Hello, I have a '97 White GXE.

The other day I had just installed a new set of Focal speakers in my car, and was driving around downtown Seattle testing them out.

I noticed suddenly that a car around me was making a terrible noise...like their brakes were totally shot or something...I turned down my stereo, and realized it was me!!!!

It got worse and worse, so I quickly pulled over and checked the rotors on all my wheels to see if there was damage to them....they are smooth as glass.

I then looked carefully at the brakes all around, and nothing seemed amiss.

I was parked in a bus zone, and was only a few blocks from my apartment. I decided to make a break for home and get the car towed from there, as it's still under warranty.

Strangely, however, 4 blocks before home, the noise very suddenly stopped.

I passed home and kept driving for a few miles...not a squeak......

I've been driving it all week, and it's fine now.....The car only has 49k, and I just bought it from the Nissan Dealership at 39k last September, so I'm sure the brake pads and rotors are just fine.

Any ideas as to what happened here? The sound appeared to be coming from the passenger front tire.

IanS

 

Debris caught between rotor and pad...

If it's gone... don't worry about it...

 

Check the TSBs, there are a few about rear brake "groaning".

 

Hmmm...I hope it was just debris...

I'm a little scetchy because my last car was a '92 Camaro and the thing went thorugh 3 brake systems and 4 engines in 5 years....(Exactly why I DIDN't buy American this time).

Any other ideas?

IanS

 

If you're really paranoid (or just cautious)...

Check the passenger front area ,where you heard the sound, from underneath and see if the CV boots, etc look OK...

 

I wouldn't make that assumption. Brakes are usually not changed until they start making noise. Altough I agree that it was probably a rock or something caught in the brakes, you really ought to remove both front wheels and see exactly what condition those pads are in.