Mysterious noise on braking...

[Woodcutter]

Hey all, I'm getting a weird noise when braking. It's not the grinding sound of worn down brake pads, it's a sound like a spring being tensioned or un-tensioned. It sounds more like a secondary noise related to slowing down and stopping than the brakes themselves. The brakes work fine otherwise, but the noise is obnoxious at least. Seems to be from the rear but I could be wrong.
Any ideas?
Thanks!

 

[ZebRuaj]

When's the last time you checked your parking brakes?

 

[Woodcutter]

Been a while but it did it after I had my brakes done last year so not sure that's it, but worth a check.

 

[mar5168]

Hey all, I'm getting a weird noise when braking. It's not the grinding sound of worn down brake pads, it's a sound like a spring being tensioned or un-tensioned. It sounds more like a secondary noise related to slowing down and stopping than the brakes themselves. The brakes work fine otherwise, but the noise is obnoxious at least. Seems to be from the rear but I could be wrong.
Any ideas?
Thanks!

Step 1: Locate the side the noise is coming from

Step 2: Pull the wheel, pad retaining pins, and pads

Step 3: Apply a high temp silicone or urea lube to pads where the piston contacts, retaining pins, AND the edges of the pad where it slides into the caliper.

Step 4: reassemble, test drive

Step 5: drink a beer, because it's probably fixed


Why this fixes it: It's very common for the pad to rotate enough that it physically contact the caliper when braking. During disassembly, if you have this issue, you'll be able to see witness marks where the pad edge contacts the caliper when braking. Lube quiets it down.

Also, if they're aftermarket pads, make sure the spring is stiff enough to push the pads away from the rotor when the brakes aren't being applied.

 

[nkrust24]

If you recently changed out your brake pads and/or rotors may take some time for them to "wear-in"