Weird clamping noise while braking in snow - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

rs97ap · 12-07-2008, 10:10 AM

Ok - this is the first time I had this problem and it left me fully puzzled.

Mine is a 09 Camry with ABS, and traction control system. There were many times (during dry weather and rain) I had to brake hard and never had any problem.

But last night I was driving while it was snowing. Anytime I was braking and pushing the pedal a bit low - I was hearing a very weird clamping noise from front brake. I could even feel that extra shakes on brake pedal.

While I was slightly tapping on brake pedal - it was smooth. But everytime I was coming close to a red light or stop sign and pressing the brake pedal a bit low - that was happening.

Is it something normal? I have never had any car with ABS and traction control so not sure if this is normal but it certainly didn't sound normal.

MrSo0h0o · 12-07-2008, 10:20 AM

That is the ABS kicking in. You must be applying the brakes a bit too hard. The ABS kicks in when it senses that the wheels may lock up. The shakes on the brake pedal is the ABS system working. It pulsates the brakes rapidly to stop the car. Try slowing down a bit earlier when you are driving in snow; a more gradual braking. This should stop the ABS from kicking in.

rs97ap · 12-07-2008, 10:33 AM

Thanks. I was really scared. Good that I posted it here instead of taking it to the dealer. They would have had a good laugh at my expense

MrObvious · 12-07-2008, 10:57 AM

You might check your brake fluid but other then that it should be normal.

njerald · 12-07-2008, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rs97ap

Thanks. I was really scared. Good that I posted it here instead of taking it to the dealer. They would have had a good laugh at my expense

Thanks, I did....

***CharmCityES*** · 12-07-2008, 11:09 AM

Its simply the ABS doing its job like stated above....it activates at any detection of wheel slippage, which could be the snow your driving on, ice, bumps in the road, etc.
the vehicle has sensors at each wheel called wheelspeed sensors that relay back to the ABS computer the speed of each wheel, and it activates when it detects that one or more wheel is moving faster or slower than the others during braking.

BlackCamSe · 12-07-2008, 11:13 AM

thats your abs...

njerald · 12-07-2008, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XxTrD_ToYoTaxX

thats your abs...

His abs have nothing to do with his ABS........

BlackCamSe · 12-07-2008, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by njerald

His abs have nothing to do with his ABS........

are you serious? like seriously? You need a reality check. And you really need to grow up. Your acting more childish then my 10 year old sister.

CamrySExxx · 12-07-2008, 12:21 PM

^ i noticed that every time you respond to njerald, you ALWAYS edit your post... i still see alot of spelling errors.

njerald · 12-07-2008, 12:34 PM

And there are still 2 errors in the kid's post.

Words (the right ones, used and spelled correctly) are important in life.

Getting older and learning are two different things........

Redline_Me · 12-07-2008, 12:42 PM

I love ABS, but it does feel like your wheels are about to fall off.

CamrySExxx · 12-07-2008, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redline_Me

I love ABS, but it does feel like your wheels are about to fall off.

Haha you really feel the ABS in the camry's too, it's very noticeable on the brake pedal compared to the accord. My ABS usually doesn't kick in much though, if it does i just apply less pressure to slow down. Thank god for ABS though, alot of people complain how it might take a bit longer to stop but I'd rather have abs kick in and be able to adjust my breaks than for my wheels to lock up and lose control of the car.