Strange brake noise
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 147
Likes: 4
From: Chandler AZ
Strange brake noise
New guy with a problem here!
First, the background. The car is a 2003 Anniversary convert with 31,000 miles on it.
I had the normal "brake pulsation", so I used it as an opportunity to re-do the brakes.
I installed 4 ATE rotors and new PFC pads, plus some braided stainless steel hoses.
Now the problem, since installation I've had a strange clicking noise in the left rear. The best description I can give is that it sounds like the noise your bike made when you put a playing card of the wheel spokes.
It's definitely brake related, only happens under braking. Much easier to hear when the top is up.
So far I've replaced the L/Rear rotor (same brand). These rotors have machined grooves and I thought it might be a bad rotor. I moved the pads from left to right. The noise stayed in the left rear.
Just got back from a long trip, put 1700 miles on the car and the noise stayed exactly the same. No louder, no quieter. Tomorrow I'm going to stick the old factory pads back into the rear to see if it makes any difference.
The only other idea I have is that the pad is moving inside the rotor bracket, although there's no indication of that to the naked eye.
Any help or suggestions?? Greatly appreciated.
First, the background. The car is a 2003 Anniversary convert with 31,000 miles on it.
I had the normal "brake pulsation", so I used it as an opportunity to re-do the brakes.
I installed 4 ATE rotors and new PFC pads, plus some braided stainless steel hoses.
Now the problem, since installation I've had a strange clicking noise in the left rear. The best description I can give is that it sounds like the noise your bike made when you put a playing card of the wheel spokes.
It's definitely brake related, only happens under braking. Much easier to hear when the top is up.
So far I've replaced the L/Rear rotor (same brand). These rotors have machined grooves and I thought it might be a bad rotor. I moved the pads from left to right. The noise stayed in the left rear.
Just got back from a long trip, put 1700 miles on the car and the noise stayed exactly the same. No louder, no quieter. Tomorrow I'm going to stick the old factory pads back into the rear to see if it makes any difference.
The only other idea I have is that the pad is moving inside the rotor bracket, although there's no indication of that to the naked eye.
Any help or suggestions?? Greatly appreciated.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 147
Likes: 4
From: Chandler AZ
Brake noise
OK, I found the source of the noise, but not the reason for it to be there, if that makes sense.
After removing the brake pads I discovered a very obvious spot where the pad ear had rub marks. The ear is that little end of the pad backing plate that fits into the caliper bracket.
The ear had some serious wear on one end.
I reinstalled the original pads, which are the stock ones that the car came with, and VIOLA! the noise is gone.
My thinking is that the aftermarket pads are made slightly smaller on the "ear" and that allows a small amount of movement. The torque effect of the rotor caused them to be pulled forward or downward to where the metal locating tabs would cause them to bounce back.
I'm going to run the old pads for a while before making any other changes to be sure of my diagnosis.
I pass this along for anyone else that may have a similar problem.
Ken Edney
Chandler, AZ
After removing the brake pads I discovered a very obvious spot where the pad ear had rub marks. The ear is that little end of the pad backing plate that fits into the caliper bracket.
The ear had some serious wear on one end.
I reinstalled the original pads, which are the stock ones that the car came with, and VIOLA! the noise is gone.
My thinking is that the aftermarket pads are made slightly smaller on the "ear" and that allows a small amount of movement. The torque effect of the rotor caused them to be pulled forward or downward to where the metal locating tabs would cause them to bounce back.
I'm going to run the old pads for a while before making any other changes to be sure of my diagnosis.
I pass this along for anyone else that may have a similar problem.
Ken Edney
Chandler, AZ
