Brake Rattle and Clunk

[Myst420]

Hey guys,

So I recently changed my front brakes out (pads and rotors) and since then, my brakes rattle like they're about to fall off my car. I bedded the pads in, at least the best I could in the city, and it didn't help at all. I hear it on EVERY little bump, and when I hit the brakes while moving slowly. It seems to get worse when the brakes are hot, because once I'm in my neighborhood on the way home from work, they make a ton of noise. They even start "knocking" when I press AND release the pedal.

I found this thread where old guy recommended CRC Disc Quiet, so I may try that, but I do have another brand of disc quiet on there not, and it isn't helping. btw, I've done countless brake jobs in the past and NEVER have had this issue. Could it be because I went with a slightly cheaper pad? I picked up a set of Wagner pads because of the price at the time.


Here is a video of the "knock" I'm referring to:

[CyberPMG]

Definitely apply the Disc Quiet to the back of the pads.

Also go and do some proper bedding of the brake pads....

http://stoptech.com/technical-suppor...and-procedures

You'll more than likely need to get out of the city to get enough room to do this.

[Eurofication]

Sounds like th esame issue I had after doing my brakes time before last. I couldn't for the life of me figure out what it was until I did my brakes again last year. It ended up being one of the Caliper bolts being loose, not the carrier bolts. I had done many brake jobs before as well and suprised the hell out of me to find that was the issue the whole time.

[Myst420]

ok, I'll try the other disc quiet. I did my best to bed in the brakes...I leave for work at 5:30am so there isn't much traffic. I was able to do 5-6 60->10->60 stops, and the pads seem to be wearing pretty well. Either way, I will try and bed them in again.

[Myst420]

Sounds like th esame issue I had after doing my brakes time before last. I couldn't for the life of me figure out what it was until I did my brakes again last year. It ended up being one of the Caliper bolts being loose, not the carrier bolts. I had done many brake jobs before as well and suprised the hell out of me to find that was the issue the whole time.

I thought about that, and checked all the bolts out. Plus, it would be hard to believe that a bolts on both sides came loose. But that was my first thought.

[Dubsport Inc]

Lose anti rattle clips causing pads to shift while braking?

[Charles.waite]

Lose anti rattle clips causing pads to shift while braking?

This is my best guess. Maybe improperly installed?

Of course my b7 brakes rattle like a bitch. Its because the Akebono pads don't fit quite snug enough in the caliper and thus rattle around.

[Myst420]

This is my best guess. Maybe improperly installed?

Of course my b7 brakes rattle like a bitch. Its because the Akebono pads don't fit quite snug enough in the caliper and thus rattle around.

What are you saying..I fucked up! j/k

At this point I've visually looked over everything without taking the brakes apart again and couldn't see anything out of place. I even tried moving the pads in the caliper, and they didn't seem to move at all. Either way, I plan to take them apart first chance I get (probably next Mon or Tues) and see if I can't narrow it down some more. Would it be worth it for me to try and pick up some new anti rattle clips?

[Charles.waite]

What are you saying..I fucked up! j/k

At this point I've visually looked over everything without taking the brakes apart again and couldn't see anything out of place. I even tried moving the pads in the caliper, and they didn't seem to move at all. Either way, I plan to take them apart first chance I get (probably next Mon or Tues) and see if I can't narrow it down some more. Would it be worth it for me to try and pick up some new anti rattle clips?

Might be worth a shot to try new rattle springs.

You can do a quick test: find a section of road that make the brakes rattle. Drive over it normally, then with the e-brake slightly engaged, then with the brake pedal being pressed.

The first is a control. the second will eliminate or confirm its the rear brakes. The third will eliminate or confirm if its the front brakes. If either of these test make the rattle stop, you know its from something loose in the caliper, not something else. if the caliper itself is torques properly, the only other explanation would be pads or rotors.

[Myst420]

ok, I guess I should have mentioned that....I know for a fact it is the front brakes...if I go over the road leaving my office just coasting, my car sounds like its gonna fall apart. If I have my foot on the brake pedal ever so slightly, the rattle is gone 100%.

[Charles.waite]

ok, I guess I should have mentioned that....I know for a fact it is the front brakes...if I go over the road leaving my office just coasting, my car sounds like its gonna fall apart. If I have my foot on the brake pedal ever so slightly, the rattle is gone 100%.

Sounds a LOT like my problem. My best guess is the pads. In my case the akebono pads don't seem to fit snugly enough in the calipers. I've been considering swapping out the front pads for something else as the rears are absolutely fine. I love how the akebonos have almost zero dusting though so I'm hesitant to switch to something thats dustier...

[old guy]

Just use the red Brake Quiet goo. The stuff works.

[Charles.waite]

Just use the red Brake Quiet goo. The stuff works.

Who me?

But that would require actually DOING something...

I've got the stuff in fact. Just haven't used it yet. I'm not very fond of taking my brakes apart. I've done it like 3 times now...

[old guy]

LOL....Yes you Charles!! (or anyone else complaining about pad rattle). Go with the Goo..... If applied correctly it simply gets the job done. Period.

[Charles.waite]

LOL....Yes you Charles!! (or anyone else complaining about pad rattle). Go with the Goo..... If applied correctly it simply gets the job done. Period.

Maybe this weekend. I have to replace my Oil Cooler at some point so maybe I'll pop the wheels off and finally do it.

I also need to adjust my new motor mounts. And track down my exhaust rattle. SO MANY THINGS TO DO!!!!

[Myst420]

Old Guy,

I will try the goo as well. Like I said, I probably won't be able to do it until early next week, but I will let you guys know what happens. Is this just caused by the pads being a hair to small, as Charles suggested?

[old guy]

Yep. That's all it takes to make a lot of rattling around.

[walky_talky20]

Go with the Goo..... If applied correctly it simply gets the job done. Period.

x10. The Red Goo is Magical. (Just don't eat any, it's not that kind of magic)

[stevewr1]

Old Guy,

I will try the goo as well. Like I said, I probably won't be able to do it until early next week, but I will let you guys know what happens. Is this just caused by the pads being a hair to small, as Charles suggested?

Did you ever remedy this, i have the same problem now after fitting new pads to my A4 and its driving me insane..

[old guy]

What more information do you need? Just go with the goo.

[stevewr1]

Well decided today that I just couldn't listen to the rattling anymore and thought about what I could use instead of waiting a couple of days for "crc brake disc quiet". Had to improvise so came across some tec7 in the my garage and decided to coat the back of the pads with it, we use the stuff in ireland for gluing all sorts..it drys to a rubbery material so has done a fantastic job on eliminating the rattles and clunks. Happy Days!

http://tec7.ie/product/tec7-sealant/