I know my front pads are getting low, so I'm hoping that's all this is. I started noticing this noise like someone shaking a metal necklace or chain (I guess?) a couple weeks ago as I brake. It also happens when coasting or accelerating, but it seems to be most pronounced when braking or when moving at low speeds, and the frequency is usually proportional to my speed.

When I asked my mechanic about it yesterday while getting a brake fluid flush, he seemed unsure about my suggestion that it might be the pad wear indicators, but thought it was very possible...

Anyways, here's a video showing the noise:
http://youtu.be/bjG0al5191M

It's most pronounced at about 0:33-0:37, then again at about 0:52-0:55, again at 1:33-1:37, and at 1:42-1:45, and most loudly at the end starting at 1:53. You can hear it subtly almost throughout the video, though. This was me driving at city speeds from about 0-40 mph.

Thanks in advance for the help.

 

Jack up the car, remove wheel, and check the pads.

 

As I said, I already know the pads are nearing their life's end, but I just thought the wear indicators would make more of a screeching or squealing sound than this kind of sound. So I'm wondering if there might be something else wrong here, too.

In theory, I could find out by just replacing the pads, but for one, I might not have an opportunity to do that for a little bit (500-700 miles), and two, if someone knows of what else it could be, then maybe I can also fix (or at least investigate) this second problem at the same time when I do replace the pads.

... If no one has heard or knows what this sound is, though, then I'm a little worried that it's NOT the wear indicators. I would think that's something several people here have heard by now... Unless maybe it's possible for them to sound different on different cars?

 

Its kind of hard to tell in your video, but that does sound similar to what i recall hearing my old civic indicators sound like. Mine were most noticeable in reverse, heard them every time i backed out of the driveway. Only way to know for sure though is look at the pads/indicators.

 

Just take the wheel off and check. Shouldn't take you more than 5 minutes.

 

yes. had the sound, changed pads, sound gone. i was at 2 mm pad left

 

Alright, cool. I think I have my answer to my probably dumb question, thanks guys.

 

Hey mate, I know its an old post but do you remember what the fix was? I have the exact same noise and I’m pretty sure my pads arent that low.