Ebrake is clunking

Tiny
JASONCYATES
  • MEMBER
  • 2005 HYUNDAI SONATA
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 170,000 MILES
About six weeks ago the brake warning light came on. I checked the e-brake to make sure it was off several times pushing down hard to be sure it was all the way down. It was. Checked the brake pads they are about 60%. Checked brake fluid it is at the appropriate level. Went about my business not thinking much of it. Last weekend I decided to test the e-brake while I was coasting. It did not do much, but after a hard pull it eventually slowed the car a bit. I released it. Then, about thirty seconds later at about thirty mph cruising speed on a flat surface, a loud clunking noise from the back of the car started. It was rhythmic clunk, clunk, clunk, clunk seeming to coincide with the rotation of the wheels. I pulled over and parked. Got out looked things over. Got back into traffic, noise was gone. About sixty seconds later, after reaching thirty or thirty five mph, the sound started again. Repeated the process. I turned around and drove home. Each time, after pulling over, the clunking went away. Then it would start back up again after reaching about thirty mph more or less. This morning I took both rear wheels off, checked to be sure there are no noticeably loose parts. There are no loose parts that I could tell. Caliper bolts are tight. The wheels were on tight before I dismounted them. Nothing jiggles. On the rear passenger side, there is a metal on metal sound when I turn the wheel hub. But I cannot turn the wheel more than maybe an eighth turn as it is locked. So, we have a brake light on, a clunking noise at thirty mph and a little metal on metal sound on the rear passenger wheel. Any ideas?
Saturday, June 3rd, 2017 AT 11:07 AM

3 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,883 POSTS
Hello,

The parking brake has a set of brake shoes inside the brake rotor and it sound like something is going on like one of the springs has broken.

Here is a video that will give you an idea on how to take it part so you can get the problem fixed.

https://youtu.be/G5M_xKIxUb4

As far as the brake light being on please check the fluid level again in the master or it could be a bad level sensor or the parking brake lever switch needs to be adjusted or replaced.

Please let us know what happens, we are interested to see what it is.

Cheers, Ken

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Tuesday, April 28th, 2020 AT 1:22 PM
Tiny
JASONCYATES
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Thank you Ken, you were right. I ended up taking the parking brake shoes and assembly out for now. Clunking gone. Metal on metal gone. It looks like something caused them to be in the open position. It might be the cable, etc. Going to troubleshoot so we can get the parking brake working again.
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Tuesday, April 28th, 2020 AT 1:22 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,883 POSTS
God to hear you could get the problem fixed. Apply a small amount of wd40 to the cables and the release mechanism to ensure the shoes are returning to their neutral position.

We are here to help, please use 2CarPros anytime.

Cheers, Ken
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Tuesday, April 28th, 2020 AT 1:22 PM

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