Noise from driver side rear when braking

[Qashqai]

Here comes another strange noise...

Tonight when I enter a drive-through Burger King I rolled down my window and when I press the brake pedal I heard a metal tick noise. Like a metal spring. Even my wife heard and said "what was that?". It was that much loud. It didn't happen when for the next 5-6 brakes and then we heard it again. When I press the brake a spring-like noise. Like a clung or metallic click. Last month I cleaned the brakes on the front wheels. but I didn't clean the rears (I was planing to clean them every two years - next Summer tire change, since most of the brake load is on front brakes...just my thought). Should I clean the rears? I can't remove the drum though. I am a DIY type of guy but that part is complicated. Maybe that spring is the service brake's spring?

That car is at 16.000 kms (9.900 miles) and I didn't have that much problems with my 2002 Hyundai Sonata (a Hyundai...can you imagine?)...and now we have this "leave collecting behind the front mud flaps problem". If I could return back in time, I would NEVER buy this car. I should buy a crappy North American Ford or Chevrolet. At least it is a crappy North American Car. I spent 37.000 CAD (still 22.000 CAD left to pay!!!) for this car just because it is "Nissan"...now I have to clean the leaves from the body openings, put electric tape over the rocker panels because the rubber weather strips are scratching them, I can't adjust the headrests of the rear sit for my sister, because they are not adjustable, I have to go to junkyard to find a center console tray (probably a 10 dollar piece for Nissan), I have to find a solution to remove the scratches over the instrument clusters plastic cover because it is all scratched. I am really annoyed!

[ImStricken06]

Here comes another strange noise...

Tonight when I enter a drive-through Burger King I rolled down my window and when I press the brake pedal I heard a metal tick noise. Like a metal spring. Even my wife heard and said "what was that?". It was that much loud. It didn't happen when for the next 5-6 brakes and then we heard it again. When I press the brake a spring-like noise. Like a clung or metallic click. Last month I cleaned the brakes on the front wheels. but I didn't clean the rears (I was planing to clean them every two years - next Summer tire change, since most of the brake load is on front brakes...just my thought). Should I clean the rears? I can't remove the drum though. I am a DIY type of guy but that part is complicated. Maybe that spring is the service brake's spring?

its the e-brake spring. the e-brake only works the rear brakes in cars, and its on a cable - so the spring returns the cable.
you sure you didnt have the ebrake engaged, even slightly?

[Qashqai]

its the e-brake spring. the e-brake only works the rear brakes in cars, and its on a cable - so the spring returns the cable.
you sure you didnt have the ebrake engaged, even slightly?

The e-brake is the one that you activate by pressing the small pedal, right? No it wasn't engaged. This morning I only heard twice. I reversed the car from the driveway, press the break (no noise), then shift to D and drive until I reach to the first STOP sign, I break and I heard that noise (I am not sure where it is coming, from rear for sure but from driver side or passenger side?? I don't know). I didn't hear again until I reach work.

[ImStricken06]

its the e-brake spring. the e-brake only works the rear brakes in cars, and its on a cable - so the spring returns the cable.
you sure you didnt have the ebrake engaged, even slightly?

The e-brake is the one that you activate by pressing the small pedal, right? No it wasn't engaged. This morning I only heard twice. I reversed the car from the driveway, press the break (no noise), then shift to D and drive until I reach to the first STOP sign, I break and I heard that noise (I am not sure where it is coming, from rear for sure but from driver side or passenger side?? I don't know). I didn't hear again until I reach work.

yes the e-brake is the small pedal all the way on the left.

you might have a sticky shoe in the drum. it happens from dirt accumulated in there. its not uncommon in any car. it might also be just regular brake noise. its hard to tell because im not there.

brakes are funny on any car. its not just the rogue. brakes are exposed to every puddle, rain, dirt, dust, grime, and anything else you drive into. plus they get incredible hot almost instantly, and then cold again. they are exposed to a lot of extremes.

question: what have you done to your car recently? car wash? rain? humid weather? off-road? dusty road? etc. anything in the past 3-5days.

also, check that stabilizer bar that you wanted to lube, clean. that often will cause noise when stopping (weight is transferred forward) and then returned back to 50/50 and the bar makes a noise. sometimes the weight is only transferred once you let go of the pedal. grab the bar and jiggle the s*** out of it and see if you can make that noise again.


DO YOURSELF A FAVOR STEP ON THE E-BRAKE GIVE IT A MINUTE AND THEN RELEASE IT. PUT SOME TENSION ON THAT SPRING AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS AFTER YOU RELEASE IT.

[Qashqai]

I thought that small brake pedal is called "service brake" or "parking brake". Learning new things everyday...

Answer to your question: Yes it is raining like crazy for the last 3-4 day in Ottawa. Everywhere is wet and humid.

Tonight I will grab that stabilizer bar and jiggle it. I hope I won't brake. I am not a tiny guy!

You said "STEP ON THE E-BRAKE GIVE IT A MINUTE AND THEN RELEASE IT". It is during driving at the parking lot at very low speeds right? just a little bit, maybe 2-3 clicks on the e-brake right? I just wanted to be sure before ending up in a tree


My wife said I should turn on the radio and stop listening to the car...maybe she is right.

And by the way, thank you ImStricken for all your replies and helps. You are really helpful. Thank you. I don't know how you find time to reply all the posts and help everyone (you even remember I had issues with stabilizer bar).

I am dreaming a house, my neigbour on one side is you and the other side is Philip (with his new Mazda ) and Kerrton right across the street...

[ImStricken06]

I thought that small brake pedal is called "service brake" or "parking brake". Learning new things everyday...

