any input is much appreciated!

 

[MikeM.]

Thanks for the response Mike! I have not looked at anything, just googled the hell out of it to no avail. I'm not well versed in cars, but I am more mechanically inclined than your average girl. Is inspecting it something I could easily do on my own? I'm also wondering if a trip to the dealer (or my mechanic, I'm open to seeing either) is necessary before my 250 mile drive on Thursday. Any input is much appreciated!

You can inspect the outside face of the disc simply by looking through the wheel. The inside face is best inspected with the car on a lift.

But judging from your description of the sound being very light, it doesn't sound serious at all. If it starts to get worse or especially if the brakes are not performing properly, it needs to be looked at. But as long as your brakes function normally, and the light rubbing noise is not getting more noticeable, I wouldn't have any issues going on a 250 mile drive.