Brake pedal problems

[Steven W]

Recently I have noticed that when I apply the brakes it makes a crunching sound (hard to describe really). The sound comes from just behind the firewall where the brake arm goes through. I took it to a Ford service center and the guy was unsure but said it could be the power assist was going bad and thought it was usually $400 to fix. And of course I am out of warranty. Has anyone else experienced this noise.



Thanks

 

[Larry Phillips]

The only time I hear a "crunching sound" is when my ABS engages. But if there's a sound at the firewall, it might be the brake booster. It's pretty much the other side of the firewall from the instrument panel.

 

[Steven W]

No Im definitely not talking about the ABS, I know what that sounds like. Brake booster is what the ford guy was talking about. But has anyone heard of it being $400 to fix it.

 

[Michael Cacioppo]

Apply the brakes on and off while in park. If there is no sound then I believe it is not the brake booster. If it only happens when the brakes are applied while the vehicle is in motion, then I would suspect that the problem is in the caliper area such as the pads. Detecting the direction of sound can be tricky. Check the rotors and pads.

 

[Michael Hale]

Today is your lucky day (or unlucky depending on how you look at it). I posted last week with regard to a hard start issue that the dealer couldn't duplicate but I also mentioned that I had a loud squeaking sound coming from my brake pedal whenever I depressed the pedal. They replaced my master cylinder under my ESP and it has resolved the issue. I was told something similiar to what you were told as well.