Rotors shifting(?) from forward to reverse - anyone else?

Hi guys,

Recently I've been noticing that when my brakes first grab the rotors in a particular direction (i.e. the first time I touch the brakes going forward after being in reverse, or the first time I touch the brakes backing after being in drive), i hear a "clang" or "click". Subsequent braking makes no noise at all.

I suspect it's slack in the rotor around the stud holes, causing the rotors to be able to shift clockwise or counter-clockwise when the initial forward or reverse braking is applied. This has got me slightly worried about additional stress on the wheel studs.

Anyone else have this sound? Anyone know if it's "normal" to have a little bit of slack? Thanks.

 

My guess would be the pads shifting. I have no proof to back that up.

 

x2. There shouldn't be any slack around the stud holes, if you think there is, pull the wheel and verify. If there is slack, I would imagine that could snap those studs, they're not meant to stop rotational force, they're meant to be in tension.

 

That could be also. That would make me feel a lot better.

I'm going to pull the wheel tomorrow afternoon and see if there is any play. Even if there isn't, the studs are still acting to slow rotational momentum aren't they? Because without the studs, the rotor is free to rotate freely?

If there is some play, the initial impact of the rotor on the stud before the slack is removed is the additional stress I'm concerned about.

But it's fair to say that neither of you hear a sound similar to this?

 

I don't recall hearing anything on my truck. Although, a little related/unrelated, my wife's Camry does this: http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/1...when-i-first-start-driving-my-2010-camry.html

 

Mine does it too, i'm almost certain that it is the pads, if you take off the tire and wiggle the pads there is some play which i'm certain is the culprit.

 

Yeah mine does make the ABS sound as well.

This is definitely a mechanical, metal on metal sound, that only occurs during the first brake application in a particular rotational direction.

 

my silver truck made the exact same sound. I asked and everyone said it was nothing to worry about. that it was a metal shield hitting the rotor or caliper.
Sorry I dont remember all the specific details on it but I dont think there is a problem.

 

it is perfectly normal, once the pads wear down a little they do not sit as snug inbetween the caliper housing. they start to shift. (mainly when backing out of a driveway and going forward) as you drive the brakes heat up and the pads start to swell. noise will go away
perfectly normal

 

Rotor can't shift if the wheel is tight.

 

Thanks for the input Kevin.

Mine doesn't go away with heat. I can drive 25 miles to work and when I'm backing into the parking space it makes the noise.

That's what's I had been telling myself for a while, and why I didn't post this months ago. I'm glad someone said it

You guys a making me feel a bit better that it's likely the pads.

 

The studs sort of act to stop rotation when the brakes are applied and when under acceleration. When you torque the studs, you put tension in the bolt which holes the rotor tight against the hub. So in order for it to break free, it would have to shear off all 6 studs at the same time as well as break the friction created between the rotor and hub caused by the bolt tension. If the bolt holes are loose, all the rotor would have to do is break the friction, then there would be an impact force against the sides of the studs. I would imagine if that were the case, you'd be in deep weeds by now. If you're certain it's coming from the front, not being able to hear it I'd guess it's an issue with the pads.

 

best way to check is pull a wheel off in the front and ck to see how much pad material is left, to lower the pads are the more of a clank it will make when they shift. it is very common with honda or toyota

if you want to make it go away temporarily get rid of it, you can actually get a business card you have lying around the house, remove the pads from the housing and fold the piece of paper a few times to make a snug fit on the top and bottom of the bracket where the pads sit. the noise will stop for a few days until the paper burns off

 

As hot as the brakes get, shoving a piece of paper in there doesn't seem like the best idea... I would use thin sheet metal if anything. Paper doesn't seem like a good solution.

 

what I'm going to do is shove a piece of paper towel or something in the space between the caliper and pad, back the truck out of the driveway once, and see if it makes the noise. If it doesn't, then I have isolated the noise and know it isn't the rotors.

The noise doesn't bother me really, and if i determine it's the pads, I'll just leave it be. I don't want to snap my studs driving 60 down the highway

 

give it a try, business card works the best, you are only going to be able to fit about one or maybe two tiny pieces but it will be enough to quiet the noise. i would try to avoid using anything metalic so it doesnt slide inbetween the pad and rotor and cause damage.

there are actuall SIb's from toyota, honda and BMW to use this method to show a customer that the noise is normal and it is nothing to be concerned about. I know because I have been a tech, foreman and advisor for all 3

 

^^^^^
This, rotors will not shift unless your wheel is falling off.

Pads on this trucks have a lot of room.

 

If your wheels are properly torqued then your rotors are not moving. The only thing holding your pads in are two pins. The clanking that you hear are the pads moving up when you initially brake forward and down when you initially brake backward. It's normal and a lot of cars do it. If you want to check you can take the a wheel off and move one of the pads slightly with a screw driver. Although, it's not really worth the time.

 

My truck was making front end noises as described . I ended up changing the rotors and pads and it's been fine since.