OMG 2008 Prius screeching and grinding metal!!!!

[Twickle Purple]

I checked out the other threads about noise and they didn't quite capture what we had happen the other night. We've not driven the car since.

Whether was mild and dry, we were driving home from picking up take out and going about 35 - 45 mph and all of a sudden it sounds like we dropped something out of the front end of the car. Like metal dragging on the ground (think dragging muffler) but different, and it was LOUD. We pulled over and couldn't see anything underneath with a small flashlight (it was night). We were freaked to drive it home. This car is new for us, less than 600 miles and we know it's different, but from everything I've learned about it, it's a pretty flawless car... So we go slow and screech like mad. When I reversed there was no noise, but going forward brought it about. Finally to loosen what ever it was, or kill the damn thing completely, we just floored it and then hit the brakes -- and it stopped, the noise that is.

So it sits. We're afraid of it. Couple of weinees that we are.

[tochatihu]

The most similar reports I have seen posted relate to a small stone getting stuck between one of the front brake disks and its (inner) backing plate (dust cover?). Still to be cautious, a trip to the Toyota shop would be appropriate to check for DTCs. If it drives w/o making noise, just go. If the noise is still present, you'd have to consider a flatbed tow.

If you can inspect the front brakes at home (easier with the wheel removed), you might find the source of the noise. Let us know...

[geraldc]

I agree with the last post. This happened to us too soon after we got our 2006 car. It sounded terrible and we thought we had a major mechanical fault. We got home, jacked up the wheel and removed it. there was a small stone lodged in between the brake disk and the metal shield for the disk. It was easily prised out with a screw driver. I thought it might have scored the disk. Took it to Toyota but they said no problem.

[Twickle Purple]

And this is OKAY with Toyota? I've owned dozens of cars and never had anything like this before. I would think it's a flaw. Do the garages do a fix, or is it, welcome to the world of Pri?

[Rae Vynn]

It's a standard disc brake. Just like every other car with disc brakes.
I've had it happen to me, once, on a VW. OMG, it IS scary sounding!

The rock has to be JUST the right size, and hit the rotor JUST right, so this is pretty rare... but not unheard of.

If your dealer or shop tries to charge you for removing an errant rock from your brake, I'd change shops. Period.

[Twickle Purple]

Thanks for all the responses here. I appreciate your input!

Originally Posted by Rae Vynn

It's a standard disc brake. Just like every other car with disc brakes.
I've had it happen to me, once, on a VW. OMG, it IS scary sounding!

The rock has to be JUST the right size, and hit the rotor JUST right, so this is pretty rare... but not unheard of.

If your dealer or shop tries to charge you for removing an errant rock from your brake, I'd change shops. Period.

Rae Vynn, I talked to the service dept and they gave me a couple scenarios and they pretty much said what you did: right size rock in the right spot. I'm going in to get my winter wheels swapped with summer and they're going to give the area a once over. If they charge me (for that part) I'll raise hell.

Cheers,
TP

[Northbend08]

You can often dislodge the pebble by pulling/pushing the shield away from the disk without removing the wheel. On other cars, I'd warn you that the disk could be very hot.

I get about one stuck rock per year driving at high speeds on mud and gravel.

[Twickle Purple]

Thanks again for the info folks. I took it to the shop today and they confirmed that it was a bit of debris which was still there. No damage done though it sounded like the darn thing was screaming its death nell. Won't mind never having that again.

[tochatihu]

i'd like to say that you won't be tagged twice, but these are 'independent events'. The best news is that you will be fully prepared and calm if your brakes every make another lucky catch.

No, I take that back. The best news is that your pals at priuschat made the obvious guess (based on previous posts) and got it right this time.

[nfschlaack]

Originally Posted by Twickle Purple

Whether was mild and dry, we were driving home from picking up take out and going about 35 - 45 mph and all of a sudden it sounds like we dropped something out of the front end of the car. Like metal dragging on the ground (think dragging muffler) but different, and it was LOUD. We pulled over and couldn't see anything underneath with a small flashlight (it was night). We were freaked to drive it home. This car is new for us, less than 600 miles and we know it's different, but from everything I've learned about it, it's a pretty flawless car... So we go slow and screech like mad. When I reversed there was no noise, but going forward brought it about. Finally to loosen what ever it was, or kill the damn thing completely, we just floored it and then hit the brakes -- and it stopped, the noise that is.

Same exact thing happened to me. Kinda put two and two together as to what the problem was. I live in an area where the city sprays down oil then puts gravel on top of it. After the noise started, I purposely looked for decent sized bumps. After hitting one, the rock came loose and the grinding stopped instantly. I'm with you though, a very unnerving sound!