Noise in drivers side wheel/brake/rotor, has me stumped.

Joshwahr_ · Postby **Joshwahr_** » Sat Apr 27, 2013 1:58 pm

Disclaimer, please excuse the poor formatting of this post, just trying to deliver as much info as possible.

I have had a little "sh sh sh sh" noise in the drivers side wheel (just started randomly one day on the way home from the local shops), nothing stuck in tires, nothing rubbing on wheel, shields don't rub rotor... etc, so not your usual suspects.

Its a 1989 Eunos roadster 1.6, running brembo slotted rotors with hawk pads and braided lines, standard calipers though... with the 15" nb wheels. All of this was changed in the last 6 months, and the noise still continues.

The noise is speed dependent, not affected by braking, not affected by turning, and has no "feel" in the wheel.

Replaced both front hubs recently, repacked the new ones myself and they are running smoothly.
You spin the hub with no rotor or brake caliper, smooth as.
You spin the hub and rotor, also smooth as.
You spin with the caliper on there is the usual slight pad rub, but it is definitely harder to move in one tiny spot.

The rotor is not worn at all, the pads have no signs of uneven wear, and as inspected this morning i cannot see the rotor striking the caliper or anything similar. Pulled off the caliper to check for wear also, and nothing to be found...

Right after the hub service the noise went away briefly, but is now back... I personally am thinking it is something to do with the brake caliper's interface with the rotor's outer edge.

Any ideas as this has me stumped?

thehillsarecalling · Postby **thehillsarecalling** » Mon Jun 17, 2013 10:15 pm

Hi Josh,

Hmmm...I have something similar. A sh-sh-sh noise from wheel well, though mine is only only while turning at slow speed. No binding on the wheel when off ground, and no wear marks to suggest that anything is touching.

I'll have a better look soon as I need to take the car apart to fit new suspension. If I find anything, I'll let you know

Crapweasel · Postby **Crapweasel** » Mon Jun 17, 2013 10:33 pm

Just a thought, wheel bearings? If I'm wrong, great

manga_blue · Postby **manga_blue** » Mon Jun 17, 2013 11:16 pm

There's a pair of these little springs for each pair of pads. Do you have them?

They're meant to hold the pads off the rotors to stop those little noises. Many of us run without them and it makes no difference, but every now and then there's a caliper that seems to need them, especially with slotteds.

Joshwahr_ · Postby **Joshwahr_** » Tue Jun 18, 2013 10:57 am

manga_blue wrote:There's a pair of these little springs for each pair of pads. Do you have them?
They're meant to hold the pads off the rotors to stop those little noises. Many of us run without them and it makes no difference, but every now and then there's a caliper that seems to need them, especially with slotteds.

I do not have these with my current setup. I will look into getting a set and see if that is the cure I seek.

emily_mx5 · Postby **emily_mx5** » Tue Jun 18, 2013 11:04 am

had the same problem when i put slotted rotors and hawk hps pads in. I had pad backing plates and no springs.
I removed the pad backing plates AND added new springs. problem fixed

Joshwahr_ · Postby **Joshwahr_** » Thu Nov 21, 2013 1:36 pm

I've got new springs, however what do you mean by backing plate specifically?

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StuwieP · Postby **StuwieP** » Thu Nov 21, 2013 3:34 pm

small piece of metal that slots between the piston and the pad (I assume that's what you mean, em?).
Removing the backing plate would give slightly more room between the piston and the pad, thus the pad and rotor - but since the brakes will adjust, what does their removal do?

I run a set of hawk blues for track days and have a sound perhaps like you describe. Pretty sure for me it's just the pads scuffing on the lip of the disc? No noticable drag or other interference.

I don't have those springs/clips; must have been lost by a previous owner

best of luck diagnosing the problem

Stu

Joshwahr_ · Postby **Joshwahr_** » Thu Nov 21, 2013 5:42 pm

Yeah after the original post I had a teardown while putting in the new springs and pad hardware. The pads are running no spacer (never had one installed), and on closer inspection the slots on the rotor pick up the edge of the pad and make the noise. Not too much you could do about it I would say.

I agree that the caliper would just adjust out any change in width of the pad/pad assembly

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