Hey folks,
I am new here and was wondering how much help I could get for 2 noise-related issues.
The car is a Honda Civic Ex 2002 (automatic), right around 200k miles.

The first problem is a metal grinding noise that occurs at random regardless of what speed I drive. It’s not a 100% steady grinding noise, more like a quick on-and-off type of noise. I also think it is not coming from the brakes because when I press the brakes during a time where the grinding stops, there is no noise, so I don’t think it’s the brakes.

The second issue is when I drive in reverse from a parked position to get out of a spot, the car makes a heavy/darker steady whistling noise until I drive forward again. Never heard that noise before, have had the car for 10 years.

I suspect it has something to do w/ the transmission because the transmission fluid has been leaking for a year or so, I thought I keep refilling it from time to time to avoid serious damage, that’s why I haven’t fixed it. The metal grinding noise sounds like it’s coming from the hood, but I’ll have to check that again.

Anyways, the sounds are very stress-inducing and that’s why the urgency to ask for help.

Thank you in advance got any help I can get.

 

The first issue may still be the brakes. If the pads are wearing down to where the indicator is, it can make noise even if you don’t step on the brake pedal. The Honda calipers are a floating type (sliding), it moves in and out relative to the rotor and has one only on the inboard side of the rotor. As your pads wear, the piston extends out closer to the rotor. When the pads are really thin and almost completely worn, the caliper will hold the pad close enough to cause the wear indicator to make noise even if the brakes are not applied, especially if there is uneven pad wear on one side. Initially, the brake noise from the wear indicator may not always make noise even if you don’t apply the brakes, as the wear indicator may not always be in contact with the rotor. Eventually, if the pads are not changed, it will make noise almost all the time.

The wear indicators are only on the inner brake pads. You may want to lift the car and properly support it, then remove the wheel to examine the brake pads.

 

@tech 8 - global moderator

Thank you for your help, I had bought the new pads a couple months ago and was just waiting for a sign to change them, and now that you made me aware of something I didn’t know I will definitely change the brake pads first and let you know how it went.

Thanks again

 

While changing the front brakes, check the dust/water shields for the front rotors as they can corrode to the point of being loose and hit the rotors making a metallic noise. I have since removed both of mine as they rusted off.