2004 Camry wheel/brakes rattling/pulsating when it comes to a stop.

[rogerranger2122]

2004 camry w 120k miles.

This has been happening for a couple years. At first it rarely happened and was much less alarming and basically only happened when coming to a stop while turning left (pulling into the driveway was when it usually happened, but I test rode it for a while turning and trying to find the sweet spot to make it happen but it happened so rarely - I wanted the mechanic drive it and show how to make it happen but it was so rare at first. It's my dad's car, he though it was the front axle gear that goes into the transmission. I brought it to the mechanic was supposed to open up that axle and check but he just said 'the axle looks brand new I don't think it's that'.

Fast forward to now it happens every time right before coming to a stop, a rattling jittering almost grinding sound, break pedal vibrates, seems to be the problem is the front driver side wheel.
Brake fluid level is good, nothing leaking, I changed the rotors and pads a couple years ago they should be fine the car isn't used much, I also inspected them about a year ago before I brought it to the mechanic and they were fine.

I'm thinking it has something to do with the ABS. The ABS light came on but my dad said it does that when it hasn't been driven for a while but IDK what he means by that and I'm guessing the ABS module is faulty by the way it pulsates, it seems to vibrate in a perfect pulse as if it's the ABS. It's strange that it only happens right when about to stopm I don't know why ABS would kick in only then, I can be driving fast and hit the brakes and it doesn't have a problem. I could if suggested drive it fast and stomp on the brakes to make the ABS kick in and see what happens but rather not.

Recently I discovered opposite of what I was hoping: I idled up a hill so the car wouldn't just idle along and never stop. I was hoping nothing would happen and therefore it have something to do with the brakes/ABS but when idling uphill until the car is about to stop without hitting the brakes, I can feel a very slight pulsating, if I then hit the brakes it does the alarming rattling pulse. When idling up the hill until it's about to stop, without hitting the brakes, I hear a slight electronic beep as if it's the ABS module or something electronic, it's not like a diagnostic beep it just seems for whatever reason the part has a beep sound to it. Since it only happens right at low rpm (but not when taking off from a stop) I'm guessing maybe it also has something to do with the Idle air control electronics or something is so faulty that it's kicking in the ABS only when coming to a stop. Also when pulling away from a stop with the AC on (AC works good) it made a slightly alarming humm and dragging feeling but the AC hadn't been ran in a year and it seems to have gone away.

[rogerranger2122]

YOU SOLVED IT! thanks you guys are the best. I disconnected the ABS sensor and no more rattling. I'll try cleaning the OEM sensor but also order to have on hand an $18 aftermarket one with free returns.



Why it got worse and worse idk but the brakes work fine now. I saw a video where he jacks the camry up, takes the wheel and sensor off and the grooved sprocket that communicates with the sensor he turns the wheel to inspect those grooves aren't damaged so maybe some rust etc got in there and made those worse and worse is why the rattling got worse over the past couple years? IDK but hopefully a new sensor and it's fine or just disconnect both sides so the other doesn't kick in and potentially turn the car if ABS were ever needed.

[Mike Gerber]

Try cleaning the rust off the ABS ring. Then reconnect the sensor and take it for a test drive.

Mike