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Intermittent rear brakes click once when engaging

Tiny
ETERNALARIANNE
  • MEMBER
  • 2011 HONDA ODYSSEY
  • 3.5L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 201,535 MILES
It doesn't happen often, but sometimes when I'm driving, I can hear the rear brakes engaging. It's an audible single "click" when I press the pedal. I'm not sure if it's both or just one. There is no squealing or dragging, just that click one time. This van just had all new brakes and rotors installed at the dealer around 10,000 miles ago, as well as a brake fluid flush and replace.

Is this something I should worry about? As I said it doesn't happen often, but I just want to be sure nothing is about to break or fail.
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Saturday, February 5th, 2022 AT 5:43 AM

23 Replies

Tiny
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Hello,

Is the click coming from the rear of the vehicle? Or can you feel it on the brake pedal?

I have seen sometimes the brake light switch, which is located under the pedal, makes a light clicking noise.

If you engage your parking brake, can you hear that noise as well?

It might be difficult since it is intermittent, but if you can upload a video of the noise, it can be helpful.

Typical brake issues will have squealing and grinding noises.

As you mentioned that there are no issues you are experiencing, right?

Let me know if you have any questions.
Thank you.
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Saturday, February 5th, 2022 AT 6:07 PM
Tiny
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Hi,

You shouldn't hear a click. Is it loud enough for you to record and upload for me to hear? Is it only when you apply the brakes? Have you ever heard of it when going over certain bumps?

There was a technical service bulletin a few years back that required the parking brake assembly be properly adjusted to eliminate the click over bumps.

If you still have the receipt from the brake work, see if park brake adjustment is listed.

One other thing is this. Before the new brake pads are installed, there are pad retainer clips that may have failed. I attached a pic below showing them. If you can, look through the wheel to see if you notice anything as far as damage to them or if one appears out of place.

Let me know what you find or if you have other questions,

Take care,

Joe

See pic below.
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Saturday, February 5th, 2022 AT 6:16 PM
Tiny
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The only time I hear it is when stopping I press the pedal and I hear a click coming from the rear of the vehicle. I'll check over the paperwork and also see if I can notice that retaining clip.
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Sunday, February 6th, 2022 AT 3:45 AM
Tiny
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I looked at the rear brakes and the clips look to be in place to me, but I've got pictures for you to examine for sure.

Looking through the maintenance records for anything related to noise in the rear. I show rear struts replaced at 75,000 miles, the rear spring seats were replaced around 150K miles, and the aforementioned 4-wheel brakes done at 190,000 miles.

I don't see any mention of adjusting the parking brake. But I don't notice the noise when applying/releasing the parking brake, only when stopping occasionally.
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Sunday, February 6th, 2022 AT 7:45 AM
Tiny
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Hi,

Everything in the pic looks good. There are bushings that can be worn. Since it happens when the brakes are applied, it could be the trailing arm bushing.

The only way to test the things I highlighted is to remove the weight from the wheel and then take a pry bar to see if there is excessive play in the bushing. Also, check if there are any cracks or damage to the rubber.

The one I circled would be most likely to make noise when braking because the wheel would be pulling on it when braking.

Let me know if you are comfortable checking this.

Joe

See pic below.
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Sunday, February 6th, 2022 AT 6:48 PM
Tiny
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I drove around today specifically listening for any noise (it's surprising how many squeaks and creaks you hear). It sounds like the click only comes from the driver side rear and only at slow speeds like in neighborhood or parking lot. Don't know if that helps narrow it down any further.
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Monday, February 7th, 2022 AT 7:36 AM
Tiny
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Hi,

Chances are it is doing it all the time. However, at higher speeds, there are too many other sounds distracting from it, so you don't notice it.

Do you feel comfortable checking the items I mentioned above?

Let me know.

Joe
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Monday, February 7th, 2022 AT 7:03 PM
Tiny
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It will take me a bit to do it as I have been sick and under the weather, but yes, I can check those bushings. I'll report back once I get around to it.
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Tuesday, February 8th, 2022 AT 3:48 AM
Tiny
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Hi,

No problem whatsoever. Let me know when you have the chance or if you have questions.

