Brakes are ratcheting and makes clicking sound

Brake Ratchet and Makes Clicking noise

Q: I changed the ball joints on 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4 wheel drive. After that  brakes act strange. It seems my ABS is acting up and I hear a clicking sound as I increase in speed.When I apply the brakes it sounds like my brakes are ratcheting.


A: Take a look at the front axles of your jeep just where they enter the hub assembly. You should see a part that looks like a gear that is mounted on the axle. That gear is called a toner ring. As the teeth/gear looking part of the toner ring pass by the wheel speed sensor, a signal is created that the ABS system uses to monitor wheel speed. If a tooth is broken off the gear, the ABS computer will think that the wheel is turning at a different speed. This will cause the ABS computer to become active when it doesn't have to be. It doesn't take much to mess up the toner ring or even the sensor. I would suggest a close inspection of these components on both sides of the vehicle for possible damage. Any signs of damage will require replacement of the sensor, or if the toner ring is damaged the axle will have to be replaced. The toner ring is not sold separately.

Squeaking Brakes

Jeep Cherokee Brake Squeaks


Q: Brake job done on our 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee back in April of 1998. A few weeks later I went back because the brakes were squealing. They said, "It's supposed to sound like that because there is no more asbestos in the brakes". They also said, "It will wear off after I run the car a while and put on a few miles". I recently took it back again in June of this year. Again they said, "Nothing is wrong, they are suppose to squeal". I asked them," How come the brakes don't squeal on the new cars in this lot?" No reply! My question to you. What do you think? Is there anything I can do about this?... Squeaking brakes!!!!!!!

A: Well, you've got them. The brakes are not supposed to squeal on your vehicle, but the noise doesn't mean the brakes are unsafe, there could be other factors. The squealing noise is an indication that not all the necessary procedures were followed while the brake job was being performed, or that the friction material used on the brakes was of questionable quality. The high frequency squealing sound, when braking, is caused by brake pads vibrating. Improper assembly procedures are the most common cause for brake squeal. Proper inspection, preparation, cleaning and lubrication of braking components is critical in preventing brake squeal. Also, realize that not all braking materials, brake pads or shoes, are created equal. Discount brake pads or shoes are not of the same quality engineering and material as original equipment or quality aftermarket brakes. It's like re-capped tires compared to radials tires. They both do the same job but...

Repetitive Brake Problems

Brake Issues Occur Again n Again on Jeep

Regarding Jeep Grand Cherokee, Brake Problems
Q: My vehicle is 97 Grand Cherokee with 55k miles. Wee just replaced 4th set of  brakes put on including the original set. The rotors and pads were replaced each time. That equals a new set approximately every 14k miles. It is driven in very mild conditions around town with no heavy braking. It always has the same problem. The brakes feel like they engage and disengage as you come to a stop. It gives a slow pulsing sensation.

The first evaluation always offered is warped rotors. The problem is that immediately after a brake job you still can feel this problem. It’s milder at first and then becomes more pronounced as time goes on. I also know it has nothing to do with the rear brakes because if you use the hand brake to stop you don’t get the symptom.

The second theory is some type of ABS malfunction.This has been completely dismissed by the dealer.

Any idea what the problem could be??

A: How about checking the hub that the brake rotors are mounted on? Just the day of answering your letter we a had a Mercury Crown Vic in the shop that had a brake pulsation complaint. Diagnosis indicated that the front brake rotors were the problem. From what we were told, they had been a problem for sometime. As often as possible we’ll machine the brake rotors on the vehicle. When the equipment was installed on the vehicle to machine the rotors there was a problem. The computer, yes we used computerized equipment to perform this task, was at a loss. It could not calibrate itself properly, meaning it needed help from a carbon based life form (humans). Inspection found that the hub that the brake rotor set on was off by .003" of an inch. Now .003" of an inch is just about 2 hairs stacked. That’s not much you may say. But, in the world of brakes that adds up to a lot when you carry that line out another 4 to 5". My point is that no matter how many brake rotors are installed on this vehicle the brakes will always end up pulsating,, which could very well be the problem with your vehicle. They just have to look deeper. As for the Crown Vic, there is no silicone based form (computer) that can problem solve the way the carbon forms do.