Rock in Brake... Is it Possible?
 

Last night, my car let out this horrible screeching sound while taking a tight turn at about 20 mph, as if metal were scraping on metal. I pulled over to the side of the road, creeped forward very slowly, and as I did, the screech would happen. Thinking it was something to do with the brakes, I pumped the pedal really hard about 5 times, and then it was gone. I did a full visual inspection and saw nothing out of the ordinary. Since then, I haven't heard the noise, and everything seems normal.

Did a quick search on YT and found the EXACT sound coming from a MazdaSpeed3. The owner described the same situation and same solution, and assumed it was a rock in between the rotor and heat shield. Is this possible? I'm hoping this is the case so I can drive on worry-free. Thanks!

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTxZD9KpQC4"]Mazdaspeed 3 screeching sound. Rock in between brake pad and rotor? - YouTube[/ame]

Yup. Happened a lot with my old civic. Just lift the car with a jack and try to free wheel all 4 to see where the noise comes from, inspect it. Usually rocks lodge themselves between the heat shield and the rotor.

Happened on my old tc. Got home, took off the front wheel and saw a small pebble wedged between the rotor and heat shield. Scared the $hit out of me! Lol

I live on a dirt road (it's a rock road, really), and have had that happen with my trucks. Because I really don't like working on a truck, I just drive them until the noise stops.

It has happened with my BRZ a couple of times.
I normally stop the car, put it in reverse and then it falls out again.
But if you keep on driving it will be a bit more pain to remove.

It is possible.

it happened to me once the rock got stocked in the brake spindle (cover behind the rotors) and I thought the noise was coming from a ball bearing or something

Yep...rock in brake is absolutely possible. One time running my old Z06 at Spring Mtn., I had one wedge between the caliper and the wheel...left a nasty gouge all the way down my pretty red caliper!

I got a rock wedge between my pad and rotor on my 07 wrx. Shit made such a terrible noise and I was 5 miles from my house on roads that had a speed limit max of 25. My ears hurt just thinking about it.

But yes totally possible.

Happened to me as well. It was only wedged against the edge of the brake pad, so I pulled over, backed up about 2 feet, and then hopped out and found a half moon shaped pebble that was really hot and polished nice and smooth on one side.

Totally possible, and more common than you think!

Hah! I had this exact thing happen to me earlier this month, the night before I drove up to San Fran from LA! I jacked it up, took the tire off, pumped the brake with my hand a few times, and whatever it was went away. I took it to my buddy's shop the next day and they made sure nothing was wrong, and I went on my merry way.

I've never heard such a nasty (and scary) sound in my life!