Technical Popping noise when braking

[vnk]

Hello all!

I have a question about my Fiat 124 Spider Lusso, 2017. It has about 65,000 miles on it. I have unpainted brake calipers.

I recently took my car to Firestone to see if they could help with the noise my car makes when braking. It goes "pop, pop, pop..." all the way until I completely stop the car. It doesn't matter what speed I go, every single time I brake it makes the popping noise. It has been happening for about 6 months I would say. I understand if it was irresponsible for me to continue driving.

Firestone came back and said both my left and right rear calipers needed to be replaced. They also mentioned that they never saw a car with this little amount of miles that needed the calipers replaced. They quoted way too high, about $1,200 for the left and $980 for the right. I left and did not get them replaced because that number sounds insane.

Can anyone offer advice on what you think it could be? I am not a car person so I will have to take it somewhere. I would prefer to have a little understanding of what it COULD BE so when I go into another shop I won't get oversold or taken advantage of for my lack of knowledge.

Thank you all in advance!

 

[bugsymike]

Hello all!

I have a question about my Fiat 124 Spider Lusso, 2017. It has about 65,000 miles on it. I have unpainted brake calipers.

I recently took my car to Firestone to see if they could help with the noise my car makes when braking. It goes "pop, pop, pop..." all the way until I completely stop the car. It doesn't matter what speed I go, every single time I brake it makes the popping noise. It has been happening for about 6 months I would say. I understand if it was irresponsible for me to continue driving.

Firestone came back and said both my left and right rear calipers needed to be replaced. They also mentioned that they never saw a car with this little amount of miles that needed the calipers replaced. They quoted way too high, about $1,200 for the left and $980 for the right. I left and did not get them replaced because that number sounds insane.

Can anyone offer advice on what you think it could be? I am not a car person so I will have to take it somewhere. I would prefer to have a little understanding of what it COULD BE so when I go into another shop I won't get oversold or taken advantage of for my lack of knowledge.

Thank you all in advance!

Any chance you can record the noise for us?
Is it only when applying foot brake, or does it do this on the over run slowing down with foot off the accelerator?
Does it do this if you use the handbrake to slow down as many vehicles use the same mechanism and brake disc/caliper to do that?
When you look at the brake discs through the holes in wheel you may be able to see in some cases signs of overheating if brakes have been grabbing on or sticking, you may if look closely see one side brake pads worn more than the other.
Another thing is brake discs warping, often caused by heavy braking getting the discs hot and then driving through deep water at that level.
Another sign of brake disc warping is on heavy braking you may notice a shudder under the foot against the brake pedal, I am not talking about the point it loses traction and ABS kicks in, before that point.
If all this sounds too complicated, just ask another garage's opinion, see if they agree with Firestone, I don't know about Firestone but at many Fast Fit Depots the staff rely on commission from sales to boost the wages.

 

[vnk]

Hello all!

I have a question about my Fiat 124 Spider Lusso, 2017. It has about 65,000 miles on it. I have unpainted brake calipers.

I recently took my car to Firestone to see if they could help with the noise my car makes when braking. It goes "pop, pop, pop..." all the way until I completely stop the car. It doesn't matter what speed I go, every single time I brake it makes the popping noise. It has been happening for about 6 months I would say. I understand if it was irresponsible for me to continue driving.

Firestone came back and said both my left and right rear calipers needed to be replaced. They also mentioned that they never saw a car with this little amount of miles that needed the calipers replaced. They quoted way too high, about $1,200 for the left and $980 for the right. I left and did not get them replaced because that number sounds insane.

Can anyone offer advice on what you think it could be? I am not a car person so I will have to take it somewhere. I would prefer to have a little understanding of what it COULD BE so when I go into another shop I won't get oversold or taken advantage of for my lack of knowledge.

Thank you all in advance!

 

[vnk]

Any chance you can record the noise for us?
Is it only when applying foot brake, or does it do this on the over run slowing down with foot off the accelerator?
Does it do this if you use the handbrake to slow down as many vehicles use the same mechanism and brake disc/caliper to do that?
When you look at the brake discs through the holes in wheel you may be able to see in some cases signs of overheating if brakes have been grabbing on or sticking, you may if look closely see one side brake pads worn more than the other.
Another thing is brake discs warping, often caused by heavy braking getting the discs hot and then driving through deep water at that level.
Another sign of brake disc warping is on heavy braking you may notice a shudder under the foot against the brake pedal, I am not talking about the point it loses traction and ABS kicks in, before that point.
If all this sounds too complicated, just ask another garage's opinion, see if they agree with Firestone, I don't know about Firestone but at many Fast Fit Depots the staff rely on commission from sales to boost the wages.

