Since I have been so humbled by some of the guys, I can only offer what I am good at, to you all.

So, if any of you need any automotive information, or help with a problem, I have pretty extensive resources to get the information. If I don't know the answer, I have enough resources where I should be able to come up with the answer.

Don't get me wrong, I am no expert. But I do have access to a ton of resources. I may refer you to someone that can help.

There you have it. 🙂

DOH!

I forgot to put my e-mail. LOL!

tm @ batauto . com

Okay, first question:

2003 Intrepid, 15K. Step on brakes hard, and there's a "groaning" noise in the front end. Dealer checked brakes: calips, rotors, etc. . . says everything is hunky dory. . . . snow on roads, so they wouldn't test drive. . . said the description does not match any common 'trep problems. . .

. . . it's not a new thing. . . has always done it since new. . . but only during panic stops. . . now, it's a little more frequent. .

To me, it almost sounds like a coil spring binding. . . maybe the weight transfer of a sudden stop is compressing spring, and I'm hearing the spring?? Kinda like metal twisting, without any friction ( like scraping or grinding).

Anyhoo, like I say, dealer isn't concerned, and the brakes perform fine. . . . .

. . . any ideas?

he helped me a year or so ago and ya know what, I don't think I thanked him properly

Bwahahahahaha

Seth, that sounds like it is the ABS motor.

Since you said it happens during panic stops, it sounds like it is the normal operation of the ABS motor.

The ABS motor actuates under severe braking and makes a god awful noise. Most folks who aren't used to it will often be startled by the racket it makes.

If the noise is a cross between a machine gun, rattle can and cat growl, then that is it. LOL!

bassdude,

yeah, you did. LOL!

Seth, got to thinking. If it is happening more frequently, then is the ABS light coming on?

Try this,

Find an open road that is hardly traveled, then do a panic stop, when the noise starts, lightly lift pressure on the pedal, while still keeping pressure on the brakes and see if the noise goes away, then it is the ABS motor making the noise.

Also, tell your dealer to check his TSBs again.

There is a TSB for Brakes - Front Brakes Thumping/Knocking/Pulsation NUMBER: 05-001-03 Rev. A

If you e-mail me, I will e-mail you a copy of it.

tm @ batauto . com

Nice opatience! Obviously a man who has the info, willing to share it? Very nice, let's see I just got a new van, no problems....dang, wish I had a question! LOL

Your alright in my book!

Dave

OK, what is the torque setting for the piston return springs on a Henry-J? Can I use the muffler bearings from a 59 Buick on a 52 Nash? LMAO

Wow, thank you!

It ain't easy being female when you have car trouble...the big rip-off factor...

Knock on wood (and I'm sure it's morning somewhere, lol!), that I haven't had any problems lately with my ride...

Little red Corvette................Marla

Come on Buddha, that ain't fair at all. LOL!

You have to make sure you have special muffler bearings for that vehicle. 😉

Marla,

I have alot of info on Corvettes. 😉

First off, you really deserve a debt of gratitude from all on this board. . . . offering professional knowledge such as this is truly generous. . . thank you!!

regarding my brakes: I don't have ABS. . . and of course, in the past two days, it doesn't do it at all. . . Murphy's Law. . . I'll wait until it happens again. . . thanks

btw, I think BD needs his halogen light fluid refilled!

Seth,

Not saying that you are wrong, but the Intrepid comes standard with ABS.

Did you specify to not have ABS when you ordered the vehicle? Let me know.

By all means, I could be wrong. . . I just assumed that because it was offered as a $600 option (BR-3), which I didn't get, that I didn't have them. . . I checked the window sticker, and it's not on there either. . . but, I will certainly look into it. . .

. . . . you do realize, that now that I have mentioned the noise, I'll never hear it again?

I still think it's halogen light fluid. . . .

Thanks O-man, I'll keep you posted!!

Well, it seems that the 2003 and 2004 Intrepids, the ABS is an option.

So forget everything I said. I went stupid.

Now I think that the TSB I told you about is definitely something to think about.

Did the dealer turn the rotors?

If not, then here is the info on the TSB.

A pulsation and/or thumping/popping/knocking sound may come from the front brakes when stopping. These symptoms may be caused by an uneven application of corrosion protection material to the front brake rotors during the manufacturing process. Usually the corrosion protection material unevenness is removed through normal break-in driving.

CAUTION : Drive the vehicle in an area appropriate for the maneuvers described below.

To correct the above symptom(s) for vehicles that have accumulated less than 1000 miles (1600 kilometers) ,the vehicle should be driven at 30 mph (50 kph) and the brakes applied medium hard to come to a full stop.

Drive the vehicle at 30 mph (50 kph) again for one minute to cool the brakes then apply the brakes medium hard again. Evaluate the sound/pulsation. Repeat the one minute drive and medium hard stop routine until the sound/pulsation is eliminated. If after twenty brake applications the sound/pulsation still exists, refer to the appropriate service information for front rotor refinishing procedures.

Is it ONLY when braking hard? I've had experience with many Mopar models for several years now and all of the front wheel drive models seem to exhibit the same noise. It's coming from the transaxle and it's, for lack of a better word, a 'farting' sound. It does it when coming to a stop, when first putting it into gear and sometimes when downshifting (mostly at lower speeds). Very odd noise. I've noticed it on almost all such vehicles I see. In my opinion it's just some noisy gears.

And if this isn't the noise then never mind!!!