Hi everyone. I just bought a 1996 SSEi with 140 000 kms. I am very happy with this car but shortly after I bought it I have noticed a problem with the brakes. Once in a while while braking at low speeds it feels like there is something stopping the brake pedal from being pushed in and there is a sort of grinding sound. Like I said the problem only happens at low speeds and only when the vehicle is cold. The second time it happened I was approaching a red lignt and had to stop quickly so instead of letting off the pedal i tried pumping the brakes. I could smell something burning.

Does anyone have any idea what this could be? I searched the archives here for about 20 minutes but could not find any topics. Any input would be appreciated

Ok, what you are feeling is the ABS kicking on.

If you are stopping fast, and are in a situation where the wheels should be locking up, then this is normal.

If it is happeing all the time, then you either had a bad wheel sensor or bad encoder wheel (the part that turns on the hub when the wheel turns that the sensor reads). I beleive, but am not certain that on OBD II (On board Diagnostics 2) cars (1996 & up) that a scanner can read the ABS system and locate the suspect wheel.

ALSO, when applying the brake in a situation where the ABS kicks on and for good reason (ICE, SNOW, RAIN, Panic stop) DO NOT pump the brakes, keep your foot on and apply steady presure until you stop. The ABS system is 'pumping' for you and can only do so when your foot keeps steady pressure on the brake pedal.

Jay

Also one other thing. When shocks./Struts are worn, it can cause the ABS to kick on. What happens is while braking the wheel hits a bump and comes off the ground for a split second causing the wheel to lock up or significantly reduce speed sending a signal to the computer saying IM LOCKED UP OVER HERE and the ABS kicks on.

I had this problem in my 95 Sonoma and my Wifes 99 GP, when I replaced the worn shocks/struts (which needed replacement) the problem went away.

A good way to tell if it is the struts is find a road that has bad imprefections or an intersection on a hill (comming down) that has hills in the pavement (Pavement creep) and stop fast, but not panic stop with the windows down/radio off and listen for churping from the tires, the churping is the wheel making contact with the ground while locked up, like an airplane landing.

Remember to perform these test in a area that has low traffic or at off traffic hours. Hate to have your second post to be on where to find a used bumper. Welcome aboard.

Jay

Thanks for your response guys. What you said makes sense, cause it has only ever happened during the first braking of a drive, and I had to have the car safety inspected so the shocks should be fine. Thanks again!