Thank you for responding! I have some videos now and it seems to only be making the noise when my foot is on the brake and under 25 mph.

I’ve never used the handbrake before. I’ll attach some pictures of my rear calipers as well. In one of the videos I attached it sounds like the noise happens every tire rotation, if that makes sense.

I will definitely go to a fast fit depot instead of a fiat dealership! Thank you for that helpful tip.

 

[bugsymike]

Thank you for responding! I have some videos now and it seems to only be making the noise when my foot is on the brake and under 25 mph.

I’ve never used the handbrake before. I’ll attach some pictures of my rear calipers as well. In one of the videos I attached it sounds like the noise happens every tire rotation, if that makes sense.

I will definitely go to a fast fit depot instead of a fiat dealership! Thank you for that helpful tip.

As far as I can see from the photos it looks like at least one brake disc is rusty not shiny as though in normal working order, if that is the case and when compared with the front brake discs that they are not shiny this probably means replacing both back brake discs as a pair.
The noise to me sounds like either the brake caliper is loose or the sliders badly worn or the brake pads are very loose/worn in the calipers.
I know it is not much comfort , but I suspect the car may need re brake calipers, brake pads and discs both sides.
When driving would you say the sound was definitely coming from the back, also can you get a similar noise just using the hand brake.
Another clue may be longer handbrake travel and hard to hold the car on the handbrake when parking on a steep hill.
Can you remember what the first noise or thing you noticed when the issue started?
Did your vehicle ever sit in flood water?

 

[vnk]

Hello all!

I have a question about my Fiat 124 Spider Lusso, 2017. It has about 65,000 miles on it. I have unpainted brake calipers.

I recently took my car to Firestone to see if they could help with the noise my car makes when braking. It goes "pop, pop, pop..." all the way until I completely stop the car. It doesn't matter what speed I go, every single time I brake it makes the popping noise. It has been happening for about 6 months I would say. I understand if it was irresponsible for me to continue driving.

Firestone came back and said both my left and right rear calipers needed to be replaced. They also mentioned that they never saw a car with this little amount of miles that needed the calipers replaced. They quoted way too high, about $1,200 for the left and $980 for the right. I left and did not get them replaced because that number sounds insane.

Can anyone offer advice on what you think it could be? I am not a car person so I will have to take it somewhere. I would prefer to have a little understanding of what it COULD BE so when I go into another shop I won't get oversold or taken advantage of for my lack of knowledge.

Thank you all in advance!

For anyone interested, the issue was my wheel bearing was loose (drivers rear) and when I slowed down, it was trying to get back in place.

I brought it to Christian Brothers Automotive and they quoted hundreds of dollars for them to just take it on a test drive and look at everything. So I brought my car back to Firestone, different location, and they finally found the issue! The technician said there was absolutely nothing wrong with my rear calipers.

What he fixed on my car- wheel bearing: remove and replace wheel hub &/or bearing- rear, and rear hub assembly; belts: remove and replace serpentine drive belt; rear brake job- remove and replace brake pads-rear and new disc brake pad.

Everything works now- no more pooping noise!! thank you, bugsymike, for your recommendations. I was able to pass along this information to the technicians.

 

[bugsymike]

For anyone interested, the issue was my wheel bearing was loose (drivers rear) and when I slowed down, it was trying to get back in place.

I brought it to Christian Brothers Automotive and they quoted hundreds of dollars for them to just take it on a test drive and look at everything. So I brought my car back to Firestone, different location, and they finally found the issue! The technician said there was absolutely nothing wrong with my rear calipers.

What he fixed on my car- wheel bearing: remove and replace wheel hub &/or bearing- rear, and rear hub assembly; belts: remove and replace serpentine drive belt; rear brake job- remove and replace brake pads-rear and new disc brake pad.

Everything works now- no more pooping noise!! thank you, bugsymike, for your recommendations. I was able to pass along this information to the technicians.

Glad you have problem sorted, although I have noted in the past garages rarely like being advised what the issue might be.