My front brakes seem to lock up and make a moaning sound

Tiny
KIM MILLS JACKSON
  • MEMBER
  • 1997 DODGE CARAVAN
  • 3.3L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 222,000 MILES
With new pads, rotors, caliper my front brakes seem to lock up and make a moaning sound only in wet slushy snow. I get stopped and go again and if it's dry they don't lock up again, if not they will lock again.
Saturday, February 27th, 2021 AT 1:14 PM

6 Replies

Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
Can you get a video of this? This sounds like a you are getting an ABS activation. Meaning when you step on the brakes, the ABS module thinks one tire is slipping and it pulses the brakes which could be the noise you are hearing.

Also, are you sure that they are actually locking up? Meaning they are not spinning and you are skidding to a stop? Or does it feel like you are sliding so it seems like you are locking them up?

The fact that you are getting this only in wet snow is what tells me this may be the ABS event. If there was an issue with the vehicle, I would expect it to do this all the time as the vehicle doesn't know it is snowing. It only knows if a tire is losing traction.

Let's start with a video and go from there. Thanks
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Sunday, February 28th, 2021 AT 4:17 PM
Tiny
KIM MILLS JACKSON
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Not sure about video, but was thinking the ABS also, so any suggestions as where to start there?
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Monday, March 1st, 2021 AT 6:44 PM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
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Okay. Is this something that you can get to act up when you want? Meaning does it do it all the time or is it only on wet roads? If this is only on wet roads when the vehicle is sliding then it may be normal. Clearly I am not seeing this issue so I am just going off of how I understand it and I may not be understanding it correctly.
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Tuesday, March 2nd, 2021 AT 5:13 PM
Tiny
NICKOLAOSF
  • MECHANIC
  • 69 POSTS
Hi Kim Mills Jackson,

We can help you with this information. This sounds like you have brake issue and you should see service bulletin. Check out the diagrams (below).
Then report back with exactly what you have performed repairs and if noise is coming from the rear. You will have to figure out where your issue is front or rear, was it doing that before parts were replaced? Let us know what happens and please upload pictures or videos of the problem any lights showing on your dash.

Cheers, Nick
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Tuesday, March 2nd, 2021 AT 6:15 PM
Tiny
KIM MILLS JACKSON
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
No, I can't. It does not do it all the time only in the slushy snow. It is like they grab and don't release making the moaning sound and of course I slid but it's like they won't release until I come to a complete stop, then when I take off they won't do it again if I am not in wet snow. They never did this before replacing all front parts.
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Wednesday, March 3rd, 2021 AT 9:12 PM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
This does sound like an ABS activation.

If when it does this then you come to a stop and release the brake pedal and it drives normal, again this is an ABS activation. Lastly the fact that this only happens in slippery conditions when an ABS event would be expected, sounds like this is normal.

The fact that this didn't start until after you had all new brakes up front could be due to the fact that you had to brake harder before to get the same reaction from the brakes that you no longer have to do. So if you are stepping on the brakes with the same force, you could be locking them up and the ABS comes on to keep you from skidding.

If you can go to a parking lot that is covered in snow, try braking very softly and see if they lock up. The fact that the brakes operate normally in all other times except in slippery wet conditions, tells us the brakes are working as they should. So if we can get the brakes to operate normally in slippery conditions by braking softly then we know it is most likely normal.

Does this make sense? Thanks
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Thursday, March 4th, 2021 AT 6:14 PM

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