Accord noise when braking low speed

1988 Honda Accord LXi, automatic transmission, 115,000 miles. Intermittent
noise when braking, occurs as car comes to a stop, seems to come from front
wheels/axle. I think noise does not start as soon as I step on brake.
Sounds rubbery rather than metallic, somewhat like an owl. Very
intermittent, typically I make 20 or more stops without hearing it, then
hear it during 2 or 3 stops, then do not hear it for 20 + stops. Two
repair/service places have looked at it without finding anything although
if they test drove it they might not have heard noise because it is so
infrequent. A recent scheduled maintenance service indicated that front
brakes have 40% life left.
I would welcome any advice. Thanks.

"nashville53" > wrote in
lkaboutautos.com:

> 1988 Honda Accord LXi, automatic transmission, 115,000 miles.
> Intermittent noise when braking, occurs as car comes to a stop, seems
> to come from front wheels/axle. I think noise does not start as soon
> as I step on brake. Sounds rubbery rather than metallic, somewhat like
> an owl.


Is it a steady whooooooooo....?

If so, try using the parking brake ONLY and see if the noise occurs. If it
does, it's the rear drums moaning. Time for servicing.

If it's not that, then we need more details on the exact sound of your
rubbery owl...


--
TeGGeR®

The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/

> > 1988 Honda Accord LXi, automatic transmission, 115,000 miles.
> > Intermittent noise when braking, occurs as car comes to a stop, seems
> > to come from front wheels/axle. I think noise does not start as soon
> > as I step on brake. Sounds rubbery rather than metallic, somewhat like
> > an owl.


Mine makes an odd, high-pitched moaning sound just after I let off the brake
pedal. It's not loud or anything, but sounds like what you describe. Does
this sound like the same thing? Probably needs a shot of WD-40.

Dee wrote:
>>>1988 Honda Accord LXi, automatic transmission, 115,000 miles.
>>>Intermittent noise when braking, occurs as car comes to a stop, seems
>>>to come from front wheels/axle. I think noise does not start as soon
>>>as I step on brake. Sounds rubbery rather than metallic, somewhat like
>>>an owl.


> Mine makes an odd, high-pitched moaning sound just after I let off the brake
> pedal. It's not loud or anything, but sounds like what you describe. Does
> this sound like the same thing? Probably needs a shot of WD-40.


--------------------------

If you spray your brakes with WD-40, we'll be seeing your name in the
'Darwin Awards' . . . . Stay safe.

'Curly'

"Dee" > wrote in message
...
> > > 1988 Honda Accord LXi, automatic transmission, 115,000 miles.
> > > Intermittent noise when braking, occurs as car comes to a stop, seems
> > > to come from front wheels/axle. I think noise does not start as soon
> > > as I step on brake. Sounds rubbery rather than metallic, somewhat like
> > > an owl.
>
>
> Mine makes an odd, high-pitched moaning sound just after I let off the
brake
> pedal. It's not loud or anything, but sounds like what you describe. Does
> this sound like the same thing? Probably needs a shot of WD-40.

That's most likely your brake pads needing replacement. The high-pitched
noise you hear is the metal thing that informs you of brake pad being very
thin.