irritating brake problem

[thewrench]

OK, I'm looking for opinions on what could be causing this, other than what may be obvious. I'm getting grooves worn into the rotors by the metal clips that go between the bracket and the pad, as if when the pad moves it grabs the clip and pushes it into the rotor. It's happening on the lower outside (shown) of both front wheels. I took the brakes apart and put some lithium grease there, other than that, is there any other fix or what else could cause this. This must be the 20th time I've taken the brakes apart to fix various problems with the brakes on this car. My wife has an ES and her stock brakes are just beautiful.

Here's a pic of the wear:

Thanks
James T

 

[PaulMP3]

where are the pads?? those clips shouldnt hit, if the pads are inplace, the pad is the only thing that can make contact.

 

[mp3girly]

Now that is a funky problem. When did you first notice it doing that?

 

[Installshield 2]

Just make sure they are not bent...You can't really cut any of that away, because the pad will slide on that clip as the friction material wears away(meaning as the friction crap gets smaller, the pad will be resting on the inner portion where it appears to be rubbing on the rotor)...as confusing as that is...

Are you getting any crazy noises or anything? I haven't noticed that on mine, but I just have stock rotors...

 

[zmepro]

looks like time for some new rotors...

 

[thewrench]

Crazy noises, oh hell yes, but I'm also running Hawk pads, so some noise is normal. Pads look normal, and I have previously deburred all of the contact edges. The clip isn't bent, the rotor turns fine, but the inside edge of the clip is definitely worn away. And it is JUST on this side of the lower clip on both sides of the car. I could probably get new clips for next to nothing, but I want to make sure I find out what's causing it to do this first. If it wasn't happening on the same place on both sides of the car I would just pass it off as one of those things, but obviously there is something more systemic going on. I lubed it up good, so I'll see if that fixes it, I just wanted to see if anybody else had seen anything like this before, because I haven't. And zme, it's not really bad enough to replace the rotor, but it doesn't need to get worse.


Here's a pic of the pad, problem side is on the right:

 

[jsgolfer]

i got new clips with my new pads and didn't notice them touching the rotors when i installed. ill check again and see if im having the same problem.

 

[Installshield 2]

I don't know man...that is definately odd...It could be just manufacturing differences between your Rotoras and the OE rotors, your new ones may simply be a little thicker....But it strange and I don't really have any good answers...

 

[thewrench]

I'm going to try some new clips, and some white grease, see what happens, just putting the grease on the old clips seems to have helped. I think it may be because the Hawk pads fit so tight before I deburred them, and maybe they put a burr or scratch on the clip that the pad is catching when it presses in. Odd that it's the same place on both sides. We'll see.

 

[Kooldino]

Does it only happen when you turn left or so?

 

[ELEmental59437]

I am having this problem with my hawk pads in the front. It seems that the metal "saftey scraper" or whatever it is called that hits the rotors when the pads get low is pushing the clips that hold the pads into the rotors.

At first the problem was only on the front left side of the car, so I took off the pad and trimmed the clip a bit. It worked great for a week or so, but during the ausin meet when I was using the brakes a lot the noise slowly came back. Right now both front brakes are squeeling.

I am going to work on them a bit tonight, I might just cut off that scraper completley since the inside pad will wear down before the outside anyways. The OEM outside pads didnt have that scraper.

More details later tonight.

 

[h4tor1]

this problem has happpened to me for really long time. the clip is touching the rotor. i trim the clip on both side but it doesn't help a lot. somehow the end of the clips is still hitting the rotor. IMO, it is because of the brake pad. The clip of the brake pad is too tight and somehow when you press the brake, the clip of the brake pad will hit the clip in the caliper, which will scratch your rotor. That what happened to me

what I did -> don't put the clip. the clip won't do anything good except it just guides you when you are putting the brake pad. I haven't got that clip in my caliper for almost 1,5 years. I am doing autox and track, no problem with the brake and no issue with scraping the rotor.

Since you are using aftermarket brake pad, it might squeak a little bit because of the material of the brake pad. Put some brake quiet in the brake pad, it will help a little bit.

If you need more clips for the caliper, I have four extra clips if you want. Don't pay any money for the clip, I can give it free for you

 

[ELEmental59437]

You are right about the pads being too big to fit inside of those clips. I sanded both ends of them town on the sides and added a little grease in there to make them fit right.

The metal clips DO need to be trimmed slightly or the brake pads need to have that once piece removed that is pushing the clip into the rotor.

