Guys, I need help determining an issue with a rear disk brake.
Pulled the wheel because I was hearing whisssh , whissh sound there, twice per rotation. I suspected a brake pad dragging twice per rotation (rotor warped?).
But when I looked at the rotor, I saw that the outboard pad was only touching the rotor in two places.
And the inboard side of the rotor has strange marrings on the surface that almost look like it’s been welded and ground. These marrings on the surface are higher friction when I run my finger over them, so they could possibly be the source of the noise.
Oh. And strangely, the noise doesn’t go away when braking.
Any help diagnosing would be appreciated. I’ve attached pictures, although I don’t know how useful they’ll be.
Welded looking area is a tiny bit clockwise form 12 oclock.
Thats typical of a worned rotor.Replace both with new ones along with the pads.You also need to lubricate the slider pins with brake grease.Who is doing the brake job?
Does this have a small drum brake that fits inside the hat section of the rotor for the parking brake? If it does, you are probably hearing the drum brake shoe rub the rather large amount of rust on the INside of that hat section.
No drum brake. Parking brake is actuating the caliper piston.
I guess the rotor is probably just warped. Should I try to get away with just replacing that rotor? It’s a PITA to replace everything else at the same time, since it only has 15K on it.
Fitted new rotor (but using old pads - wanted to be able to return things if rotor / pads weren’t the issue). Issue still there - rotor spins 3/4 around with clearance, then rubs for the last 1/4.
The next turtle down is the hub not spinning true. Going to buy a dial indicator today to see if I can confirm that.
I didn’t do them last time. They were done by the dealer where I bought the car used.
That should ring alarm bells, eh?!
But I didn’t have any trouble for 15K. This started suddenly.
Did lube the slide pins. One returns more freely than the other, but surprisingly the pins themselves have different designs (one has a little rubber spline on it) so I suppose it’s on purpose.
I hadn’t reattached the caliper when doing this test. Just the caliper carrier bracket with the pads in.
Ok. I always like to circle back to provide a conclusion for any future readers. But this seems to be some sort of quantum effect. By measuring the system, I have fixed it.
After measuring things with the dial indicator, I put everything back together with the old parts, assuming that I had reached the end of the line, and would take it to my mechanic. Lo and behold putting it back together this time solved the problem, although it never did before.
To be honest, there is still some small sound, but I have to really listen for it, with the windows open. Before, it was a clear loud noise in the cabin.