scraping noise from rear

[hashbrown]

I've been having a strange problem and the dealer can't seem to figure it out. I bought my car back in sept. 2002 and have been loving it. Until about 2 months ago when it developed a strange squeeling/scraping noise (similar to the sound of a loose fanbelt) in the rear of the car after the car had been running for awhile and was usually above 80km/h (that's right i'm in canada) for more than 10-15 min. Also, when i apply the brake the sound goes away, and it gets quieter when i steer to the right rather than the left.
Very strange.

I've had the car in twice to be looked at but they can't seem to find a problem with it. Although the sound has gone away for about a week after they've looked at it and then came back. Of course now the sound is starting to come much more frequently (still goes away when braking though).

Anybody have a similar experience or know of a possible cause? I'm getting a little worried, especially with the dealer saying there has been nothing wrong with it.

thanks.

 

[20ESGUY]

how many miles have you got on the car total, and what has the dealer done to try and repair it?

 

[cjstringer]

If it's a squealing noise that goes away when you are braking, it may be a loose or worn brake pad. I had a similar situation, and when you turned one direction it would get quieter. Are your brakes possibly worn out already? It may be a messed up caliper putting too much pressure on one side.
Just some thoughts.

 

[hashbrown]

as of this morning i've hit 28000km (not sure what that is in miles).

at 24000 i took the car in for an oil change and mentionned the problem, they then did the standard 24k brake check and the sound went away for about a week. at about 26k i brought the car back in specifically for the noise. They went over all the braking systems and said they couldn't find anything wrong and suggested not using the parking brake (it's an automatic, so not a big deal). The problem went away for about 2.5 weeks, 2 days ago it came back and this morning it was louder then ever. I stopped for 5 min. and the sound went away for about 6km of city driving and came back.

 

[Syzygy]

...(snip)...said they couldn't find anything wrong and suggested not using the parking brake (it's an automatic, so not a big deal)...(snip)...

Welcome to the forum, hashbrown!

The suggestion that you not use the parking brake is ridiculous. From your description of the problem, this has nothing to do with it.

The problem needs to be fixed. I, personally, would take it in and insist they fix it right away, or give me a Miata for a loaner if they prefer to take their time. That should do it. This is a real problem, even if they want to minimize it. You have a warranty, they need to fix it.

 

[20ESGUY]

I got to go with what CJ recomended about the caliper sticking and wearing the pad, probably the inside. In US terms you have about 17K miles on it, brakes shouldn't be worn out unless you do some serious track time. If it's not the cailper have them check the muffler mouts, sometimes they'll rub on the chassis when driving and not be noticable at idle.

 

[hashbrown]

Thanks. This gives me a little more information to go into the dealer with. Syzygy, i think i'll suggest the miata as a loaner. Hopefully things will work out!

thanks again.

 

[carmat]

I've been having a strange problem and the dealer can't seem to figure it out. I bought my car back in sept. 2002 and have been loving it. Until about 2 months ago when it developed a strange squeeling/scraping noise (similar to the sound of a loose fanbelt) in the rear of the car after the car had been running for awhile and was usually above 80km/h (that's right i'm in canada) for more than 10-15 min. Also, when i apply the brake the sound goes away, and it gets quieter when i steer to the right rather than the left.
Very strange.

I've had the car in twice to be looked at but they can't seem to find a problem with it. Although the sound has gone away for about a week after they've looked at it and then came back. Of course now the sound is starting to come much more frequently (still goes away when braking though).

Anybody have a similar experience or know of a possible cause? I'm getting a little worried, especially with the dealer saying there has been nothing wrong with it.

thanks.

Message from Canada:

Hi all, I had the exact same problem, and I need your advice.
Bear with me, I am technically challenged.

36,000km Protege5 that I leased in May 2002. Scraping noise in the back. Stops when touch brakes.
Take in the car immediately to the dealer, and says that I had 5% left in back 2 brakes. Says not under warranty, but did me a "favor" and went to see his boss to have it approved under the warranty for 2 disc brakes only. Has to charge me the pads and labor. Price tag: 2 hours labor + parts appx $300.00 Canadian. :'(

It's strange because:

1-) went a few months ago and they were at 85%
2-) He did not offer to give me my old parts
3-) On the bill, it says: "crooked and rusted". A good friend tells me bu**s*it.
4-) Do you find it premature to change such parts at 36,000KM?
5-) Not a CAA nor APA member, any other please for advice?
6-) Is 2 hours labor ridiculous?

Any suggestions? Help...
Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[mlefebvre96]

Same Problem: Resolution?

I'm experiencing the same thing as well. I was thinking of bringing my car in to the dealer this weekend. What I've noticed in addition to what has already been mentioned is that the noise seems to be coming from the right rear of the car, and when I get out to check the brakes, there is a significantly greater amount of heat coming off the right brakes than the left. Something must be sticking.

Has anyone else with this problem found resolution for it??

BTW, I have about 37k miles on the car.

Thanks for revisiting this one for me.

 

[tmht]

Something is not right here. The front brakes should be wearing out long before the rears do. I would take the car to a brake shop that offers free inspection and get a second opinion.

 

[carmat]

Hi all, Thank you for your replies.

Well, I had a huge bill from a Mazda dealer for parts and labor. I called to complain and they credited out of "good will" a small portion, but something is still not right.

I am at 37K, and many tell me it's not normal to change these brake parts so soon.

