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Brake noises - normal or not?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Technical Discussion' started by Eoin, Mar 31, 2011.

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  1. Eoin

    Eoin Active Member

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    Are brake noises normal for the 2010 Prius? I often hear little grunts or barks when I push on the brake - sounds like air or gas. Should I take it in or ignore it?
    Thanks.

    Since no one has responded, I assume no one else has these noises?
     
    #1 Eoin, Mar 31, 2011
  2. unkprius

    unkprius Member

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    I gave up analyzing/worrying about all the grunts, groans, burps, whirrs, buzzes, wheezes, clicks, pops, hisses that my Prius makes.
     
    #2 unkprius, Apr 1, 2011
    TheEnglishman likes this.
  3. Eoin

    Eoin Active Member

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    Thanks for your reply. I guess these noises are "normal". But I don't like hearing little grunts when I step on the brake. My 2005 does not do it. Otherwise, the car is perfect.
     
    #3 Eoin, Apr 1, 2011
  4. adamace1

    adamace1 Senior Member

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    My brakes make a few...

    GRRRRRRRRRRR, Click Click, BBBBBBGBGBGBGBGBGB, Cluck, tick, GRRMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM.
     
    #4 adamace1, Apr 1, 2011
  5. paprius4030

    paprius4030 My first Prius

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    Ditto for me:D
     
    #5 paprius4030, Apr 1, 2011
  6. Eoin

    Eoin Active Member

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    That's it exactly!

    But don't you think these noises are annoying?
    Ok. I'll just crank up the sat radio, as usual.
     
    #6 Eoin, Apr 1, 2011
  7. LulzChicken

    LulzChicken Prius Enthusiast

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    It's normal.
     
    #7 LulzChicken, Apr 1, 2011
  8. tpfun

    tpfun New Member

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    The HSD/braking are largely unchanged from the Gen II to III.

    Perhaps, the additional sounds are from the ers coolant/water/fluids sloshing around but that still doesn't explain the "gaseous" noises.
     
    #8 tpfun, Apr 1, 2011
  9. twittel

    twittel Senior Member

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    I'm assuming those noises are the hybrid system's electronics recycling, but assuming you have warranty, it wouldn't be much for the dealer check out.
     
    #9 twittel, Apr 1, 2011
  10. Eoin

    Eoin Active Member

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    Thanks for the responses.

    I just took the car in and they say it is not normal. They may have to bleed the system or order a part (not sure yet what). The service manager said there are no service bulletins about it but he has heard of the same problem. I will post again when it is finished.
     
    #10 Eoin, Apr 4, 2011
  11. Eoin

    Eoin Active Member

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    Problem is fixed. The service manager said that less than 1% of the Priuses have the problem I had. There is no TSB on it. They had to phone Toyota about it (not sure where). Luckily, someone had heard of the problem with brake noises.

    They had to bleed the brakes and also reflash the computer software controlling the solenoids. Covered by warranty. It would have cost over $300.00

    Now there are no toots or grunts every time I brake. What a relief. Thanks for all the responses. Maybe this will help anyone with a similar problem.
     
    #11 Eoin, Apr 5, 2011
  12. Eoin

    Eoin Active Member

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    Just out of curiosity, does anyone have any idea what might have caused this? I was thinking the software for the braking system might have been changed incorrectly when they updated it.
     
    #12 Eoin, Apr 7, 2011
  13. Eoin

    Eoin Active Member

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    Unfortunately, the noise is starting to come back. After 10 days of nothing, I heard the "grunt" a few times under firm braking. I assume that air is getting back into the system. I will take it into the dealer this Saturday. Does this mean a part has to be replaced?
     
    #13 Eoin, Apr 14, 2011
  14. HI MPG

    HI MPG Active Member

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    Mine doesn't "grunt" but it does click, especially at the very end of the braking phase (15mph-0). At first it almost sounded like I had a nail or screw in tire as that is what it sounds like, but these are my second set of rims/tires and the clicking continues... And maybe it's just me, but I noticed that my car doesn't regen brake as "strongly" as it did when when. It definitely feels like it coasts a bit further when I lift off accelerator before the regen kicks in.
     
    #14 HI MPG, Apr 14, 2011
  15. Eoin

    Eoin Active Member

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    You don't mean the click from the brake light switch, do you? I can hear that. The noise I have is definitely the sound of air releasing. Air must be getting into the system somehow.
     
    #15 Eoin, Apr 14, 2011
  16. HI MPG

    HI MPG Active Member

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    ^^ No, I don't think it's the brake light switch. It's not a one time click as I press on the brake pedal. As I'm on the brakes coming to a stop, right at about the 15MPH range, I start to hear the clicking. Imagine if you had a nail stuck in your tire... the sound goes: click.... (one revolution of wheel), click (one revolution of wheel), click... etc. That's what it sounds like but within shorter intervals.
    Yours does sound like air pressure releasing though... do you feel any change in brake pressure as the grunt is happening?
     
    #16 HI MPG, Apr 14, 2011
  17. Eoin

    Eoin Active Member

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    Yes, there is a slight vibration in the brake pedal when the noise happens.
    Your clicking sound sounds like it might be coming from the pads.
     
    #17 Eoin, Apr 14, 2011
  18. Eoin

    Eoin Active Member

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    A google search revealed a TSB for the gen 2 Prius that sounds very much the same as the problem I have. It is TSB 0307-08 Brake Actuator Noise. It recommends bleeding the system and if that does not solve the noise, then replacing the brake actuator. In my case, this probably needs to be done.
     
    #18 Eoin, Apr 14, 2011
  19. Eoin

    Eoin Active Member

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    It's strange - today there was no noise. So the problem is intermittent. Hope it just goes away.
     
    #19 Eoin, Apr 15, 2011
  20. marpet

    marpet New Member

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    I am having the clicking noise situation on my 2009 Prius. I just purchased it 2 months ago and ma going crazy. Have brought it in 5 times now to 3 different locations in Los Angeles and they say it's normal. IT'S NOT NORMAL.

    PLEASE...if you have made any head way on this matter...PLEASE let me know!!!
     
    #20 marpet, Aug 10, 2011
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