Fairly normal. The single pin holding the pads in doesn't keep things very tight, and a lot of stuff moves between braking and not braking.
Brake pads "clicking/clunking"...
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 708
Likes: 0
From: Florida
Brake pads "clicking/clunking"...
My front brake pads ('76) seem to have an excess of forward/rearward (fore/aft) movement and make this embarrassing clicking/clunking sound when cold (seems to diminish significantly after things warm up).
I did a search here, but seems most have "squeeking" issues that are resolved with shims.
Anything that would keep my pads in place within the calipers, but not interfere with their intended function???
Calipers (VBP) and pads (aftermarket, but good condition) all seem fine...
Thanks!
I did a search here, but seems most have "squeeking" issues that are resolved with shims.
Anything that would keep my pads in place within the calipers, but not interfere with their intended function???
Calipers (VBP) and pads (aftermarket, but good condition) all seem fine...
Thanks!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 1,047
Likes: 3
From: CA
When the pad sits in the caliper there is pressure to move it fore and aft as you drive. Over time indentations can appear in the calipers that will allow the pad to move more than intended. This could cause the pad to click. Rebuilt calipers are used and while the hydraulics are overhauled I'm not sure if any rebuilder can repair these indentations. If this is where your problem is coming from see if VBP can send you out a different caliper or try a new one manufactured from Lone Star.
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 27
Likes: 1
From: White Bear Lake MN
I get a similar effect which has been driving me crazy for a while. With low brake pressure I get light clunking, usually noticed when coming to a stop. I also get it when turning the wheels with the brake slightly applied, hit the brakes hard and the noise stops. My pads are the low priced organics from VBP. We have a local Corvette shop here in Minneapolis, Corvette Specialties, with a knowledgeable staff and claim some pads move around more than others causing this type of noise. I plan to replace my pads before I get the car out next spring and hope the problem goes away. My other thought was to put some aluminum tape over the leading and trailing edges of the pad backing plate, maybe some lubricant where the plates make contact to the caliper just to see if the noise was reduced. This would not be a permanent fix but could help confirm the source of the noise.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 8,918
Likes: 27
From: New Hill NC
I get a similar effect which has been driving me crazy for a while. With low brake pressure I get light clunking, usually noticed when coming to a stop. I also get it when turning the wheels with the brake slightly applied, hit the brakes hard and the noise stops. My pads are the low priced organics from VBP. We have a local Corvette shop here in Minneapolis, Corvette Specialties, with a knowledgeable staff and claim some pads move around more than others causing this type of noise. I plan to replace my pads before I get the car out next spring and hope the problem goes away. My other thought was to put some aluminum tape over the leading and trailing edges of the pad backing plate, maybe some lubricant where the plates make contact to the caliper just to see if the noise was reduced. This would not be a permanent fix but could help confirm the source of the noise.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
From: magnolia ms
I have one that makes that clunking sound as well and my brake system is all new. It does get embarrasing but I guess some people have the same problem as well. I allways wonderd what the sound was.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 708
Likes: 0
From: Florida
Do these shims fit between the pad and pistons or between the leading/trailing edges of the pads and the calipers???
Last edited by DR76; Nov 15, 2008 at 06:15 PM. Reason: ?
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,142
Likes: 54
From: Taylor Michigan
..
They attach to the piston side of the plate. {Plate is what the pad is riveted or bonded too} There is also a spray that is sold for the same purpose called "Disc Brake Quiet" Not as good as the shims but some brake shops use it. I have even seen some back alley fixes accomplished with Duct tape. The shims are thin steel plates with an epoxy type substance and there fitted between the piston and the disc pad plate. ...
They attach to the piston side of the plate. {Plate is what the pad is riveted or bonded too} There is also a spray that is sold for the same purpose called "Disc Brake Quiet" Not as good as the shims but some brake shops use it. I have even seen some back alley fixes accomplished with Duct tape. The shims are thin steel plates with an epoxy type substance and there fitted between the piston and the disc pad plate. ...
