Brakes are acting funny

[mcurran22]

I have a 93 Maxima VG30E. At low speed sometimes when I press the brake pedal I feel the pedal "flutter" under my foot and it makes noise like its trying to engage. It only does it sometimes and for a few seconds. And its under normal braking and normal road conditions. What is this?

[loystock]

Could be due to warped or damaged rotor. Check the brake fluid level and condition, brake pads and brake calipers. Warped rotor may be difficult to check as the runout measurements require a sensitive dial gauge and platform. Vibration when braking at >45 MPH usually indicates warped rotor(s). When was the last timme you flushed the brake fluid?

[mcurran22]

It cant be the rotors because it only happens occassionally. And it happens at very low speed less than 10 mph. Its an audible sound it sounds metallic like springs snapping back. Its wierd. Ive never flushed the brake fluid but its full

[MTZI30]

Take a look at the fluid, is it jet black? Where are you hearing the sound from? Calipers or closer to the engine?

[MinisterofDOOM]

At low speed sometimes when I press the brake pedal I feel the pedal "flutter" under my foot and it makes noise like its trying to engage.

Sounds like ABS is activating to me. Is your car equipped with ABS (it was an option, so it may not be). Check the electrical box under the hood on the driver side. If it DOES have ABS, you'll have a relay for it, and a fuse. You can try pulling the relay or fuse temporarily to disable ABS and see if the problem goes away. Just remember to put the fuse BACK if you care about having ABS.

It's worth noting that the fluttering pedal and grinding noise are actually normal effects of ABS, so this may well just be a sign that ABS is working correctly.

[mr0x]

I have a 93 Maxima VG30E. At low speed sometimes when I press the brake pedal I feel the pedal "flutter" under my foot and it makes noise like its trying to engage. It only does it sometimes and for a few seconds. And its under normal braking and normal road conditions. What is this?

Check the condition of the brake pads. It might be loose or something. Maybe that spring thingie (retainer?) fell off. No. 8 on BR-12?

Or maybe a pin froze and it's wearing the pads at an angle? No 1 on the BR-12 diagram.