hey folks, new here so this is prob somewhere else but i still need to find my way around these forums.. in the mean time im having a really frustrating time with my brakes..I replaced my brakes about two months ago with some low end brakes from autozone. Everything worked fine with them, the only problem was they were really squeaky and irritating. I went out and bought much better ceramic ones, i didnt install them right away. About a week before i had the time to install them i started to hear this metallic rattling sound.. almost like a grinding/jingling.. At first if i came to a stop and pumped the brakes it would go away for a little bit but it would eventually come back. So i finally have the time to install them this passed wednsday, everything seemed to go well, i replaced the front two sets. I drove around the neighborhood and there was no more cheap break sound and even better no rattling. I drove to work shortly after with still no sounds. Then on the way to lunch later on it returned. Ive taken them back off relubricated the various parts ( not the pad surface of course ). im at a loss at this point, some people tell be to bleed the brake lines, others say to replace the calipers.. thoughts anyone?

 

Are you sure the rattling noise is coming from the brakes? Have you checked your exhaust heat shields to make sure they're secure? Have you checked the dust shields behind the rotors to make sure they aren't rubbing?

Does this noise only occur while braking? While accelerating/rolling? While stopped? Is it coming from the front or the rear? One side, both sides, center? Did you install a shim set with the new brake pads? Are the pad retainer clips installed in the calipers properly?

What car is this? Discs in the rear or drums? Sometimes older brake drums can become corroded and bits of rusty metal will flake off and get stuck between the drum and the backing plate, causing all sorts of horrible noises.

 

its not that type of rattle, that was probably the wrong word to use. im about 99% sure its coming from the brakes. as i am braking or at a complete stop the sound stops, it usually seems to happen when i turn the wheel or hit 15-20mph and then after thats its relatively constant. im pretty sure it is only coming from the front drivers side, but since it only happens when its moving i cant be 100% sure if its coming from the other side as well. its a 1999 accord ex 3.0, and its got disc brakes. i looked pretty thoroughly for debris and couldnt find any. hopefully this fills all the holes from my first post. as far as shims? i only installed what came with the set, but nothing was taken off that wasnt replaced does that make sense? and the retainer clips are installed properly as far as i know..thanks for that fast response

 

I'm going to ask a few questions.

1. Are the front pads being installed with the wear indicator on top?

2. What are you using to lubricate the pad backing? Add a little to the retainer where the pads slide in too.

3. Did you lubricate the slide pins?

4. Have you checked the condition of the rear brake pads? Sometimes when you are driving, what may sound like from one area may actually be coming from another.

 

by slide pins do you mean the two pistons? with the rubber sleeves?
i did lube the retaining clips, i used brake lube. its for sure coming from the front.

 

The pins with the rubber sleeve/boot.

 

yeah thats what i though you were talking about, should i take the sleeve off and clean/lube them? could they be causing the pads to not have enough room to move around or something?

 

You don't need to remove the rubber sleeve/boot. Just remove the slide pins, clean off the old grease and re-grease them with something specifically made for brakes. Usually you re-grease them so the calipers don't seize. It can help to reduce a little vibration, etc. But, sounds like something else may be wrong.

I was just trying to rule things out.

Pads installed with wear indicator on top, right?

 

yeah but im going to pull it all apart again in the morning and doublecheck just to make sure i didnt screw something up

 

when you say remove and regrease the slide pins, wouldnt i have to take the sleeve off?

 

You don't have to take the rubber pin boot/sleeve off the caliper. The slide pin has a ridge, you just use your fingers or a small flat head screwdriver to gently pry/push the rubber boot away from the ridge of the slide pin. Then pull the slide pin out.

 

roger that, going to try it in the morning. thanks alot.

 

I had a similar issue recently with my vehicle. Grinding under hard braking. Turns out a pad bracket mounting bolt had worked it's way loose and needed to be retorqued.