# Problem stopping plus loud noise **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** focus, ford\ **Created:** [March 25, 2013, 5:39pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/problem-stopping-plus-loud-noise/78261 "2013-03-25T17:39:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Jaxonsmama](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7ba0ec/32.png) [@Jaxonsmama](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Jaxonsmama)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2013, 5:39pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/problem-stopping-plus-loud-noise/78261/1 "2013-03-25T17:39:08Z")
So I just bought a 2004 Ford Focus. I did not drive above 15mph when I tested the car due to the lake effect snow that was occuring. Now that I own the car I have noticed if you try to stop going over 20mph the car starts to stop but last second it lurches forward a little bit. There is also a grinding noise that sounds like its coming from the back and a loud vibration that sounds like its coming from underneath the middle of the car. I’m trying to figure out if it is the brakes, tires or a leak in a brake line (those are all things my dad said it might be). Any advice would be helpful! ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2013, 5:57pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/problem-stopping-plus-loud-noise/78261/2 "2013-03-25T17:57:23Z")
When there is any question as to the effectiveness of your brakes, you need to take the car (or tow the car) to a competent mechanic right away, or simply park it until such time as you can get it to a mechanic. That being said, it is possible that the “loud vibration” is the ABS system kicking in. If this noise has taken place when braking on a wet surface, that would support this possibility. If there was a leak in a brake line, you would see a drop in the level of fluid in the master cylinder. Did your father check the master cylinder? In any event, a leak in a brake line would not cause a noise, and would “only” be likely to lead to loss of braking ability. Based on the description, I tend to doubt that this is a tire problem. Whether this is a case of an overly-sensitive ABS system, or brake pads that are worn down to bare metal, or…whatever…this car needs to go to a mechanic before you cause a serious accident. ---
**Author:** ![Jaxonsmama](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7ba0ec/32.png) [@Jaxonsmama](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Jaxonsmama)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2013, 6:11pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/problem-stopping-plus-loud-noise/78261/3 "2013-03-25T18:11:05Z")
I actually am not driving the car any where (just the 15min drive from where I bought it), I haven’t even had it inspected yet. If its just the brakes that need replacing I have a friend who said he can do it if I buy the parts. I was just hoping to have more of an idea of whether it was just the brakes before I went to buy the parts. And the vibration occurs whenever the car is running. ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2013, 6:20pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/problem-stopping-plus-loud-noise/78261/4 "2013-03-25T18:20:01Z")
Does your state have a statute specifying that the seller of a car is responsible for the car being able to pass a safety inspection? If so, you may be able to return the car for a refund or have the seller pay for brake repair. ---
**Author:** ![Jaxonsmama](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7ba0ec/32.png) [@Jaxonsmama](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Jaxonsmama)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2013, 6:27pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/problem-stopping-plus-loud-noise/78261/5 "2013-03-25T18:27:02Z")
It says “selling the car as is” on our agreement. I only paid $1200 for it though so I don’t mind paying for brakes to be fixed but if its more than the rotors & pads I was going to have the car towed to a garage.