Reader Question: Hi Austin,

I have a 10-year-old Renault Mégane with 75,000 miles on the clock. I have just started (at the end of a 35-mile trip) to get a low rumbling noise when breaking, as if there is something dragging underneath the car.

I have checked underneath the car for anything loose and there is nothing there.

I had the car fully checked out a month ago and everything was fine.

Cheers!

Chris

Hello Chris,

You could have “warped” brake rotors causing this noise. I would remove the wheels, inspect the brakes for wear, and make sure nothing is loose or broken.

If you do not really see anything, I would remove the two front brake rotors and have them machined or “trued” to make them slick and smooth again.

If the front brake pads are worn 50% or more I would replace them at this time to rule out the possibility that the noise is coming from the pads and to save you from having to do this job again in a few thousand miles.

Here is some more info about brake rotors:

Brake Rotor Warp Problems

And here is about brake noise:

Brake Noise Problem Info

Blessings,
Austin Davis

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