Brake question...?

VWnoob · Post by **VWnoob** » Wed Mar 30, 2005 1:56 pm

I just want to know if it is normal to hear the brake calipers clinking and clunking when you drive...?
I live near LA and the roads there are not the smoothest so when I am driving on fairly bumpy roads, I hear a lot of clinking noise which sounds like its coming from the calipers...I could be wrong though.
Its a lil embarassing.

Is this normal?

Jim

Post by **Briano1234** » Wed Mar 30, 2005 4:46 pm

I would rather believe that it is the suspension doing the squeeking. Brakes Squeel or grind....

VWnoob · Post by **VWnoob** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 12:59 am

What about rattling? Thats a better description.....Rattle.

Post by **Briano1234** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 8:24 am

Bakes can rattle, but it is usually a bad strut or bushing. It could even be a bad motor mount.

Brakes that make noise, you can test as when you hear the noise apply the brakes. If it goes away, then you have found your problem.

Struts that go bad can also rattle as there is no further pressure keepint the cartridge tight in the tube. So there is a rattle of the tube going up and down in your tube.

It is a judgement, as to what is causing the noise, eleminating the possibilities is sometime tough.

Is the noise only on a bumpy road? that would be suspension, if it is on a flat road it could be the brakes.

sixsracing · Post by **sixsracing** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 8:31 am

There is hardware that the pads rest on between the very end of the pad and the bracket. It is very common for this piece to go missing, aftermarket pads are painted and do not allow enough room to install, stupid people and the list goes on. You should have either 2 thin pieces of goldish steel (approx. 1/8' by 1 1/2") under the wings of the pad. Or you will have a spring that looks like a mangled paper clip that puts tension on the pads and clips in under each wing. The other problem could be the slide pins and bushings. The bushings are just plastic and if not lubricated by previous owners then they can wear to the point that the caliper bounces on the bracket. Your local auto parts store may sell the hardware but usually will tell you to buy the whole caliper to get the bushings. Just go to the dealer and order the bushings. Straight forward installation, you won't have any problems. I usually suspend the wheel and hit it with a rubber mallet to isolate the noise. Lenghty but I hope it helps.

1lowcab · Post by **1lowcab** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 11:04 am

i agree with sixs. my rabbit is missing it's anti-rattle clips and it makes a hell of a noise over bumps...very imbarassing!
i need to replace those someday.

Post by **Calimus** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 11:26 am

yea, the driver side brake setup on the wifes cabby is missing the rattle clip and it took me a long while to realize that was where the "thunk" would come from over some bumps. Was a mystery for a little while till I finally got down there and had a look.

VWnoob · Post by **VWnoob** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 12:01 pm

That solves the problem....
I am 90% sure that it is the brakes because when I hit the brakes, the noise goes away.
And doing further research online, I found that you can buy brake clips for $4.
Cool, so these cars do have a reputation for some brake rattle.
Thanks guys, and Great info Six!

Here is where I found the clips.

http://replacement.autopartswarehouse.c ... Spring+Set

Jim

1lowcab · Post by **1lowcab** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 12:32 pm

cool! thanks for the link... i need'em!

Post by **Calimus** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 12:34 pm

thx for the link, thats a pretty good source. Seems they also have the auto adjusting clutch cable for my rocco, which is something a bit hard to come by these days.

sixsracing · Post by **sixsracing** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 3:07 pm

You don't need to replace the auto adjusting cable with another of the same kind. You can swap the manually adjusting cable with little effort. A lot cheaper and the clutch lasts longer IMHO. Of course some people like the auto adjusting cable.

Post by **Calimus** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 7:36 pm

I love my auto adjusting cable. I have no idea when/if the clutch in my rocco was ever replaced. When I contacted the previous owner of my car shortly after I bought it, he couldn't remember ever having it replaced. The car had an estimated 190k when I bought it and I know I've put at least 60-70k on it in the 4 years I've had it.

Only reason I want to replace the cable is that some of the sheathing is coming off and it looks bad. Besides, who the hell wants to have to re-adjust the clutch? I know it doesn't need to be done with any kind of regularity, but it's one less thing for me to think about. I love my auto adjuster and I think I'll stick with it. You are right about the maunal being cheaper though, but I figure the maunal cable in my wifes car's has snapped on more then one occasion, the auto adjuster in my rocco is 16 years old. I know what I have better luck with.

VeeDubDriver · Post by **VeeDubDriver** » Mon May 09, 2005 4:14 pm

VWnoob wrote:What about rattling? Thats a better description.....Rattle.

Another thing that I have found to make noise is the screw that's missing to thoroughly secure the disc to the hub. It's the equivalent of a "floating disc", which is only heald on with the caliper and the lug bolts- mostly an issue in *gasp* Fords

Don't worry though, it's not a problem!

Post by **Briano1234** » Mon May 09, 2005 8:34 pm

Gee you are describing my car...lol

Redoing the rotors, the screw stripped
Drilling the thing out broke the bit
Trying to punch the bit the punch broke.

Now you know why i am waiting to replace the screw with the hub next time... Maybe if i get froggy I will drill another hole in the hub and tap it.

maybe not.

sixsracing · Post by **sixsracing** » Tue May 10, 2005 9:00 am

The screw is really only there for assembly. It does nothing but hold the rotor in place when the wheel is removed. If you still have yours, then great. If you don't then you'll get better mileage cause your car is lighter.