Last edited by Ironcross; Nov 16, 2008 at 12:22 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 8,918
Likes: 27
From: New Hill NC
..
They attach to the piston side of the plate. {Plate is what the pad is riveted or bonded too} There is also a spray that is sold for the same purpose called "Disc Brake Quiet" Not as good as the shims but some brake shops use it. I have even seen some back alley fixes accomplished with Duct tape. The shims are thin steel plates with an epoxy type substance and there fitted between the piston and the disc pad plate. ...
They attach to the piston side of the plate. {Plate is what the pad is riveted or bonded too} There is also a spray that is sold for the same purpose called "Disc Brake Quiet" Not as good as the shims but some brake shops use it. I have even seen some back alley fixes accomplished with Duct tape. The shims are thin steel plates with an epoxy type substance and there fitted between the piston and the disc pad plate. ...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 963
Likes: 0
From: melbourne,Australia
dr 76,I had the same issue,if it really bothers you,a little weld on to the edge of the backing plate of the pad to make it a little larger will fix it..If you don't do anything,the fore and aft movement of the pad under braking will make the gap larger and the noise louder.Good luck
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 14,112
Likes: 28
From: Florida
To me it only happens after changing from reverse to forward and visa versa. The pads are always rubbing the rotor and don't just flop around, even when there is end play.
and this is with all my vehicles.
and this is with all my vehicles.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 457
Likes: 1
From: Royal Oak Michigan
I have an 80 with the same problem- I am thinking of putting a thin layer of JB Weld on the fore and aft portion of the calipers where the edges of the backing plate hits- It may wear out fast but I am going to try it. My noise only happens when I am going over bumps with no brake pressure.
Darrel1
Darrel1
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,712
Likes: 902
From: Warminster PA
I used these clips that I got from a friend who has a service station. He said that they come with mopar disk brake pads. They are called "Caliper Abutment Clips". They come in different thicknesses so you can minimize the end to end play of the pad in the caliper.
Tom
Tom
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 952
Likes: 0
Never seen that occur.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
Going to comment on a very minor point I found years ago in my brake wars.....
a pass side rear rotor seems to have been the culprit...
pull the wheels and tighten the rotor to the hub with the lugs on backwards.....
now fire up the engine (rear only) and watch the rotors....sometimes the brake pad surface area is NOT CONCENTRIC with the rotation axis....off center, that grabs the pads and forces them against the 1/4 inch diameter security pins....this has absolutely NOTHING to do with air pumping and lateral runout issues...(side/side wobble)
my car did that for a long time, finally I got pissed enough to locate the problem...and sure enough replacing the rotor with one that was CONCENTRIC in the pad area cured the problem...
actually I changed both ends at same time...just the way I do brake work....
nothing to say this weird symptom/cause can't be in front also....
the clicking you hear is the pads being pressed in by the springs or residual pressures enough to cause drag, and the pads are forced up/down against the pins.....but it certainly happen when the brakes are first applied....and when released....
you hear that 'click, click, click'
a pass side rear rotor seems to have been the culprit...
pull the wheels and tighten the rotor to the hub with the lugs on backwards.....
now fire up the engine (rear only) and watch the rotors....sometimes the brake pad surface area is NOT CONCENTRIC with the rotation axis....off center, that grabs the pads and forces them against the 1/4 inch diameter security pins....this has absolutely NOTHING to do with air pumping and lateral runout issues...(side/side wobble)
my car did that for a long time, finally I got pissed enough to locate the problem...and sure enough replacing the rotor with one that was CONCENTRIC in the pad area cured the problem...
actually I changed both ends at same time...just the way I do brake work....
nothing to say this weird symptom/cause can't be in front also....
the clicking you hear is the pads being pressed in by the springs or residual pressures enough to cause drag, and the pads are forced up/down against the pins.....but it certainly happen when the brakes are first applied....and when released....
you hear that 'click, click, click'
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 708
Likes: 0
From: Florida
"Mrvette": yes, that "Click, click, click" drives me CRAZY!
