NAPA Brake Calipers Noisy?

[gimlithepirate]

Has anyone had issues with NAPA Brake calipers being noisy? When its cold outside, and I hit the breaks when I first start the car its groans and creaks a ton. I put these on a few months ago, and so far they have been.... mediocre.

Anyone have any issues like this with NAPA or other calipers? I mainly went with NAPA because I could do the core return locally and they were coated.

 

[rdruss]

I've been using NAPA calipers for several years with no issues. Been -11 to 20 degrees F here for past two weeks, mine don't groan or at least I don't notice.
I always put 4Runner in neutral at lights or when waiting in drive throughs and see if it rolls free, if it does, tells me calipers are releasing and none sticking.

 

[waypoint]

I get pad clacking noise when I apply brakes during reversing, e.g. pulling out of a parking spot. Minor nuisance. Could be the pads, could be the calipers.

 

[jmp55]

Both of my front calipers are NAPA Reman. It's been more than 4 years since I had them. No problem this week even when it was -20 F. Paired with Akebono Pads.

 

[waypoint]

OP: what pads are you running, and did you resurface/replace your rotors when you installed them? The noises you're describing sound more like pad noise.

 

[AuSeeker]

OP: what pads are you running, and did you resurface/replace your rotors when you installed them? The noises you're describing sound more like pad noise.

This^^^^, is exactly what I was going to say, I have never heard of or experienced calipers causing the noises described, in my experience it's always the pads and or rotors that causes such noises.

 

[waypoint]

This^^^^, is exactly what I was going to say, I have never heard of or experienced calipers causing the noises described, in my experience it's always the pads and or rotors that causes such noises.

Skipping to the end: I'm speculating new pads on used rotors, and the film layer on the rotors isn't compatible with the new pads. Either that or no brake grease applied between the pad backing plates and the piston contact surfaces, along with dirty piston contact surfaces.

edit: worst example I've heard was a neighbor's car, where he replaced semi-metallic pads with ceramic pads and didn't clean or resurface the rotors. We cleaned the rotors with a Scotchbrite pad (circular wipe pattern) and Brakekleen chlorinated spray & paper towels, all fixed and lesson learned.

 

[GupsT4R]

Both of my front calipers are NAPA Reman. It's been more than 4 years since I had them. No problem this week even when it was -20 F. Paired with Akebono Pads.

+1
Exact same setup and -20 past few days.. quiet as can be.

 

[gimlithepirate]

Skipping to the end: I'm speculating new pads on used rotors, and the film layer on the rotors isn't compatible with the new pads. Either that or no brake grease applied between the pad backing plates and the piston contact surfaces, along with dirty piston contact surfaces.

edit: worst example I've heard was a neighbor's car, where he replaced semi-metallic pads with ceramic pads and didn't clean or resurface the rotors. We cleaned the rotors with a Scotchbrite pad (circular wipe pattern) and Brakekleen chlorinated spray & paper towels, all fixed and lesson learned.

Huh, I used Akebono pads on new rotors as a part of the 5th gen caliper upgrade.

Assuming the snow stops long enough to get my rig in the garage I may just try a break clean up of the front wheel. Pretty sure it's coming from the passengers front wheel.

 

[Piggity]

Huh, I used Akebono pads on new rotors as a part of the 5th gen caliper upgrade.

Assuming the snow stops long enough to get my rig in the garage I may just try a break clean up of the front wheel. Pretty sure it's coming from the passengers front wheel.

I'd take the pads out and do a figure 8 with them on some sandpaper or rough pavement. This will get all of the contaminates off the pad.

Once the truck is back on the ground I'd do some bedding in of the new pads on a quiet back road. There's probably videos on youtube of how to do it properly.

 

[rdruss]

Whenever I install new brake pads, whether with new or resurfaced rotor or just one I hand sand, I always take a large file to each pad surface and and file them down at least 20 back and forth strokes, then install and go through a break-in procedure. Have never had an issue.

 

[waypoint]

Huh, I used Akebono pads on new rotors as a part of the 5th gen caliper upgrade.

Sounds good. Possibly either you didn't get the new rotors completely clean before installation, or the new pads needed bedding-in that hasn't happened.

Depending on which specific Akebono pad you ran, bedding may or may not be required. Read up on the subject and see what applies to yours. I did a quick search and found their Pro-ACT pad does not require this, for example.

Here's an article: https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=85

Rotor cleaning: new rotors typically need a thorough cleaning of the friction surfaces with brake parts cleaner to remove rust inhibitor and other manufacturing contaminants. I use white paper towels, spray the surface and wipe circular, and keep repeating until the towel stays white (doesn't turn grey/brown/other). This followed by a good bedding-in regardless of what the pad manufacturer says.