Abs are essential in maintaining the tires from locking. Also, it regulates the occurrence of road accidents. Sometimes, the abs may fail to function normally by showing the following signs; the vehicle brake pedal keeps locking up, the dashboard’s abs keep switching on, the speedometer records incorrect speed measurements, the braking system fails to function or respond to changes, among others.
The abs contain an abs pump which enables you to control the car, thus reducing road accidents. Although the anti-lock brake system is essential, it sometimes produces funny noise during the driving process. Luckily, the article describes the best way of identifying the common cause of the anti-lock brake pump making noise and the possible solutions.
Common causes of Abs Pump Making Noise and troubleshooting ideas
Several reasons affect the overall functioning of the anti-lock braking system making the brakes produce grinding noise. The sounds increase with time, affecting the general functioning of the car.
Some people ignore the sound by increasing the music volume during driving which is incorrect. If you notice the anti-lock brake pump system emitting funny noise, consider troubleshooting the problem instantly before it worsens.
The following information shows the main causes of the anti-lock braking pump system making noise and the best methods of troubleshooting the problems. They include;
Distorted anti-lock braking system pump
Worn-out abs pumps are a common reason why the pump produces noise during the driving process. If the pump has been used for a long time, approximately more than five years, it may wear out and fail to function normally, resulting in the abs pump producing noise. For instance, a worn-out out pump allows metals to contact each other, and as a result, a squeaking sound is generated.
If you fail to fix the faulty pump, the whole abs system may be damaged severely. Follow the steps below carefully to fix a faulty system pump.
- Disconnect the anti-lock braking system from the car using the appropriate tools.
- Inspect the system carefully and find the position of the braking system pump. It is located in many different places, such as in the driver’s side frame, and under the plastic panel.
- If the pump fails, consider replacing the whole pump to bring the abs system to its functioning.
- Test the replaced pump to see if it still produces noise. If the problem persists, check other parts of the abs system for any faults, such as a clogged pump.
Also, consider seeking help from skilled personnel.
Clogged system pump
Sometimes, dirt may accumulate in the pump, preventing correct functioning of the flow of oil or any substance present in and out of the pump, and as a result, loud noise is emitted. Therefore, it is advisable to clean the system pump frequently and remove any dirt before it clogs. The following steps show how to unclog the system pump using a thin brush.
i. Disconnect the anti-lock braking system pump from the vehicle system after stopping the car and leaving it for a couple of minutes to cool down completely.
ii. Locate the anti-lock brake system pump.
iii. Examine the pump and see if any materials are clogging the pump, such as frozen oil.
iv. Using a thin brush, try unclogging the pump slowly without damaging it, and if the clogging persists, run water with the recommended temperature down the pump to melt the frozen grease.
v. Repeat process iv above until the pump is completely clean before proceeding to the next step.
vi. Rinse the pump and leave it to dry completely before reinstalling it back in its appropriate position. Ensure the pump is completely dry and turn on the system to see if you eliminate the noise.
vii. If the problem persists, immediately take action and try repeating the process above. Also, contact a skilled manufacturer to help you fix such a problem to obtain better results.
viii. If the pump is distorted beyond repair, consider replacing the pump with a new one that suits the anti-lock braking system, and the manufacturer recommends that.
A fault shims
Another main cause of the pump making noise is a faulty shim. A damaged or old anti-lock braking system creates mental-to-metal contact with the braking system during the braking process. When metal-to-metal contact occurs, a grinding noise is produced by the parts in touch.
The best way of fixing a worn-out braking shim is by replacing it with a new one recommended by the manufacturer, which matches the car’s anti-lock braking system model. Also, follow the recommended replacement process on how to reinstall new braking shims. Finally, it is advisable to seek help from a nearby repair shop if you cannot repair or replace the shim.
Insufficient lubricant in the wheel bearing
Sometimes, you may hear grinding noise coming from a wheel bearing, and may become loud with time. The main cause of the grinding noise in the wheel bearing is due to insufficient lubricant on the wheel. Insufficient lubricant limits the free spinning of the vehicle wheel bearing, allowing metals to come in contact with other metals and produce a loud grinding noise.
Troubleshooting the wheel bearing is easy as long as you understand how the wheel works and know the recommended steps for troubleshooting the problem. Follow the information below;
- Stop the vehicle once you hear grinding noise instead of ignoring the noise by increasing the music volume.
- Disconnect the wheel bearing after finding its location. While disengaging the wheel bearing, handle the vehicle parts carefully to avoid additional replacement costs of the parts.
- Check the wheel bearing and identify any possible faults. For instance, check the connection between the wheel and the braking system. If the connection is incorrect, establish the recommended connection to eliminate the grinding noise.
- Suppose the wheel bearing contains low lubricant, grease the wheel bearing with the recommended amount of oil that cannot damage the wheel bearing. Ensure you don’t over-grease the wheel.
- Clean excess grease on the wheel bearing using a soft dry cloth or any other recommended material.
- Test the wheel bearing by turning on the braking system. But if the issue is unsolved, replace the wheel bearing.
Abs pump remaining unused for long
If you have not used the car for a long time, its parts are wearing out slowly, thus decreasing the vehicle’s lifespan. Also, the car will only move specific miles and then come to a stop. Too much pump idleness and cold weather conditions result in an accumulation of dirt near the abs pump. Once rust accumulates, the parts fail to move freely, thus producing grinding noise.
The only best way to fix the abs pump is by using the vehicle more often and avoiding leaving it unused for a long time. Also, service and inspect the car frequently if you plan not to use the car for some time. Also, it is advisable to visit a skilled mechanic if you have left the car unused for long.
Too much pressure in the pump
The pump functions by releasing pressure from the brakes and putting the pressure back to keep the braking system functioning as required. As the pressure increases, the valve fails to reduce it, resulting in low noise production, which increases with time. The best way of fixing the issue is by regulating the pressure flowing in and out of the pump vial valve.
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Conclusion
If the car produces noise while driving, stop the vehicle and inspect all car parts, especially the abs pump. If you detect any issues, apply the information above to eliminate the noise generated by the anti-lock braking system pump.
Further, avoid leaving the car unused for a long time to avoid reducing the vehicle’s lifespan. Also, it is advisable to avoid ignoring the noise as it may cause severe damage to the abs pump system that will be costly to repair.
