# Subaru Forester with "crunching" brakes

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/subaru-forester-with-crunching-brakes/7860>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** subaru, forester, brakes\
**Created:** [November 30, 2007, 10:07pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/subaru-forester-with-crunching-brakes/7860 "2007-11-30T22:07:04Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Rivkahw](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ecae2f/32.png) [@Rivkahw](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Rivkahw)\
**Post date:** [November 30, 2007, 10:07pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/subaru-forester-with-crunching-brakes/7860/1 "2007-11-30T22:07:04Z")

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Despite passing state inspection, my 2001 Subaru Forester (86,000 miles) make a subtle “crunching” sound in the front as the car comes to a stop. Sometimes - but not always. I cannot discern a pattern, and my long-term, reliable mechanic hears it, but cannot figure out what it is. The (disk) brakes still have adequate life on the pads. There is no sense of brakes failing - ie, it comes to a stop when I intend it to - but any such sound is of concern to me. Any ideas or suggestions? Thanks for your help, Rivkah

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**Author:** ![hellokit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6a8cbe/32.png) [@hellokit](https://community.cartalk.com/u/hellokit)\
**Post date:** [December 1, 2007, 6:06am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/subaru-forester-with-crunching-brakes/7860/2 "2007-12-01T06:06:46Z")

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Push down on the front of the car several times while listening for the sound. I suspect a strut.

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**Author:** ![ok4450](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e9bcb4/32.png) [@ok4450](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ok4450)\
**Post date:** [December 1, 2007, 6:58am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/subaru-forester-with-crunching-brakes/7860/3 "2007-12-01T06:58:57Z")

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Possibly a dry stabibilzer bar bushing. That can be a common problem on any vehicle when the rubber gets some age on it.  
The bushings could be sprayed with WD-40 as a test method to see if the noise goes away but the WD is not a permanent solution. A silicone based grease should be used.