Answer to your question: Yes it is raining like crazy for the last 3-4 day in Ottawa. Everywhere is wet and humid.

Tonight I will grab that stabilizer bar and jiggle it. I hope I won't brake. I am not a tiny guy!

You said "STEP ON THE E-BRAKE GIVE IT A MINUTE AND THEN RELEASE IT". It is during driving at the parking lot at very low speeds right? just a little bit, maybe 2-3 clicks on the e-brake right? I just wanted to be sure before ending up in a tree


My wife said I should turn on the radio and stop listening to the car...maybe she is right.

And by the way, thank you ImStricken for all your replies and helps. You are really helpful. Thank you. I don't know how you find time to reply all the posts and help everyone (you even remember I had issues with stabilizer bar).

I am dreaming a house, my neigbour on one side is you and the other side is Philip (with his new Mazda ) and Kerrton right across the street...

thank you for the kind words, it means a lot and yes, that would be one interesting neighborhood block. we'd have checkered race flags hanging on every street corner sign signifying our rule over the neighborhood. lol


-no no - park the car, turn it off. and apply the parking/e-brake. then release it. (i would never want you to apply it while driving as it will cause a drift/fish tail.) the only reason i want you to try this is to put tension on the spring and then release it. might help it get into its normal seating position.
you might be hearing the spring & drum shoes or the regular brake pads simply gripping the rotor under normal condition. wetness causes the brake dust rust up, and once its jammed between the pad & rotor it can cause really loud grinding/sand-paper like noise/ and other strange noises. Personally i think thats your lubed up stabilizer bar rubbing up against its now slippery rubber bushings.

[Pescakl1]

How many times did you use the parking brake since you have the car?
By not using it, it may have rusted.
At least, use it once every month.

[Qashqai]

I use it everyday from day one.

[Qashqai]

Yesterday I was trying to park my car in a closed parking lot. Normally my parting attempts last for 5 minutes (after spending a lot of time to find a perfect spot - which is usually the farthest edge). I move forward and backward to come closer to the edge. While I was going back and forth, I hear that tick noise every time.

My concern is not a dirt or rust causing the noise but a broken piece. So today I will take it to the dealer. They will inspect the brake (for 60 $). Yes just for an inspection...I hope something is broken and they will change is for free under warranty, then they can't charge for inspection because it is a complaint due to a broken piece which is covered under warranty... We will see. They will probably lift the car, remove the tires and look at the brakes and say "they are dirty, we need to clean them". At that point, since nothing is broken, I will probably say NO, because it will cost at least another 150 $.

[ImStricken06]

Yesterday I was trying to park my car in a closed parking lot. Normally my parting attempts last for 5 minutes (after spending a lot of time to find a perfect spot - which is usually the farthest edge). I move forward and backward to come closer to the edge. While I was going back and forth, I hear that tick noise every time.

My concern is not a dirt or rust causing the noise but a broken piece. So today I will take it to the dealer. They will inspect the brake (for 60 $). Yes just for an inspection...I hope something is broken and they will change is for free under warranty, then they can't charge for inspection because it is a complaint due to a broken piece which is covered under warranty... We will see. They will probably lift the car, remove the tires and look at the brakes and say "they are dirty, we need to clean them". At that point, since nothing is broken, I will probably say NO, because it will cost at least another 150 $.

you should have just lifted the car and take 1 wheel off at a time - and inspect anything that appears to be broken, loose, or not like the other brakes, and then just spray brake cleaner. the more time you spend there - the more familiar you become - and the easier it will be to diagnose problems.
i hope it works in your favor. update us please

[Qashqai]

update us please

Sorry ImStricken, I didn't see your message.

Here is an update:

I went to the dealer. They lift the car, remove all the wheels. I did the maintenance of the front brakes, so they found nothing wrong with them. however, for the rear ones:

1-My mechanic said, he found a small gravel somewhere inside the brake system (I didn't understand where he found it). He looks like a knowledgeable guy and I am pretty sure he wasn't joking.
2-Service advisor said, that noise was normal for new cars, since their brakes need to be adjusted after a while. After "adjusting", the noise should be gone. (my mechanic didn't adjust anything. He even didn't open the drums).

So, none of these two diagnoses satisfied me, but the mechanic cleaned the rear brakes. The noise is completely gone.

I think that noise was not due to a "dirty" brake system, because I know what a dirty brake sounds like front the front brakes. But at least now it is silent.

Normally I should pay $75 for brake inspection (not cleaning, just inspection) but I paid nothing. That is the best part of the story!

[ImStricken06]

update us please

Sorry ImStricken, I didn't see your message.

Here is an update:

I went to the dealer. They lift the car, remove all the wheels. I did the maintenance of the front brakes, so they found nothing wrong with them. however, for the rear ones:

1-My mechanic said, he found a small gravel somewhere inside the brake system (I didn't understand where he found it). He looks like a knowledgeable guy and I am pretty sure he wasn't joking.
2-Service advisor said, that noise was normal for new cars, since their brakes need to be adjusted after a while. After "adjusting", the noise should be gone. (my mechanic didn't adjust anything. He even didn't open the drums).

So, none of these two diagnoses satisfied me, but the mechanic cleaned the rear brakes. The noise is completely gone.

I think that noise was not due to a "dirty" brake system, because I know what a dirty brake sounds like front the front brakes. But at least now it is silent.

Normally I should pay $75 for brake inspection (not cleaning, just inspection) but I paid nothing. That is the best part of the story!

drum brakes can catch a lot of crap. drums also at time do need a little adjustment. since our E-brake is a drum system, there you. glad it was free, and nothing serious.