Scrapy Brakes

[Hardy]

G'day chaps.

1999 P38a.

I have the most woeful noise coming from FRONT LEFT disk / pads ONLY.
Not a metal on metal type noise, just a constant dragging noise when rolling - exacerbated when brake pedal depressed.

It's not a brake 'squeal' problem, not a harmonics issue.

The brakes work fine. The car can stop, as required.
Can almost lock up the front 33''s - before the ABS kicks in.

The pads are fine - about 2 yo and less than half worn.
They are EBC Green Stuff type pads, have lots of metal in the pad composition.
The disks are EBC Slotted/Spotted, not cross drilled, fitted for about 2 yr as well.

There is no drag / retardation when driving, only the noise.
When braking the noise becomes a severe multiplication of that when not braking.
Hard to describe - very emminent, kind of what you expect considering what's going on mechanically but certainly not normal. Especially considering the front right is silent in comparison.
This noise is driving me nuts - it makes my car sound like the HEAP OF POOP it really is - something to be avoided...

I pulled the front left caliper off, inspected hub/rotor assembly etc - the noise is definately due to the pads rubbing on the disk - even though not engaged.
There is nothing else interfering with normal operation.

I took the pads and gave them a good once over.
Filed the pad edges down a bit.
Removed all the little copper coloured metal fibres flaring out from the edges.
Roughened up the pad surfaces too.
Refitted, much the same.

Brake fluid level is normal.

Anyone got any ideas?


Thanks,
Hardy

[weeds]

piston starting to sieze in the caliper

[HangOver]

I did hear that if you get a hacksaw and cut a shallow groove, say 2-3mm deep from top to bottom across the pads, (across the shortest width) this will improve brake squeal/noise.

[Hardy]

Weeds - I think you've nailed it.

Hang Over - tis a good idea, indeed the pads come with a cross cut as standard.



Thanks Fellas,

Hardy

[weeds]

Weeds - I think you've nailed it.

Hang Over - tis a good idea, indeed the pads come with a cross cut as standard.



Thanks Fellas,

Hardy

how old are the flex hoses, they may be breaking down on the inside, this happen to my old rangie although i had the opposite problem - NO BRAKES_

[Hardy]

1999 less 2007 equals about 8 years by my reckoning.

The 'beginning to seize' piston idea seems plausible while pads not engaged except for the fact the pads are extra noisy when engaged. Only LHS, not RHS.

I'll pull the caliper off again and give the pistons a bit of a back'n'forth work out. Might even try swapping front pads about (L to R etc) although I don't know that they're interchangable.

Ta,
Hardy

[Blknight.aus]

they are interchangable...

DON'T do it

pads mate to the disc as they wear swaping them round is just begging for trouble even just putting them on the other side of the same disc is bad..

if you lapped the face of the pad back first maybe but if not avoid it..

Brand new pads it doesnt matter all the pads are the same just chuck em in. ITs only when you go working with old pads you have to worry