- Does anyone know of a listing of regular check-ups and maintenance repairs?
I am looking for "KM -> repair done" type of list (in Canada if possible).
Thanks all!
Carmat

 

[drA!]

i had the same problem. you should all go back to the dealership and have them refund any money they charged you for servicing and replacing your rear brakes.

i live in new york and the roads are salted in the winter so some of the undercarriage rusts--not a big deal. the rear rotors on the p5 seem to be especially sensitive to rust, however. it started out as a sqeak like an un-oiled pulley on my car. the sound would go away whenever it was wet or whenever i applied the brake. it started to drive me nuts so i drove the car around until i could locate the problem--coming from the rear brakes. i touched the rotor and it was so hot from friction that it burned the tip of my finger.

in the good old days, brake pads used to be made from asbestos. now anything factory is usually made out of metal. metal on metal does not sound good and when it heats up it expands thus causing the sound. in other words part of or all of your brake pad is rubbing against the rotor.

on my car, they sanded down the rotors slightly to fix a "rust ridge" and asked me to change my driving habits--"do you use your parking brake? try just putting it in first when you park it to give some relief to the brakes..." that was one of the more stupid things someone has suggested i do.

the sound went away for about a week and gradually returned. it slowly evolved into a grinding and just from looking at the rotor through the rims i could tell the pads were shaving off the metal from the rotors. over time i built up a considerable amount of "brake dust", which was actually metal that had been sanded off the rotors from the brake pads. the dust collected on my rims and whenever it rained it would rust and look terrible.

i finally got my car in to get the rotors and pads replaced. at that point i was willing to go ceramic pads and sport rotors for $350 + the install. i didn't have the money at the time and i decided to give it another shot with mazda service.

i found out that the brake pad/rotor issue is a common problem among p5 owners. the service manager told me that mazda was changing the rotor and pad manufacturer and that the parts were on back-order. the good news is that even though i had 27k miles on the car, it was free. you're not alone if you've got rear brake problems--go get it fixed and make sure you're not expensed for anything.

i had the rear rotors and pads replaced two weeks ago and haven't had any problems since then--no noise and they seem to work fine. i'm not noticing any significant wear on the rotors, either.

hope this has helped.

 

[Vaarky]

So from the looks of it, you folks all have either 2001 or 2002 models. Not that it helps you any, but it might be interesting to note that my 2003 Protege5 hasn't given me any strange brake noises at all. This might mean they changed their factory rotors/pads or the brake setup such to avoid this problem you mentioned.

Either that or, once I hit the mileage you folks are talking about, the problem will develop on mine as well.

 

[brokemp3]

i was at the dealer yesterday looking for rear brake pads for my mp3. they are on back order for three weeks . the reason - p5 rear brake systems have a problem releasing the calipers so they wear out much quicker then they should. the dealer had to take some off new p5 that were waiting to be sold because they were under warrenty. i had to go to nappa to get new pads.

 

[mlefebvre96]

Solution?

It was difficult to argue this point with the dealer. I probably should have been a little more persistent, but I decided I'd just do the repair myself instead.

So I waited a few weeks for the back ordered rotors and got a new set of pads and did the replacement myself. On the brake caliper, there's a follower "gear" (essentially a set screw) that can be adjusted to take up the gap between the pad and rotor due to pad wear - this screw sets the piston resting position. When I did the brake job, it was quite clear that the piston on the trouble side was set much tighter than the one on the trouble-free side. I wonder if a service person adjusted this gear and forgot to back it off, thus frying my pads and discs. I don't think this gear is self adjusting, but it does seem odd that other people have experienced this - I wonder if there's an additional problem with the function of this part. If anyone sees a TSB for this problem, let me know. I need to be sure to write a note to the dealer who originally told me it was routine brake wear.

Anyway, 3 weeks since I did the brake job. It was simple, a great learning experience, and now I'm a little less reliant on the dealer. It all worked out OK, I guess. Absolutely no problems so far.

Marc

 

[Guvyp5]

I've had this happen too.

Hey folks. I had the same problem with my rght rear brake pad about 6-8 months ago. I also have a 2002 P5. I noticed the car slowing down whenever I let go off the gas -auto tranny- the problem seemed worse whenever making right turns. It seemed like the car wanted to stop. I wasn't hearing any noises though. I inspected my rotors and pads and noticed right rear pads looked scorched (sp?) . I went to my dealer, explained the problem and they said right rear caliper wasn't releasing the brake, and it was replaced under warranty. I haven't had any problems since. I posted about this back then asking if anyone else had experienced the same problem but didn't get any responses.

Those of you having problems I suggest you talk to your dealers and have them fix the problem under warranty.

 

[Glhboy]

I took my car in last week to the dealer because I had some slight vibration when braking in the steering wheel. They basically said they couldn't feel it and made me out to be a lier. I knew that the rotors at least needed turned due to being slightly warped. But the problem was very slight and said ok, I've only got 12,000 miles on it and I can wait, because the service guy said he can turn rotors up to 24,000 miles under warranty. Anyways, I move on, it's now Monday and I am hearing a kind of rubbing sound on the brakes and it goes away when I push the brake pedal. This doesn't make sense, I don't remember hearing it before. It sounds like it's coming from the front driver's side wheel rather than the back, but I could be wrong. I'm taking it up there on my lunch and making them ride with me, this is annoying on such a low mileage car. Also, when new these cars have brake pads of 9mm and mine are down to 6mm is this normal wear for 12-13,000 miles?

What the heck is under warranty on rotors and brakes? I'm confused and pissed.