Loose Brake Pad

[Patches_O'Houlihan]

Hey everyone,

About a year ago I changed all my brake pads and rotors (purchased Hawk HPS from Nextmod.) The past while there has been a metal on metal noise going over bumps on the rear passenger side. Had my car in at Mazda and changed the end links on Friday since they were shot. I was driving home and noticed the sound was still there...but realized it goes away when I apply any sort of brake pressure. Got home and was poking around at the brake pad and noticed that the pad is a little loose (can move it up and down with my fingers through my rims.) Every other corner of the car is perfectly fine with no issues, just the rear passenger.

I have searched around and some people seem to have had the same issue but I haven't been able to really find a true fix to it. Any suggestions before I just go out and buy some new rear pads and get them replaced? Thanks!

[Patches_O'Houlihan]

By the way its a 2009 GS!

[mazdabetty]

I wouldn't even try to fix them, buy a new set. Happened to me about a month ago, both front pads were loose, one came off completely and cracked.

I asked my friend who offered to replace them for me if I should look into Hawks or something similar, but he informed me that I did not have a race car and not to waste my money lol. Bought a set of ceramic Wagner Thermoquiets on sale at part source, and after doing a buttload of research, also discovered people tend to prefer that particular Wagner brand over the hawks. Just sayin', don't waste your cash if you don't need to... Fixing them might end up costing you more than shelling out $60 for new ones.

[Patches_O'Houlihan]

Thanks! I was leaning towards just replacing them anyways but you definitely convinced me. Next weekend should be fun...new suspension, new brake pads, and possibly a new rear swaybar....good times!

[Wes08M3]

I wouldn't even try to fix them, buy a new set. Happened to me about a month ago, both front pads were loose, one came off completely and cracked.

I asked my friend who offered to replace them for me if I should look into Hawks or something similar, but he informed me that I did not have a race car and not to waste my money lol. Bought a set of ceramic Wagner Thermoquiets on sale at part source, and after doing a buttload of research, also discovered people tend to prefer that particular Wagner brand over the hawks. Just sayin', don't waste your cash if you don't need to... Fixing them might end up costing you more than shelling out $60 for new ones.

+1

Wagner Thermoquiet pads are an excellent choice for those who aren't looking for any better than OEM performance. One of the shops I used to work for (in Ottawa actually) would ONLY ever put those pads on the cars they worked on. Never had any problems with them. Also used them on my mazdaspeed protege and they were perfect.

[kickz]

someone might have installed the pads back wards

[Flagrum_3]

Hey everyone,

About a year ago I changed all my brake pads and rotors (purchased Hawk HPS from Nextmod.) The past while there has been a metal on metal noise going over bumps on the rear passenger side. Had my car in at Mazda and changed the end links on Friday since they were shot. I was driving home and noticed the sound was still there...but realized it goes away when I apply any sort of brake pressure. Got home and was poking around at the brake pad and noticed that the pad is a little loose (can move it up and down with my fingers through my rims.) Every other corner of the car is perfectly fine with no issues, just the rear passenger.


I have searched around and some people seem to have had the same issue but I haven't been able to really find a true fix to it. Any suggestions before I just go out and buy some new rear pads and get them replaced? Thanks!

Does the noise occur ONLY when you hit irregularities on the road, and is basically silent over smooth roads? Also is it more like a quick metallic rattle or a single clanking sound?

I wouldn't be so quick to assume you need new pads, there can be other possibilties which could create a loose pad(s) and I highly doubt the pads could be backwards, that, would be a nifty trick.

_3

[stock3]

Sounds like a seized caliper or slide pins to me.

[TheMAN]

Does the noise occur ONLY when you hit irregularities on the road, and is basically silent over smooth roads? Also is it more like a quick metallic rattle or a single clanking sound?

I wouldn't be so quick to assume you need new pads, there can be other possibilties which could create a loose pad(s) and I highly doubt the pads could be backwards, that, would be a nifty trick.

_3
I think the guy meant putting the pad on the piston side of the caliper instead of the side facing the wheel
the rear pads are made in such a way, that it matters which pad goes where

[krimsalt]

It sounds like a bad piston to be honest. These are computer controlled and constantly adjusting brakes - it should adjust for wear so I doubt it is the pads, pretty sure you have a bad piston

[TheMAN]

computer controlled? what are you smoking? the brake calipers are purely mechanical and have NO electrical parts attached!

