Weird knocking when coming to stop in my Jeep Cherokee

[pX]

A few days ago I started hearing a weird tapping when I came to stop in my Jeep. It starts out fast and slows down until I stop. No idea what it could be, I don't know much about cars. But I looked under it today and this looked weird:
http://filebox.vt.edu/users/jopucket/thing.JPG
On the right are two cables that go the rear wheels (brakes I assume). On the left it seems like that one bit just hanging out should be connected, to something, right?

 

[radioouman]

That is part of your parking brake cables. It is OK.

 

[dartworth]

that looks fine...

 

[Unheard]

Thats your e-brake cable, not sure it has anything to do w/ your problem as the brakes you use to stop are operated hydrolically.

 

[fbrdphreak]

That should be fine, but jiggle that around to see if it knocks against anything.

Get someone to listen to the car as you drive by and try to hear where its coming from. Could be a number of things

 

[Unheard]

Have you checked your muffler barings?

 

[iamwiz82]

Where is the sound coming from? How loud is it? Is it speed- or RPM- related? Does it occur when in nuetral? Does it occur at low speeds? Does it change when you turn? Does taking off quicker or slower change the sound?

 

[NutBucket]

Yeah, that's your parking brake cable.

 

[boomerang]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
Where is the sound coming from? How loud is it? Is it speed- or RPM- related? Does it occur when in nuetral? Does it occur at low speeds? Does it change when you turn? Does taking off quicker or slower change the sound?

I would add, is there any pulsation of the brake pedal?
Has the vehicle been parked for a long time without being driven? Especially with a lot of rain or through the winter.

Rust build-up on the rotors would be my first guess. It can do a number on your rotors. I've had it build up a high spot on the rotor that would result in the same symptoms you're having. I've usually taken some emery cloth to the area and knocked the gob of rust off. I've had no luck scraping it off, it's almost like it's welded in place.

Unless you've had brake work done recently, I'd look at the front brakes first.

I've seen rear brake drums re-machined on too coarse a setting that actually had threads in them. When applying the brakes, the brake shoes would walk out to the drum and slap back to the backing plates making a racket like you would have to hear to believe.

 

[MrPhelps]

Maybe it's your anti-lock braking system. ABS

 

[AdamK47]

Warped rotor

 

[crab]

Originally posted by: AdamK47 3DS
Warped rotor

 

[Rubycon]

Nice pink there.

 

[OrganizedChaos]

thats the adjustment for your parking brake cable. its supose to look like that

 

[Demon-Xanth]

That picture is fine, but check your pads. It's also possible that a bushing has started to go bad depending on the year.

 

[boomerang]

It's a Jeep Thing!