Noise from brakes when reversing

yelpir · 29-08-2010, 08:40 PM

I have got a MA Zetec, 2008 model. Fantastic car to drive. Recently, when reverse I sometimes get a loud "howling noise" (don't know of a better way to describe it) when ever I step on the brakes. Stamping hard on the brakes stops the noise but it sometimes resume as I lift up my foot off the brakes. It only happens when the car is in reverse and is now become embarassing

. I have been told that it must be brake dust. Has anybody experienced this before? And apart from stripping the pads and cleaning them, is there any other way of getting rid of the dust?

allanv6gt · 30-08-2010, 08:59 AM

Does your car have a 'hill hold' function (these lightly apply the brakes to stop you rolling back when starting off up a hill).
The noise (on my Outback) was that 1 hill-hold-assigned rear disc not releasing properly due to dirty mechanism.
..........and only in reverse !!! Like a banshee's wail...designed to wake the neighbours.

Essentially down to dragging disc pads.

yelpir · 30-08-2010, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by allanv6gt

Does your car have a 'hill hold' function (these lightly apply the brakes to stop you rolling back when starting off up a hill).
The noise (on my Outback) was that 1 hill-hold-assigned rear disc not releasing properly due to dirty mechanism.
..........and only in reverse !!! Like a banshee's wail...designed to wake the neighbours.

Essentially down to dragging disc pads.

I don't really know. Had a quick check of the car's specs (2.3l Mondeo Zetec, 2008) and there is no mention of that. So I guessed it probably doesn't have one. You are right about one thing though..the noise...the banshee wail..

mighty-mon · 30-08-2010, 11:04 PM

'Hill hold' function I thought only became available in Oz on the MB series but don't quote me.

paulie0735 · 31-08-2010, 11:56 AM

My XR5 has just started does the same thing, I suspect the pads are getting down a bit (65,000ks') and the calliper is moving around a bit and something is dragging on the disk while its in reverse. It’s nothing to worry about but might be worth getting the pads checked for wear.

allanv6gt · 31-08-2010, 06:17 PM

I have MB XR5...with hill-hold function, which works well.
Not sure about MA series.

mondo_broady · 31-08-2010, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mighty-mon

'Hill hold' function I thought only became available in Oz on the MB series but don't quote me.

pretty sure you are correct. i had the release from ford to dealers about updates in the MB and i am pretty sure that it was mentioned in that...

Bucknaked · 31-08-2010, 08:22 PM

Hill Assist is an MB option. Not available on MA series

yelpir · 02-09-2010, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulie0735

My XR5 has just started does the same thing, I suspect the pads are getting down a bit (65,000ks') and the calliper is moving around a bit and something is dragging on the disk while its in reverse. It’s nothing to worry about but might be worth getting the pads checked for wear.

Just touching base. Will soon be doing my 45K service and will give it a thorough check. In the mean time, I have almost gotten rid of the noise (I still get it now and then but no way near frequently or as loud as before). This was what I did based on advice but please be careful. Drove to a lonely road, made sure no car was following me and then slammed hard on the break going at 60 kmph. That activated the ABS (u actually feel it through the brake pedals). Repeated this three times making sure I actually get the ABS activated on each occasion and the noise has almost gone. The reasoning is that there is a lot of brake dust on the pad. Activating the ABS should get rid of them.

warren77 · 02-09-2010, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yelpir

Just touching base. Will soon be doing my 45K service and will give it a thorough check. In the mean time, I have almost gotten rid of the noise (I still get it now and then but no way near frequently or as loud as before). This was what I did based on advice but please be careful. Drove to a lonely road, made sure no car was following me and then slammed hard on the break going at 60 kmph. That activated the ABS (u actually feel it through the brake pedals). Repeated this three times making sure I actually get the ABS activated on each occasion and the noise has almost gone. The reasoning is that there is a lot of brake dust on the pad. Activating the ABS should get rid of them.

Sounds like you are not cornering hard enough to remove the dust ;)

yelpir · 17-09-2010, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulie0735

My XR5 has just started does the same thing, I suspect the pads are getting down a bit (65,000ks') and the calliper is moving around a bit and something is dragging on the disk while its in reverse. It’s nothing to worry about but might be worth getting the pads checked for wear.

Did the 45K service and while the noise had gone (except occasionally from the RH back wheel) it turned out the earlier noise was due to brake dust and worn out pad. Now replaced the back wheel pads but the fronts are still good.

paulie0735 · 17-09-2010, 04:25 PM

Yep me too, I replaced my pads last weekend and the noise is gone.