Brake pads moving in caliper?!

shauncr91 · 14 Jul 2012 at 17:09

Driving home today my car starting making a very loud conking noise when tapping the brake pedal. Got it up on a ramp and both sets of pads are moving around in the calipers (Fronts), so when the brakes apply pressure they are bashing against the caliper and causing the noise.

These pads have done less than 2000 miles from new so will be getting refunded, but has anyone got any idea why they have done this? Don't want the next set to do this

Dave L · 14 Jul 2012 at 17:20

Cheap pads, locating spring(s) missing or not seated, pad carrier shims missing.....the possibility list is endless.

jon.bda · 14 Jul 2012 at 17:31

They probably just ground the pads down instead of cleaning the carriers when they fitted the new pads...

Jonny ///M · 14 Jul 2012 at 19:34

I got this when I fitted my new discs and pads so I bought a new springs thats held them in place, or seemed to when I had it jacked up.

Noise is still there but not as bad so I'm going to let the garage have a look when I put it in for the MOT.

They are a tight fit in side to side but I think something else goes on top of the pads/between the caliper too on my car.

Dogbreath · 14 Jul 2012 at 20:05

Surprising that they have only started doing this after 2000 miles. Do you mean the entire steel back plate of the pad is free to move around within the caliper? Is the pad material securely attached to the back plate still?

shauncr91 · 14 Jul 2012 at 20:10

The pads are still in one part from what I can see, just has about 3-4mm of free play :/ When I get some free time I'll take the pads out and reseat them but I don't think it'll work

Dr Who · 14 Jul 2012 at 20:19

jon.bda said:
They probably just ground the pads down instead of cleaning the carriers when they fitted the new pads...

haha I saw many garages bodge fit pads like this 30 years ago, do they still do it?

jon.bda · 14 Jul 2012 at 20:22

Dr Who said:
haha I saw many garages bodge fit pads like this 30 years ago, do they still do it?

Time is money...

Dogbreath · 14 Jul 2012 at 20:32

Sounds like a shim has fallen out of the caliper - it's very unlikely that the pads have suddenly shrunk!

shauncr91 · 14 Jul 2012 at 20:33

Both sides are doing it though, it's isn't just one front caliper but both fronts have started doing it at the same time :confused:

Will · 14 Jul 2012 at 21:36

What car is this, Fiesta ST? I seem to recall that's what you drive...

Are the pad retaining clips on, and if so are they on properly? I know one of mine pinged off once having had the brakes done, and behaved as you described, until I got a new one fitted. They are a real pig to fit, even the garage I use said they hated the clips, worse than most Fords to fit, much swearing involved...

Dave L · 15 Jul 2012 at 07:39

My money is on cheap, ill-fitting pads floating about all over the shop.