QuestionHi Sam,
I don't know that this is a Ford specific question, but I didn't see a general or brake forum. The issue we are having is that our front brakes are grinding. However, it only happens when the brakes are likely cool. Once they warm up you never hear it.
For example, the loudest we ever hear it is when we are backing out of our driveway, which is on an incline. We gently apply the brakes so we don't go shooting down the driveway and that's when you hear it grinding the most and loudest.
This typically continues for a couple more stops (only during stops and happens on all types of surfaces), but then you won't hear it again until you let the car sit for a little bit, presumably because they cool down again.
We actually had the brakes done (new pads and rotors turned) at the beginning of November because of grinding on the front brakes. This continued shortly after that and seems to have gotten worse. We've taken it back to the place twice and this last time they said there is nothing wrong with the front brakes.
I am assuming the car didn't actually make the same sound we hear for them because they drove it right when we arrived, so the brakes were probably warm.
I was doing some searching and saw people talk about rust forming overnight, but I am in Vegas so the air is pretty dry. Second, it happens with as little of a 1-1.5 hrs cool down period.
Any ideas as to the reason? Thanks for your input.
AnswerDavid, first, the rust on the rotors happens when you have the car parked outside for about two to three days in a wed, musty weather. So, you don't have this problem.
Based on your description, I would suspect it could be a sticking caliper. As you warm-up the brake and fuild it loosen up again. Unless the mechanics takes apart the caliper, there no way you can be sure. Try to have the brake fluid flushed and replace with new. This might help..
