Sticky Brakes

Reading your post, you're describing a SOUND rather than a feeling (such as a slight "grab")? Or both? If it's a sound, what does it sound like?

 

http://techno-fandom.org/~hobbit/cars/brakerust.jpg
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_H*

 

All,

This has been very interesting b/c I am taking my new Prius (2100 miles) over to the dealer this afternoon b/c the brakes are acting up. It seems like we may actually have 3 (three) different braking issues here - sticking, grabbing, and what I'll call slipping.

In my case, when I apply the brakes, at the end of the stop (probably less than 10 mph), I often (but not always) feel something like the brakes releasing and re-engaging. Someone earlier said something about it feeling like the ABS activating, I think that's a good description. You can feel the whole car shudder. Sometimes it's only one jerk, sometimes 3 or 4. Perhaps this is the same as what nickb describes?

Any thoughts on this? My rotors are clean, and it doesn't seem to depend on weather or whether I've been driving much or not.

Thanks,
XRM

 

I had the same problem, as discussed in a previous thread.

http://priuschat.com/Brakes-grabbing-t11858.html

The dealer wasn't very helpful, in my case. What about you? Consensus on the boards is that it's something to do with breaking the brakes in (sorry for the pun), and it should get better over time.

-Orgus

 

Hey Nick,

I have this exact problem. Drivers side as you are slowing to stop 2-4 "slight grabbs and noise." It does seem like a malfunction of the ABS. It like the drivers side front brake ABS engages at a slow speed is the best way I can describe it.

I don't think it has anything to do with breaking in the brakes. My car is a year old with 26,000

This is a problem and I really want mine fixed. Let me know if anyone has got it fixed and what it was.

paul b

 

I have a 2006 pruis with 98000 miles on it & I have a strange problem & wonder if anyone else has ever experienced this. After it rains & the air is dense wet, and I apply the brakes , the right rear wheel violently locks up with a loud bang. After driving awhile & some heat dries the drum it subsides. Any ideas?


Cal PS. Brake shoes good & no fluid leakes.

 

I think you should replace the brake shoes on both sides of the rear axle, as well as the right rear drum. Since you say that the problem is dependent upon excess moisture and the brake is locking the wheel, either the drum or the shoes (or both) are the problem.

 

the "slipping brakes" at low speed is the regen motor disengaging.
it stays engaged all the way down to about 5mph, to recharge the battery.
then at about 5mph, it disengages and the rest fo the stopping is done by the wheel brakes, aka the pads and rotors.
the transition btw the regen letting go and the wheel brakes engaging feels like a slight slip.
also since the wheel brakes hardly get used, only below 5mph, they never get warmed up, and never properly get cleaned by friction, thus the unclean surface causes the brakes to soemtimes feel sticky or rough below 5 mph.

there is no fix for the slip btw regen disengage and brake engagement
but
for sticky choppy brakes at low speed, every once in awhile from a good speed 40 mph etc slip into Neutral "N" and use the brakes exclusively to come to a stop. this will turn off regen braking, and allow wheel brake only stopping, this will clean the brake pads/rotors.
after a rain or wet weahter, its always good to do a brake cleaning to smooth out grabby brakes.

 

Same problem here, locking up at slow speeds(like approaching a toll booth, it's sometimes so bad the car jumps...and I'm talking extemely light brake pressure, that takes total concentration to not pass that grab threshold). I've seen numerous posts here, but none that say, "hey, I did this and solved the problem!" Everything is learn to live with it...Hey Toyota, can't you take a hint?

 

Getting the same thing you described on my newly 2011 Prius with less than 500 miles. Is this an issue or normal?