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Odd noise braking over dips.

7975 Views 8 Replies 8 Participants Last post by  gray
I've noticed an odd noise whenever i go over certain dips in the ground while braking. Its similar to the sound grinding gears makes, a friend tried to convince me its ABS, but im not so sure. I'll post a video as soon as i can.
(by dip i mean the opposite of a speed bump, i.e. a big crack in the ground) its done it since i purchased the car (february) and only happens at lower speeds while pressing the brake pedal.
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I have a 2011 Nissan versa Hatchback, recently whenever I first start the car there is a single click sound coming from the brakes, at every stop and when I start driving again, there's that single click, it's driving me insane! I've read somewhere that it's the ABS doing a self check, but it never did it before, only after I recently have my brakes done, I've checked the brakes again, and they said everything is ok, why didn't it do it before? Who knows...good luck to you. By the way, you and I and many others are experiencing this, with all types of Nissans not only the Versas.
I hear some sounds, like brake slippage when they're cold, that's probably normal anyways....
I've noticed an odd noise whenever i go over certain dips in the ground while braking. Its similar to the sound grinding gears makes, a friend tried to convince me its ABS, but im not so sure. I'll post a video as soon as i can.
(by dip i mean the opposite of a speed bump, i.e. a big crack in the ground) its done it since i purchased the car (february) and only happens at lower speeds while pressing the brake pedal.
^ I bought my car in March. Just recently I too have been hearing the same thing. It is a bit unsettling. When I back out of my driveway (which is on a small incline). And happens in some of the city driving. Mostly slow speeds like backing out, or turning in a parking lot and needing to use my brakes.
*the sound comes from the rear wheels*
I have a 2009 Versa S sedan MT-6 with just over 35K miles and have the following observations;

1) At each start-up when I get to about 9 MPH there is a very brief 1 thump which sounds like the AC clutch engaging and instantly disengaging; I suspect a preventive exercise of the AC compressor to prevent lack of use in the winter

2) At each start-up when I get to about 19 MPH the the ABS goes through self calibration consisting of a few small thumps on the passenger side since the ABS unit is in the engine compartment on the passenger side in front of the glove compartment.

3) The ABS when engaged does make a sound similar to grinding gears. Versaforce should take his car to a dirt road and step on the brakes at 30 MPH hard enough to make the wheels lock up and see if the sound is the same. Has the car been lowered or is the exhaust pipe sagging?

Is the noise approaching the dip or on exiting the dip? If exiting, it could be the front wheel lifting off the ground and stopping rotation due to the applied brake and activating the ABS and when the wheel hits the ground the ABS pulsing begins and lasts a brief while even after the brake is released. On my Versa the ABS appears to wait a small amount of time even after the brake is released.

Frank 2009 Versa S sedan MT-6 with 35200 miles.
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My Versa was making all the noises you are describing the grinding gears sound, the single click. It was without a doubt a failed Ball Joint in the left front. I had to replace the Lower Control Arms on both sides.

The first sign of the ball joint failing is the single click heard when taking off form a stand still, when you get to the grinding gears sound the ball joint has already failed.

If you are still under warranty please take it to your dealer to have the Lower Transverse Link with ball joint replaced on both front axles! If out of warranty it will cost around $800 at the dealer to have the problem fixed.
I found the answer to my question, i went driving in the snow last night for the first time to see how it handled and purposely locked the brakes a few times and found that it is the anti lock brakes that make that noise. I believe it is exactly Francesco said with the front wheels lifting off the ground and stopping causing ABS to kick in, in my case.
front wheels lifting off of the ground???

Dude, that is dukes of hazzard type stuff. Your original post stated this happens while driving slow. Your wheels are not lifting off of the ground when you drive slowly over a dip. Seriously? :smilielol5:
When backing out of the garage in the morning the front brakes start squelling a little, after aways down the driveway it quits. I just got it, 2010 Versa hatchbach with 23,400 miles on it. Brakes should not be bad yet, right? Please Help!!
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