My Fix:
1. Trimmed down one side of one clip on both sides. This is the side that the scraper pushes into the caliper, basically you make it so that the scraper clears the clip, about a 1/4 - 1/2 inch needs to be grinded off. This is on the outside pads only.

2. Cleaned inside of clips. I had some paint drips in there from when I painted my calipers, and since the newer pads were thicker (more pad surface on new pads compared to old pads) the ends of the pad were now sitting on the paint, and not moving freely. Simply scrape out the paint on all parts of both clips on each side.

3. Grind down the ends of the hawk pads so they glide smoothly in the grooves of the clips. Then put some grease inside the grooves to allow for better movement.

4. Re-Bend the clip "stoppers" as shown in this picture. Since the pads were too big and there was debris dissallowing the pad to freely move on the clip, the clip moved with the pads and into the rotor. Doing this, bent these "stopper" tabs that are supposed to hold the clip in place. Take it apart and you will know what I mean. They need to be bent into an "L" shape to hold onto that ledge.

 

[h4tor1]

good solution but I am too lazy to do that. I just take out the clip

the clip offer is for everyone. If you need it, you can have it. just send me the shipping fee and your address. I won't charge any money except for the shipping

 

[daKiNeP5]

If you take out the clip wont the pad be grinding against the center of the rotor? If the clip is one piece, the pads on both sides of the rotor will stay in place just fine?

 

[ELEmental59437]

If you take out the clip wont the pad be grinding against the center of the rotor? If the clip is one piece, the pads on both sides of the rotor will stay in place just fine?

Not sure exactly what you mean by that.. If the clip is out, the pads will obviously move more freely, but there is a LOT of play and I wouldnt risk it. It seems to be working fine for h4tor1.

Modding the clip like I mentioned isnt too hard. It took me about an hour to do it all. That included the time it took me to study where the problem is and get yelled at by my gf because I spend too much time on my car.

 

[h4tor1]

I think put some brake quiet will help since what the brake quiet did is trying to glue the brake pad into the caliper. eventualy, it will help prevent squeaking and prevent lots of play.

What Elemental59437 suggests is much better by modding the clip. So Elemental59437, do you want the extra clip?

Not sure exactly what you mean by that.. If the clip is out, the pads will obviously move more freely, but there is a LOT of play and I wouldnt risk it. It seems to be working fine for h4tor1.

Modding the clip like I mentioned isnt too hard. It took me about an hour to do it all. That included the time it took me to study where the problem is and get yelled at by my gf because I spend too much time on my car.

 

[thewrench]

h4tor1- that's a helluva offer, I bought a set at Autozone (not dealer) and they were 20 freakin bucks!!! I still haven't put the new ones on. I've got a new set of pads and I was just going to do it when I change brakes. I may try removing the old ones for the time being and see what happens, I've got nothing to lose to try, the old pads are almost gone anyway.

ELEmental- FWIW, I filed down the pad back plate to free them up, but I've noticed 2 things, first make sure to round the edges off so they're not sharp, I think the edges may be grabbing the clip and pulling it into the rotor, and second you may want to repaint the fresh metal because I suspect they may be corroding some and adding to the problem.

Thanks for the help on this guys, I though maybe I was alone with this. And my car STILL squeals like hell, grrrrrr.

 

[h4tor1]

$20 for the clip? Are you kidding me? I still have 4 clips in my garage, just let me know if you need it. So how is the rotor right now? does the clip still scraping the rotor? becareful, you don't want the rotor to get abused by the clips too bad

h4tor1- that's a helluva offer, I bought a set at Autozone (not dealer) and they were 20 freakin bucks!!! I still haven't put the new ones on. I've got a new set of pads and I was just going to do it when I change brakes. I may try removing the old ones for the time being and see what happens, I've got nothing to lose to try, the old pads are almost gone anyway.

ELEmental- FWIW, I filed down the pad back plate to free them up, but I've noticed 2 things, first make sure to round the edges off so they're not sharp, I think the edges may be grabbing the clip and pulling it into the rotor, and second you may want to repaint the fresh metal because I suspect they may be corroding some and adding to the problem.

Thanks for the help on this guys, I though maybe I was alone with this. And my car STILL squeals like hell, grrrrrr.

 

[Mxyzptlk]

Quick Question. I have the Hawk Pads and I have a distinct squeek now. Louder even than my old brake pads which were going out. When you are talking of the clips are you refering to the "M" clips? Asking cause the pads themselves have the wear indicators that are tons bigger than OEM.