Strange clicking noise from brake pedal
 

The noise I'm talking about began last summer while sitting in stop and go traffic, and appeared after depressing the brake pedal constantly on and off for a long time. I know the sound is coming from the pedal assembly because I can hear an audible click and feel it a little every time the brake peddle is depressed more than a third of the way down. I've tried to pinpoint exactly where the noise in coming from around the pedal armature but to no avail, thoughts?

It corresponds to when the brake lights come on. It might be a relay clicking on.

You have the brake light switch and the cruise control interupt switch that operate from the brake pedal. Maybe they are making the noise.

Any suggestions on how to mend the issue? Could the switches be worn or have lost lubrication?

if your speaking of the one click u hear when u start to press the break, its the shift lock releasing, as u cant put it in gear with no foot on the break,that click releases the lock on the shift lever to allow u to shift. u will hear it no matter what gear its in when ever the break is applied.

Probably a good idea, except my car's a 6 speed.

Interested in finding the solution to this, as my clutch pedal does the exact same thing. When letting the clutch out, it will get right to the end and then make a noticeable *click* and come out another inch or so. I think it might be the pedal itself though. I don't think it's any of the switches, because it can be felt quite distinctly on the pedal. Same for you dainiac?

-Nathan

Similar, only mine makes the noise when the brake pedal is depressed and not noticeably when it's being let back out. It's strange because no matter how hard I try and locate the source of the noise I can't find it. I thought it could be a spring perhaps which could explain your clutch pedal issue as well, but the sort of click im hearing doesn't seem like it would stem from that...

Yea, it doesn't sound like a spring on mine either, but I'll take a look. I was just going to let it go until it really annoyed me, but I think I'll go ahead and take a look at it and see if I can figure out mine. Maybe it will help point you in the right direction on yours.

-Nathan

Go figure, today I get in the car and on my way home my clutch pedal starts making the same noise as yours. This is seriously frustrating considering I cant seem to locate the affected area on either.

Hmmm... I think I'm going to go take a look at it as soon as this episode of Top Gear is over. Lol. I'll let you know if I find anything.

-Nathan

Solved! My clutch pedal noise was due to the nut that tightens down on the master cylinder rod being loose. Took the opportunity to adjust my clutch while I was down there and tightened everything down nice and snug. Click gone.

I'd check both pedals since the mechanisms are similar. Could be the same thing on both pedals. Hope that helps.

-Nathan

Glad to hear you figured out your issue. I imagine mine might be the same but I'm having trouble locating that same nut, any chance you could get a picture? Thanks.

No problem at all. Here you go:

Here's the one for the clutch:
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k9...h_CIMG0087.jpg

And here's the one for the brake:
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k9...h_CIMG0088.jpg

You can see how the rod comes out from the master cylinder and screws into the u-plate that mates to the pedal. The nut keeps the u-plate and rod from moving around. The nut on my clutch pedal was loose and was allowing that u-plate to move around as the pedal was pressed and released. The click I was feeling was the plate snapping against the pedal. I hope this helps you out.

-Nathan

Thanks again Nathan. Unfortunately this didn't solve the issue with my brake pedal, but it did help me locate the source of the noise. I think the sound is coming from inside the master cylinder for the brake, and what it sounds like is a sort of soft metallic clang occurring inside (almost like two small metal plates meeting.) An odd issue for sure, hopefully it doesn't mean im due to replace the part itself as I'm only at 95K.

Hmmm... That is interesting. I'm not sure how some grease or other lubricant would do inside that tunnel, but I don't think it will cause any damage and might help. In any case, I haven't ever encountered an issue like the one you're describing, so I'm afraid I can't be much help from here. Glad I could at least get you in the right direction if nothing else. Best of luck mate, and if I learn something that might help, I'll surely let you know.

-Nathan

Having the same issue here, guys... did you finally diagnose and fix the problem, dainiac?