'04 1.8S Rear passenger drum, grinding noise sometimes

[Drifter666]

Hey,
Not sure how to describe the problem here. Some days when I take the Sentra out, there is a bad grinding noise when I apply the brake from the rear passenger side. I got it checked out by the mechanic but he didn't see anything. He cleaned the drum and brake pads and put it back together. But the noise is still there, sometimes. It sounds really bad. But then there are days when there is no grinding noise coming from it.

I'll be changing the tires from Winter to Summer this weekend which will give me a chance to look at the drum. Is there anything anyone can suggest to look for when I have the tire off?

Thanks in advance.

[JudoJohn]

the bearings in the wheel hub.

[Drifter666]

That's what I was starting to think after searching through the forums. I will have that checked out. Thanks!

[triniwi]

Do you here it while braking only, or all the time?

[i68k]

sometimes grinding while applying the brakes could be due to lack of pressure to that particular corner or the rears in general, causing a grinding sound when really there is just enough pressure to touch the shoe against the drum. not sure about drums, but the sliders get stiff or stuck and cause a similar symptom. when a mechanic takes this apart, it all 'appears' good.

[cloud9sentra]

i notice a similar problem as well mine more of a groaning sound tho. it only applies when under heavy braking but even then its off and on and today on the way home it was an on day so anything i should do bout this car is an 02 and to my knowledge the drums have remained untouched

[Drifter666]

I actually noticed it grinding without applying the brakes the other day.

It's definitely a grinding noise.

[Drifter666]

Got the bearings checked out and they are good. The noise is intermittent.

Dirty drum?

[Drifter666]

Pictures the brakes can be found here... http://imgur.com/a/1P5mp

Not sure if this helps. Maybe someone can spot something.

[Black B15]

Other than needing a good cleaning, it does look like there is some fluid leaking right around that little hydraulic piece at the top. I would have to assume this is not helping.

I would get some brake cleaner and clean that thing up and try to see what has failed where.

[Drifter666]

Will do. I'll get it cleaned up and see.

I did have similar sounds in the car before and when I got it checked out, they did say the brake fluid was coming out. Same symptoms, starts grinding when you first drive in the morning then goes away. It's been like this for over a year now... and I know there is something wrong but I kept getting told by the mechanic that there is nothing wrong.

[Drifter666]

The wheel cylinders are shot. They are getting replaced. End of this mystery.