Sorry for not having a recording. It is coming from the front-passenger corner of the car. It only happens when the car is moving, but not predictably. It doesn't really get louder or quieter when braking; it just gets quieter as im coming to a stop whether from braking or coasting.

Any idea what this could be?

 

have you checked the clearance of the metal guards around your rotors?

 

No, I haven't. Admittedly, I know nothing about cars yet. Is there anything in particular I should do to check that? What's the red flag I'm looking for?

 

Assuming you have SE stock wheels or some sort of spokes. You dont even have to take the wheels off or jack the car up.

squat down, look through your wheel spokes at the round metal rotor that turns with the wheel (the thing the brake pad latches onto to slow the car down). Now BEHIND that, at a slightly wider diamater is a flimsier - probably rustier - piece of metal that acts as a guard to the metal rotor. Check to see if it is loose or is possibly scraping against your rotor. If it is, stick a screwdriver between it and the rotor, and bend it away so as not to scrape.

This is just one possible thing it might be, I had a similar sound and this was the diagnosis.

 

That's what's most likely.

OP: Have the wheels off your car recently?

 

yes sir it sounds like your backing plate is rubbing on your rotor. pry it back and the problem is fixed, if thats the case.

 

I had a similar problem except my made a more noticeable noise when turning. It turned out I had a small rock stuck between the backing plate and the rotor.

 

i know this is 4gen but my 5.5 had the exact same sound-was the upper shim(metal plate) in the caliper and as stated, was rubbing the rotor. I took it out as none of the other wheels had it on the max and i never left them on the alti- so eff it

 

Yup, it was definitely that plate. I took the wheel and rotor off today and pounded it a bit with a hammer. Sounds fine now!

 

glad you got your issue fixed!

 

good job!