2001 Pontiac Grand AM GT brake problems

[bsmith95610]

My wife has a 2001 Pontiac Grand Am GT and it just started making a weird noise when braking at slow speeds sometimes. It seems to do it more when it's cold outside the noise occurs when braking when the car slows down to about 5 mph. The noise sounds like air is being depressed out of a small tube almost like a whoopee cushion and the brake pedal flutters a little bit as well but the car does continue to stop. To me if doesn't feel like the normal ABS brake feeling that the brake pedal does if you push it to the floor. Sometimes after it makes this light the ABS light will come on and sometimes it won't. It seems to make the noise most often early in the morning when it is cold out. Sometimes the noise occurs 3 or 4 times a day and sometimes it never occurs at all. If anyone has any idea's please let me know.

 

[melsg5]

Have you checked the brake fluid level? Have you checked the vacuum line going to the booster? Have someone step on the brake with the engine running and listen if the sound is coming from the booster.

 

[CatSkinner]

Also check your brake pads, the rears on our GP were wearing down unevenly (indicative of a possible caliper wear) and were doing the same thing. For the winter, I replaced the rear pads and braking improved, but when the weather warms up, it's looks like a possible caliper change for me... yaaaayyyy.

 

[bsmith95610]

Where is the booster at no a Pontiac Grand Am GT? Is it normally close to the master cylinder?

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[CatSkinner]

The booster is that cylindrical thing between the master cylinder and the firewall that has a fairly large vacuum line going to it.