Take care,

Joe
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Tuesday, February 8th, 2022 AT 2:27 PM
Tiny
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I still haven't gotten a chance to check what you asked, apologies.

But when I got my timing belt replaced this past weekend the dealer did the multi point inspection. The only thing they found wrong under the van was the "outer tie rod end boot" will need attention soon. Could that be causing the noise when braking?
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Tuesday, March 8th, 2022 AT 1:29 PM
Tiny
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Hi,

If you have a bad ball joint, it can cause noise. If you lift the wheel off the ground and place your hands at 6 and 12oclock, wiggle the wheel to see if there is play. Next, place a pry bar under the tire and lift up on it to see if you feel play.

However, if the noise is in the rear, I don't believe there are ball joints in the rear. Let me know what they wrote on the slip.

Take care.

Joe
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Tuesday, March 8th, 2022 AT 2:03 PM
Tiny
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The multipoint checklist shows both front and rear suspension were okay. Steering system says require attention soon - Out Tie Rod End Boot.

I "think" the noise is coming from the rear but now I'm not too sure considering this.
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Tuesday, March 8th, 2022 AT 2:08 PM
Tiny
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Hi,

A tie rod can cause tire wear or play in the steering. I don't feel that is the cause that would cause a sound when brakes are applied.

Do me a favor. If there is a location where a wall or something solid is to the side of you, see if the sound is more noticeable and if you can determine a side that seems louder. Maybe we can narrow it down.

Let me know.

Joe
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Tuesday, March 8th, 2022 AT 6:08 PM
Tiny
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Okay, I was in the drive thru at McDonald's by the building today with the window down. When I pressed the brake, I heard the noise. It's more of a pop I'd say, and it's very loud I bet everyone could hear it. Based on how loud it was I'd definitely say it's from the driver's side, but can't tell if it's front or back?
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Wednesday, March 9th, 2022 AT 3:47 PM
Tiny
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Hi,

If the brakes caused it and it was that loud, you should next confirm the correct brake pads are installed and the caliper and caliper mounts are tight.

Is that something you feel comfortable doing? If so, make sure nothing is loose as far as the aforementioned bolts. See pics above for locations. Also, make sure the brake pads are tight and don't have excessive play.

Let me know.

Joe
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Wednesday, March 9th, 2022 AT 4:20 PM
Tiny
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I hope it's the correct pads, as the dealer installed them based on the maintenance records I got from the previous owner!

I'm going to be diving into this soon to replace that tie rod end and a tire rotation. I'll report back my findings, if anything.
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Wednesday, March 9th, 2022 AT 4:23 PM
Tiny
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Hi,

It sounds like a good plan. Let me know if I can help in any way.

Take care,

Joe
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Thursday, March 10th, 2022 AT 4:33 PM
Tiny
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I don't know if it will help at all, but I found this old forum post about the early 2000s Odysseys with the same issue I'm having. Sounds like "expected behavior" from how the calipers adjust? Seems like Honda didn't think it was an issue, based on dealer response?

https://www.odyclub.com/threads/brake-popping-noise.5443/page-1

Regardless, I'm still going to give everything a once over when I replace that tie rod end and rotate the tires, just in case.
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Monday, March 14th, 2022 AT 3:37 PM
Tiny
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Hi,

Anything is possible. However, I feel I would have seen more issues related to it.

Regardless, let me know what you find. Also, make sure the pad retainers are properly installed and do not allow the pad to move up and down.

See the pic below to see the retainers.

Let me know what you find or if you have questions.

Take care,

Joe

See pic below.
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Monday, March 14th, 2022 AT 6:30 PM
Tiny
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Okay I did the tire rotation and the only thing I found out was the little tabs on the brake clips were not down all the way. Some were bent flat, and others were a little lifted off the caliper. Would that cause the issue I'm having?

Also, I didn't see any issue with the front tie rod boots, not sure what the dealer meant that they need attention.
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Sunday, March 20th, 2022 AT 10:00 AM

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