Brake Grinding - Dealer Rip-Off?

[cracker196]

My '03 WRX has been through a lot in the last few months. I recently had to have a control arm and bearing replaced after sliding in the rain and hitting a curb. Before that accident, my WRX brakes were working fine.

After the accident a squeaking noise appeared from the right front wheel (where I hit the curb) while the car was moving. The noise stopped when I braked. About a week later, in addition to the squeaking, there was a bad grinding noise coming from the brakes as I pressed the brake pedal only slightly. If I pressed the brakes hard, it did not make the grinding.

I took it to the dealer, told them there was something wrong with the brakes. They tell me that the rotors need to be ground down on both front brakes because they are warped (I assume for symmetry as there was no problem with the left brake that I could hear).

I accept this diagnosis, however they want $70 per wheel for an hour of work to disassemble the brakes and machine them down. My car has only 16,500 miles on it. A lot of those miles came from driving between school (in the Midwest) and home (in California). Not exactly track time.

I do not see how the rotors could already be worn (the technician said he's seen STi's come in after 4,000). I do not drive overly aggressively. But I also do not see how they are not covered under warranty. I understand the argument that if they perceive that I was driving too aggressively, they do not have to honor the warranty on such parts as the brakes. But the technician told me a curious thing at the end of our conversation. He said if my car had only 12,000 miles, the brakes would be under warranty and they would machine them for free.

Sorry for the very long explanation. Please help with any comments you might have.

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[thrdeye]

You could take the rotors off and take them to a shop and get it done for about $30.

Rotors are easy to remove on the WRX.

[Kean]

Pads/linings are covered under the 3/30 warranty (mine were ). However, it would be a different story if they could connect your problem to the accident you had. Personally, I think it's either just a coincidence (unlikely), or your issue is a direct result of your contact with the curb. .......although I don't see how that would "warp" your rotors. I'm sure they are just making that assumption based on the symptoms and info provided. Did they know about the accident?

[RexyGirl]

Your brake rotors are probably not warped. There is a brake "shime" that sits behind the brake pads. It is very possible that that thin piece of metal was bent in the accident and is rubbing on your rotors. I would call your insurance company and have them reinspect your vehicle. It should be covered as related to the accident.

P.S. If your brake rotors were warped, the usually do not cause a scraping sound...they cause the car to vibrate when braking. If you did not have the accident, the brakes would be covered under your 3/36 warranty for everything..pad replacement, rotor resurface, etc.

Call your insurance company

[cracker196]

I should clarify a few points.

First, the sqeaking noise gets more persistent as I accelerate.

The rubbing or grinding noise I hear under light braking does not cause the car to vibrate.

I did not use my insurance company. I took the car to the dealer to get the repairs done and left insurance out.

Thank you to everyone who has replied.

[North Ursalia]

Your brake noise showed up after you slammed into a curb. Why would they warranty something that is reasonably attributed to your accident?


Brian

[RexyGirl]

Originally Posted by cracker196

I should clarify a few points.

First, the sqeaking noise gets more persistent as I accelerate.

The rubbing or grinding noise I hear under light braking does not cause the car to vibrate.

I did not use my insurance company. I took the car to the dealer to get the repairs done and left insurance out.

Thank you to everyone who has replied.

1. The shim could be bent and rubbing against the rotor, the noise will get louder the faster you go.

2. Talk to the service manager or go to another dealer for a second opinion-You may have to pay for it, becuase they will know the car has been damage. Tell them everything that happened so they know what they are looking for.

3. You're Welcome

[Unsung Boxer]

Symptoms of warped rotors: a vibration in the steering wheel while braking. This does not make a squeal sound while accelerating. Squeeling is caused by something rubbing agaisnt the rotor. i.e. rock, shim, wear indicator. When you had your brakes looked at, they should have told you "percent of padlife remaining."

The technician may be right about the rotors being warped, however, it does not explain the sound that you are hearing. Go get another opinion.

(unsung)
<---also notice my tag.

[jtemplin]

I am officially bringing this thread back from the dead.

This is the EXACT same problem im having with my car.
It began with a squeaking thats frequency was determined by the speed of the car, then became a braking squeal sound, which had about the same audible pattern as the other sounds. All sounds I am hearing are more or less the same with slight variances in there "harmonic properties"(whatever, lol ).

The sound does not seem to be tied to any kind of motion feedback.

I even had the same kind of accident and the same year RS (same basic suspension at least ). Except my accident was over a year ago, and involved the front left wheel. So your problem is not necessarily causally related at all.

Have you had a resolution to this problem?!?! I would love to hear it.

PS...
One question: Did you experience a dramatic increase in the sound when taking hard left turns? I experience this when taking hard right turns.

[joein3d]

I was in a similar accident and am having the same problem. I have been through two new sets of rotors but the sound keeps coming back after a few months. Has anyone found a solution?