Rattly brakes

The Oily Bits S1 Specific Topics
1

Help me please dear kind Exiges.com experts!

I have just had my front disks replaced, with new Pagid RS14 pads, front passengaer side wheel bearing replaced, and a full set of Toyo R888’s fitted and balanced. Finally, I had the car fully geo checked and adjusted.

Initially, everything was fine, and then a rattle started on the passenger side front wheel. This rattle was intermittent - sometimes it would not be there, and then hit a bump and it starts again. Over time the volume increased, and it occurred all of the time, with the rattle increasing in frequency and volume with wheel rotation speed.

This problem appears to be brake related, as the slightest pressure on the brake pedal (and not to the point of actually braking) silences the noise. My garage stated that this was due to the set of pads on this wheel being a fractionally different size (I take it this means smaller) than normal, meaning that it rattles around in the caliper.

The car has been back to the garage twice now, and the noise does the same as before - OK for a few miles, then increases to full volume. Apparently some form of ‘sticky spacers’ have been applied - but on investigation this just appeared to be a lot of copper slip. In desperation at the weekend I attached some sticky bits from Elise Parts to the back of the pads in question (actually meant to stop brake squeal - and left over ffrom a previous pad change), but this made no change.

The car runs and handles great. No vibration in the steering column, chasis, or brake pedal when braking hard.

Do you guys agree that this seems to be due to ‘funny’ size pads? Have any of you had the same problem, and how did you solve it? Do I need to buy another set?

I have just come back from a round trip to Scotland to see the Scottish Elises guys weekend before last, and was ready to commit suicide with the noise. I hope this can be sorted out before Classic Le Mans comes along!

Please help.

Most appreciated,

Clive.

2

Clive, definately “pad rattle”. Did you fit the Eliseparts items as shown here? http://www.eliseparts.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=387

3

I have the same problem at the moment

Are you meant to get the anti rattle pads when you buy the brake pads from them???

First heard it half way round the ring, that woke me up

4

I had the same problem and fitted the rubber pads as suggested by Pesky and the noise has gone.

5

As an alternative, you might try the small application of ‘copper lube’ on the back of the pad where it contacts the caliper piston. I have done this without the need for the ‘anti rattle’ pads.

The good news is that in any event your brakes will be working just fine!

6

As an alternative, you might try the small application of ‘copper lube’ on the back of the pad where it contacts the caliper piston

Always do that. This is the first time i have heard pad knock and first time i have used Padgids, must just be a feature of the pads

7

I beleive that the pagids have a higher temperature rating than other pads and therefore need higher cold clearances so that they don’t bind in the caliper when hot.

8

I just let mine rattle, it kind of lets you know you still have brake pads in!!!

9

I just let mine rattle, it kind of lets you know you still have brake pads in!!!

Okay for a race car, which does hardly any miles, but not on road car, matey

10

Im suprised a man of your advanced years can hear the bloody things rattling anyway!!

11

Im suprised a man of your advanced years can hear the bloody things rattling anyway!!

Pardon?

13

Cheers for all the advice guys - hopefully I can fit these things at the weekend, and I’ll let you know how I get on.

These are my third set of Pagids for the front, and the first time that I have got this problem. Copper lube (Copperslip) is always a good idea, but this had already been applied, and the pads still make the noise!

Very excited as my Classic Le Mans tickets turned up yesterday. The prospect of having a car that handles, sticks to the road, and doesn’t sound as if a wheel is coming off is almost too good to be true!

Clive.

14

Long shot but could it be the retaining pin(s)/plate(s) on the fronts? Are they easy to move back and forth?

There’s an old ‘bend the piece of metal’ trick on the plate that goes between the pads and the pin. The plate is a sort of H pattern with smaller lengths coming from the middle, one of which you bend to about 90o to make the plate push harder against the pads.

Am I making any sense here (or should I return to my hole and do some more work)?

Ian

15

It makes perfect sense to me Ian, but then I’ve been trying to solve the same problem so I am familar with all the parts. I tried bending the tabs but not as far as 90 degrees. I’ll try that on your recommendation and also fit the Eliseparts sticky pads.

16

It was done (rather alarmingly/uncomfortablely) in front of me at Lakeside Eng about 3-4 years ago. So I can’t promise an older plate won’t snap.

Ian

ps. Never had the pad rattle (other niggles, but not that one)

17

Hi Ian

Good to see you back again - hope all the family are fit & well

18

Cheers Rob

We’re all good (and sucking the life/time out of Daddy G).

I’ll be with you all in spirit at the w/e - enjoy!

Ian

19

Mmmmm - I wondered what those little pads were for - drove the car into work today (bloody hot) and noticed an annoying rattle - shame I threw them away! :frowning:

I take it you only need them on the front…?

20

Fronts only yes.