Intermittent but exasperating. My HHR LT, 75k miles, started doing this clunky, scraping sort of noise as I brake for stop signs/lights. I don't hear it as I brake going down the road, only when I'm coming to a stop. As I slow down, it starts going clunk/scrape, clunk/scraaape, clunk-clunk-clunk scraaaaaape. (Sorry, but that's pretty much the way it sounds!) It goes along with the tire revolution and it seems to be coming from the driver's front side only. It doesn't happen every time, though, which makes it even more mysterious! I can't feel it happening in the steering wheel or brake pedal. Brakes were checked, they're supposedly fine. Had my tires and struts replaced last month and it didn't do anything about the noise. It sounds horrible and scares me a bit, and my mechanic can't seem to figure it out. He took apart the calipers to see if there was road crap in them, but nada. Brake pads are fine. Both wheel bearings have been replaced within last year. It's killing me not knowing exactly what it is! Anyone have this issue?? Thanks, y'all!

 

Did anyone think to look at the Lower Control Arm bushings? Get a new mechanic if the answer is "no".

Why does the length of time since replacement rule out at least checking the hubs?

Are the brake wear "screechers" installed correctly?

 

Hmm check to see if the splash shield behind the rotor is bent or damaged causing it to rub up against the rotor

Number 7 in this parts picture



And what Don said X2

 

Exact same problem here. What did you find working for you?
My brake pads are brand new, hubs less than a year old, new tires. Everything was running smoothly then after some winter road driving and perhaps a couple of potholes, that exact sound you described happens when braking at lower speed. Like scratch.... scratchhh..... scratchhhhh.... scratchhhhhhh and stop.

 

Grit in the pads?

 

When you come to a stop, does it seem that the car keeps going? LCA bushings.

 

The sound might be deceiving and coming from the rear wheels instead of front. Maybe rear brake. According to the passenger side it's coming from rear of vehicule. Strange. Gonna check it soon.

** No I removed both front wheels and installed brand new pads, did not see anything. No the vehicule doesn't want to keep going when braking, just that noise.
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Double check the little springs where the pads fit into the calliper bracket, sometimes they can contact the rotors , also ensure the wear indicator is on the correct side , the inside pad.

 

How is this possible ?
Pads make you stop.
For all others reading along, LCA means Lower Control Arm bushings.

 

The worn out bushings allow the LCA to rotate almost an inch . This extra motion makes the brakes seem inadequate.