2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Nasty groaning sound when hitting the breaks

[FATCAT]

My wife's girlfriend has a '99 CTD and has been having a problem lately when hitting the breaks she gets a nasty groaning noise. I have not heard it yet, but my wife and her friend have went skiiing today and I have the keys to her truck to check out the noise.

I asked her about the noise when starting up on the cold mornings, and she said that that was not the noise that she was talking about (powersteering pump). So, I am just wondering if noises from the breaks being applied is an indication of the power assist on the fritz or (and I have yet to go out an check it) low break fluid level.



What break fluid do the '99s use ... Dot 3 or Dot 4?



Also, one other thing se said was that she has never had the belt changed on here truck ... 60,000+ miles on it, I'm wondering if this is slipping and not jucing up the vacum pump correctly.



If you guys have any ideas, please post them so I can let her know.

 

[barbwire]

Do I understand correctly?

If I am hearing you right, the noise does not have anything to do with the power steering. Correct? If it has only to do with the brake apply, I would have to think that she has one or more of the brake pads worn down to the rivets, and is now metal to metal. Where exactly is the noise coming from? Also does the noise happen only when rolling, and brakes applied, or does it happen when truck is sitting?

The type of brake fluid is indicated on the reservoir cover. I could check my 99 later if need be, and let you know.

 

[FATCAT]

Not break pads

Barbwire, the brake pads are not the problem, the noise is a pump noise (like the super cold morning starts). Today it is -5 (good firewood cutting/spliting weather which I will be doing shortly).



I check the brake fluid level and it was at the add mark ... so it was down quite a bit, I think this might be the problem. It takes Dot 3 (had to do a bit of spit shining to see what the instructions said on top of the unit). I'll pick some Dot 3 up and try that.



Will report back later.



Thanks for the help.

 

[Alan Reagan]

It's probably the power steering pump. A friend had one that we changed the pump on. When we started it up, it groaned when the brakes were applied or the wheel was turned. When we finally got all of the air out of the lines, it continued to groan with brake application. Turns out, one of the hydraulic lines was touching the frame and once readjusted, the groaning stopped. Further, I push/rolled mine one morning out of the garage. It was cold so I was going to plug it in and do some minor maintenance. I used the brakes (engine off) to stop. Later when I cranked it up, it groaned loudly and I felt a vibration in the brake pedal. It cleared up and has never done it again. Check the fluid level and lines.

 

[FATCAT]

Brakes and PS

Yup, it was both the brakes and Power Steering fluid. Brakes were below the LOW level and the PS fluid didn't even register. Pick up both at the store and filled them up and bingo ... no more noises.



Thanks for your help folks.



PS: boy what a dog those 1999 CTD with an automatic are. I felt that I could beat her truck in a race with my '97 pulling 2 yards of dirt in my dump trailer. I'm gonna have to tell her about a BlueChip FMS box or some other stuff.