Braking hard - grinding feeling in pedal

limenuke · 11-30-2011, 02:28 AM

It was late night today and I decided that I wanted to test my ABS. On an empty street, I would slam on the brakes at a stop sign. Even though it was wet, my tires didn't lock so ABS never kicked in. However, under very hard braking pressure, I did feel grinding feedback in the pedal... The sensation of my foot could be compared to having a slab of sheet metal strapped flush against the underside of my foot and then sliding my foot on some concrete.

Under normal braking pressure, I never ever feel the grinding. It is smooth and makes no noise. It is only when I SLAM on the brakes, like an emergency stop from 60kmph, that I'll get a grinding feeling through the brake pedal.

Does anyone know what causes this?

325isdan · 11-30-2011, 06:59 AM

That would be your ABS working. ABS prevents your wheels from locking up so you don't skid. ABS = Antilock Braking System.

Ceeker · 11-30-2011, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by limenuke

It was late night today and I decided that I wanted to test my ABS. On an empty street, I would slam on the brakes at a stop sign. Even though it was wet, my tires didn't lock so ABS never kicked in. However, under very hard braking pressure, I did feel grinding feedback in the pedal... The sensation of my foot could be compared to having a slab of sheet metal strapped flush against the underside of my foot and then sliding my foot on some concrete.

Under normal braking pressure, I never ever feel the grinding. It is smooth and makes no noise. It is only when I SLAM on the brakes, like an emergency stop from 60kmph, that I'll get a grinding feeling through the brake pedal.

Does anyone know what causes this?

If the ABS is working....you should feel the peddle giving you some kick-back along with some pulsing. I would think from your description that it is working.

Dr. Flyview · 11-30-2011, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by limenuke

Even though it was wet, my tires didn't lock so ABS never kicked in.

*facepalm*

limenuke · 12-01-2011, 12:55 AM

The ABS on my civic feels like pulsing. I expect a thudthudthudthud sound+feeling in my car when ABS is going. This does not feel like that. This feels like the brake pedal has hit a solid slab of steel which is rubbing on concrete. Instead of a defined pulse pattern, I feel slight vibrations, similar to what you might feel if you decided to skateboard down a concrete hill on a piece of sheet metal. This feels like grinding.

Also, Dr.Flyview, I meant "lock up" as in I did not feel like I was ever on the threshold of locking up before this occured. Nor did I feel any pulsing. To facepalm, you'd have to assume my ABS works to begin with - which I'm not sure it does.

noodles101 · 12-01-2011, 01:10 AM

yo mang if ur wheels didnt lock up, ur abs is working. lol

if ur wheels lock up, abs no worky worky

sproule905 · 12-01-2011, 08:34 AM

^ ha ha.. wax on wax off?

328IScreamer · 12-01-2011, 09:01 AM

some cars to have a more "grinding" type feeling to them when the abs kicks in
This is definitely what you are experiencing

doogee · 12-01-2011, 11:20 AM

Your Honda isn't a BMW. The two systems are obviously going to feel somewhat different.

Sounds to me like the ABS is doing just fine. Unless you have an ABS light on, you have nothing to worry about.

There is no other reason you'd feel anything like that through the brake pedal. Unless your rotor surface looks like the rocky mountains