GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

Ok, I have done a search and came up with a few topics which discuss ABS issues or braking issues in general and the discussion at http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=1577 talked a bit about the same thing I experienced last night and today but the thread is over a year old so I thought I'd start a new one... here is my issue...This past weekend we had the first real snow that stuck.. still less than an inch maybe but the roads stayed slick. When trying to stop on a slick part of the road, the ABS apparently kicked in, the brakes made this horrible grinding sound and I felt the brake pedal kick-back fairly strongly against my foot. Almost sounded like pebbles in the brakes but the vehicle had braked fine when not on the slippery road. This happened almost every time I stopped on the snow. Grinding with pedal kick-back.Tonight, snow is mostly off the roads, decided to see if I could get the same Grind and Kick on dry pavement with a hard brake... Yup, it happened just as the ABS would kick in. Now, I've had vehicles with ABS before and I would get a slight pumping feel at my foot and hear a ticking as the brake system pulsed...but this was much more violent and noisey than I would have expected. Has anyone else experienced this? and looking way back to a TSB about a Hub Torque Bolt? My Vibe was purchased in June and from what I could tell from the VIN was one of the later ones made in '03.help...DaveP.S. I just don't remember if I ever needed the ABS before now so I have no idea if it's just the cold conditions bringing this issue to light.

that's the sound i get, so i think it's normal. how bad is the grinding are you talking about?

Hi trd...Like rocks between my brake pads and rotors. I thought maybe it was ice at first but the violent kick-back was a surprise for sure. Never felt that one before.Dave

DavidPIL:That's normal. I've personally only known GM ABS systems, so when I first heard that, I was concerned it might be malfunctioning. I've always know them to be a bit, well, quieter. But when I asked both my dealer and a Toyota dealer to go on a ride along, they both confirmed that was normal operation.

Yes David believe or not that is what the GM ABS system sounds and feels like...I remember my Cavalier doing the same thing and I ran to the dealer thinking my brakes were shot!

My 2000 sunfire (and 1994 Grand Am come to think of it) made a lot of grinding sounds when the ABS kicked in. The ABS on my Vibe hasn't kicked in yet...

Hiya...Well, that's upsetting... Hard to believe it would make such noise. The ABS on my old truck (Ford) was almost unnoticable when it engaged... Rented an Achieva 7 years ago with ABS and all it did was have a heavy pulse, no noise or major pedal kick-back. I've never felt anything like this before. hmmm, guess I have to get used to it.Dave

sorry to hear that, david. my tundra's was a little quieter, but then again, the overall road noise was surprisingly quiet for such a truck. you get used to the odd noise after a while. i barely notice in my vibe now.