Started my 2006 h2 yesterday, and it sounds fine. I put my foot on the brake pedal to shift it into reverse, and my foot went almost to the floor, and a horrible grinding sound came from out of the engine.
If I take my foot off of the brake pedal, the sound goes away. But as soon as I step on it again, the sound comes back. And it is loud.
Any ideas? I did not drive the h2, because I am afraid the brake might not work.

 

does your power steering work. The boost for the brakes comes off of the PS pump so the pump might be going bad.

 

If the pedal went straigt to the floor check the brake fluid level. Then check the level in your power steering fluid.

The brakes in the H2 are hydro boosted from the Steering pump. Sounds to me like you might have something going on in the hydroboost. $$$

 

It didn't go straight to the floor without hesitation. There was pressure. But it went farther than they usually do.

 

Brake fluid level is fine. All the fluids are good.
If the steering pump is going bad, will the brakes still work? Is it safe to drive?