I hoping one of you guys can help.

Recently I have noticed a knocking/clunking noise when I brake at low speeds, normally whe manovering in car parks etc.

This only happens the 1st time I change direction. Example if i'm parked in a space forward, when I reverse out and brake i get a clunk/knocking noise, if I continued to reverse they won't make the sound again, until I drive forward and brake for the first time, then no more noises until I have stopped and reversed.

It almost like the pads are moving forward and backward in the calipers.

Some time the noise is from the front, sometimes the back.

Somes times it quite, other times quite loud.

I have performance friction brake pads, they were fitted (front and rear) in Sept/Oct 2009 but I have only noticed this noise recently.

Anyone got any ideas?

Cheers

Chris

 

you will find its the pads common on subarus

 

Thanks Nick

Is it something that needs fixing or something you have to put up with?

 

well i put up with it not that bad now as i have had them replaced they dont last long being a subaru proberley 8 months i replaced the front last week got the back done but was told the front need doing again so id get them changed

 

Yes I had the same problem on my Newage STI. It's slight movement in the pads settling in either a forward or rear position. Not a problem AFAIK.

 

Another one for knocking PF pads - again only on very low speeds. Nothing to worry about (apart from when trying to sell your car and the new potential owner heres the knocking and walks away!)

 

i have the same problem,4 pots at the front with redstuff pads with their own pad shim stuck on,i hate the noise,so am going to pack out the pads with a set of subaru pad shims and see if that wedges the pads better into the caliper,i checked yesterday and the pads move forwards/backwards as if they are not getting quite enough pressure on them from the pots so worth a try i guess,if it doesnt work, i tried !!

 

The clunking noise is probably just the pads moving slightly in the caliper. The design of the 4-pots means that the pads need a small clearance top / bottom of the pad so it can actually be moved by the caliper piston. The noise is just the pad grabbing the disc, and then moving very slightly up/down in the caliper.

 

Cheers for your help guys.

Nick - I'll only do about 7k miles a year in mine so i'd hope the pads last a bit longer than 8 months for me then again I do love breaking late ;}