26mm Z brake issue on S13

[skydragoness]

Hello. This is my dilemma as of present:To illustrate what i have equipped before i describe my issue:

z32 26mm calipers, axxis semi-metallic pads, stainless braided lines from HeavyThrottle, slotted rotors drilled for 4-lug.

The issue i'm having, which i *also* had with my stock brakes, is this vague feeling that a pad shifts or there is an audible click when i go to apply light pressure on the brake pedal, the shift is felt thru the pedal, if i brake harder it doesn't occur, and i've noticed it happens at low speed/light braking i.e. a 'rolling stop' or something. And it feels like it's coming from the driver's side. I've been told it could be an upside down clip? Or a pin issue?

Thanks very much for the insight!

[NISTECH]

The key here is you had the problem before you put these brakes on. The pads in the Z32 calipers can not shift due to the fact there is a pin that runs through the top and bottom of the pad. If the pads were aftermarket and the bores for the pins where to oblong theoretically they would be able to shift. I think your problem lies somewhere else and not with the brakes since you had the problem with the original brakes on there. I am guessing suspension wise you have replaced the T/C rods? If not thats where I would start looking. Also check your wheel bearings for play, maybe their not tightened properly.

[skydragoness]

Allright, thanks. I did have my t/c rods replaced with oe ones already. Not my inner tie rods though, perhaps it is them? I'll have the wheel bearing looked into as well. As far as the pads go, they're aftermarket. (and so were the ones on the stock calipers before) I had a Z guy tell me that perhaps one of the clips are upside down?

It happens with much less frequency with the z brakes, i've driven 10 miles round trip without it happening while with the stock brakes it happened a good deal.

edit:after giving it a little more thought, i have a feeling it may be my wheel bearings. i also get a vibration/shimmy at 50mph or so which i attributed to the fact i need an alignment badly, and i can't remember when the tires were last balanced (this past winter i think) I'll check into that. Thanks!

[NISTECH]

I dont really see the clips being upside down being your clunk,if its the clips I am thinking of it would be more a consistant scraping noise.

The shimmy may be tire balance if its consistant at a certain speed and does not come and go at that speed it is tires or wheels out of balance. Tie rods?? maybe but it would likely be a rack end force adjustment if thats the cause of the clunk. easy to check with the front tires off the ground tyr to jerk the tires back and forth in the turning directions if it pops only when jerking the tire back and forth in the turning direction and not top and bottom of the tire then it is likely the rack inner tie rods. this usually indicates wear in the rack and usually cant be completely adjusted out. Ends up unfortunitly being a rack replacement. Note though this test can easily be confused with excessive bearing play the part where I mentioned the top and bottom of the tire you are trying to do the same jerking motion as if your trying to turn the tire on its side. If it has the same play that way then it is your bearings that are loose.

[C-Kwik]

A clicking noise could also be the pistons in the calipers sticking slightly. I had a noise from my calipers when I first got them and ended up rebuilding them. The noise went away. This noise that I heard could be heard while stopped as well just by simply pressing the brake pedal further down.