i found a thread describing a problem exactly like my own, but no real solutions turned up, so i figured i'd try again. here goes...
the car is a 1993 240sx, stock calipers, new pads, new brembo OEM spec, cnc drilled and slotted. there are virtually no modifications to the brake system or running gear. just the upgraded rotors. there is a loud grinding/chattering noise coming from the left rear inboard brake pad when i reverse. it happens when i apply the brake lightly, and while traveling in reverse pretty slowly (idle speed) ... sometimes it happens even when the brakes aren't even being applied, almost like the caliper is still gripping a little... i checked the brakes and the pads are still good, as are the rotors, and the e-brake grabs and releases perfectly. the problem only came about after i had all four rotors and pads replaced. all shims and clips are accounted for, but the problem persists. some shops have "fixed" the problem (one shop "fixed" it 3 times) only to have it make the exact same noise as i pull out of the parking space STILL AT THE SHOP. other places have said that it is simply a noise that will not go away. they said it is "just something that can happen on a car this old" and it will not degrade the quality of the brakes or cause any other problems. its just a loud (FRIENDLY) grinding noise. any help would be much appreciated. i'm running out of things to do/suggest besides taking off the new rotors and putting the solid ones back on, although this is something i would like to avoid. i'd like to think that my money was well spent on my new rotors. PLEASE HELP, smart people!
Terrible brake noise...HELP!
Good question, seems to be a fairly common issue with 240's. Maybe a stuck caliper, like you suggested, other than that, I'm not really sure. My car does the same thing, though it sounds like it's coming from both sides of the car in my case, and I'm too damn lazy to pull my wheels off to take a look. But anyway, your guess is as good as mine, sorry I couldn't help you out at all.
No, it's not that I don't have the inclination, it's just that there's other more serious problems I'm trying to take care of first. It sounds almost like a scrapping sound, metal on metal. I doubt worn pads. Possibly warped rotors. It's been like this on my car for maybe 2 months now. WRT how common it is, there's been a few FAQ on the 240sx.org site, you might want to check that out to see if that could explain anything. But, like I said, I don't think it's anything seriously wrong, it only happens in reverse, etc. Hope that helps.
thanks. i'll check this out.
ps - why is it that simply because the rotors are x-drilled/slotted, service shops treat me like a dumb kid? it shouldnt make a bit of F-ING DIFFERENCE what rotors i used. the right side isn't doing it. make the left side identical to the right side. its that easy. but nooooooooo...."we don't know nuthin bout them there fancy rotors" YA THANKS DUMBASS YOU KNOW BRAKES, RIGHT? FIGURE IT OUT. i guess thats part of the problem of living in georgia. they're incompetent, ignorant, or just too lazy to fix it. even for money. now that's sad.
ps - why is it that simply because the rotors are x-drilled/slotted, service shops treat me like a dumb kid? it shouldnt make a bit of F-ING DIFFERENCE what rotors i used. the right side isn't doing it. make the left side identical to the right side. its that easy. but nooooooooo...."we don't know nuthin bout them there fancy rotors" YA THANKS DUMBASS YOU KNOW BRAKES, RIGHT? FIGURE IT OUT. i guess thats part of the problem of living in georgia. they're incompetent, ignorant, or just too lazy to fix it. even for money. now that's sad.
The problem has finally been resolved. i took it to ANOTHER shop, and they had it fixed quickly. they said "yeah the last guys screwed you over." it was something simple, as i expected. the pad shims were not glued in properly. and they "overlooked" this 3 times. i will never return there. its too bad i dont have a big garage and the room to do it myself, or else i would. thanks for the insight.
-drew
-drew