'Clicking' brakes

[Dan T]

Hi all,

I have an intermittent clicking sound when I apply my brakes. It doesn't appear to follow any particular pattern (sometimes it happens when I brake hard, sometimes when I gently touch the brakes, sometimes when I first set off, and others not until I've done a bit of a distance).

It sounds to me like it's coming from the front, and over the last few days (although still intermittent) it has got louder.

Any ideas what it could be?

Thank you

[dave_aber]

When you say an intermittent clicking sound, do you mean that on braking you sometimes get a single click, other times don't, or that sometimes get a click, click, click, and sometimes don't, or that you get a random clicking noise, but only when (sometimes) braking?

Could be a number of things really - loose pads, loose caliper, cracked disk, loose wheel, etc.

Have you taken the front wheels off to have a look?

Cheers
Dave

[Dan T]

Thanks Dave,

It's an intermittent single click (or extremely quick double click) when the brakes are first applied, but not every time I brake... there are no clicks at any other time.

Haven't had a chance to get the wheels off yet - and TBH I probably wouldn't know what I was looking at even if it jumped up and whacked me on the nose

Just wanted an idea so when I take to someone who 'knows', I can have an idea of cost of parts etc. beforehand!

Thanks again,

Dan

[dave_aber]

Sounds like possibly loose pad or pads - maybe a anti-rattle shim has broken and fallen out allowing a wee bit of movement?

Or it could be a lower ball joint, or wishbone bushes?

Or a loose caliper?

Definitely something that you should have a knowledgeably eye looking at before something unpleasant happens.

[Dan T]

Thanks for your prompt replies Dave, will get it looked at next week.

Dan

[mikeonb4c]

Sounds like possibly loose pad or pads - maybe a anti-rattle shim has broken and fallen out allowing a wee bit of movement?

Or it could be a lower ball joint, or wishbone bushes?

Or a loose caliper?

Definitely something that you should have a knowledgeably eye looking at before something unpleasant happens.

I think it may well be anti rattle shims. You notice it especially if - say - you reverse and applying brakes, then move forward a bit and apply them again. Its as though the pads have floated back, then forward.

But if it is this, I don't think it is serious, just mildly irritating. I left mine to do it until I was due to change the pads anyway. New pads, new shims, problem gone. Some time later I think it is coming back a bit, and I believe it is as the pads wear that the shims drop out. I think I even read on here that this was by design, to remind you pads were getting due for changing, but I've no idea if that is true and anyway mine still had a ways to go when it happened.

So, my advice is:

DON'T PANIC

[tallbongo]

My mazda 626 has a similar problem at the moment. Mechanic assures me it's safe to drive while I await the shims being delivered.

[Doone]

The cheapest solution is to try greasing the slides and pads. If that's all it needs, this can cure the click.
But when you look at the brakes, you'll be able to see if more is needed... they may need shims or new pads, carriers etc.
If the click is caused by the brakes, there are several common reasons for this and fixing it is usually straight forward.

[mp3oplecarrier]

...apart from sourcing the anti rattle shims! mine have been like it over a year now and I've not found any...

[Darkstar]

i have the same thing, but i think its a worn pivit pin on the break pedal its self, (part no 9923208249) http://www.lushprojects.com/bongopartsm ... mgno=.html
i'm going to have a look sometime this week, when it stops RAINING

[mikeonb4c]

...apart from sourcing the anti rattle shims! mine have been like it over a year now and I've not found any...

agree with you there - its slack of suppliers not to include these in replacement pad sets I reckon