[peterm15]

computer controlled? what are you smoking? the brake calipers are purely mechanical and have NO electrical parts attached!

+1
Apart from abs I've never heard of computer controlled brakes as a standard or readily available system. I do assume they exist, as people with no legs can drive with some mods, but I'm with the man on this. They are adjusted through hydraulics, not computers.

[Wes08M3]

It sounds like a bad piston to be honest. These are computer controlled and constantly adjusting brakes - it should adjust for wear so I doubt it is the pads, pretty sure you have a bad piston

Are you referring to the electronic brake force distribution? Although it's "electronic", the pistons in the brake calipers themselves are in no way directly controlled electronically. Purely hydraulic, as others have said.

[mazdabetty]

I wouldn't be so quick to assume you need new pads, there can be other possibilties which could create a loose pad(s) and I highly doubt the pads could be backwards, that, would be a nifty trick.

Yeahhh... If the pad is loose and is able to move around like that, OP NEEDS new pads... in fact OP should probably stop driving their car altogether... that is extremely dangerous. I was able to move my pad like that and when the pads were changed, check out what we found... BOTH front pads were loose and separated from their backing as soon as we took them off the car. Talk about a death wish...

As far as WHY this happened, it could be a product defect like mine was, or it could be seized caliper, seized slide pins, etc etc etc as mentioned above. When the pads are changed you will be able to tell what the problem is... get them looked at by a professional ASAP. People throwing out random suggestions online isn't going to help you figure out what the real issue is, and right now it sounds like a safety hazard that needs to be taken care of right away.

http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/7687/54959269586617372422730.jpg

[Flagrum_3]

Yeahhh... If the pad is loose and is able to move around like that, OP NEEDS new pads... in fact OP should probably stop driving their car altogether... that is extremely dangerous. I was able to move my pad like that and when the pads were changed, check out what we found... BOTH front pads were loose and separated from their backing as soon as we took them off the car. Talk about a death wish...

As far as WHY this happened, it could be a product defect like mine was, or it could be seized caliper, seized slide pins, etc etc etc as mentioned above. When the pads are changed you will be able to tell what the problem is... get them looked at by a professional ASAP. People throwing out random suggestions online isn't going to help you figure out what the real issue is, and right now it sounds like a safety hazard that needs to be taken care of right away.

http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/7687/54959269586617372422730.jpg

Hey I didn't say he doesn't need new pads, I just said don't assume it. There could be other issues as mentioned by others. The point was; to get them checked out pronto! ....and to figure out the reason they are loose!

_3

[Flagrum_3]

Hey everyone,

About a year ago I changed all my brake pads and rotors (purchased Hawk HPS from Nextmod.) The past while there has been a metal on metal noise going over bumps on the rear passenger side. Had my car in at Mazda and changed the end links on Friday since they were shot. I was driving home and noticed the sound was still there...but realized it goes away when I apply any sort of brake pressure. Got home and was poking around at the brake pad and noticed that the pad is a little loose (can move it up and down with my fingers through my rims.) Every other corner of the car is perfectly fine with no issues, just the rear passenger.

I have searched around and some people seem to have had the same issue but I haven't been able to really find a true fix to it. Any suggestions before I just go out and buy some new rear pads and get them replaced? Thanks!

Okay recently, I had the brakes replaced all around. A day or two later I started hearing a clanking sound over most road irregularities. I decided to listen for the noise while I had the brakes applied, ever so lightly,...well with the brakes applied there was no noise. Anyways took the car back and checked it out, it was a retainer clip which had for some weird reason popped-out of place just enough to allow the inside pad to rattle. Pushed the clip in and alls well.

_3

[breakfasteatre]

those wagner pads are really nice, i put them in my legacy and passat to replace the oem. Really nice quality product

[Flagrum_3]

those wagner pads are really nice, i put them in my legacy and passat to replace the oem. Really nice quality product

They have Wagner Thermo Quiets on sale at PartSource right now, 15% off. If anyone cares ;-)


_3

[liquidzyklon]

I just want to drop my 2 cents regarding the Wagner Thermoquiets (ceramic) pads. My dad has used this on the fronts of his 2002 Honda Civic and they are great, i.e. low noise and last long. Based on this experience, I have used the same Wagner Thermoquiet ceramic pads on my 2008 Mazda3 rears and they are so-so due to the loud squeal that occurs after rain or moisture air (I know this is common problem, but this was less prevalent with stock parts). In addition, the parts squeal faintly even in this summer weather until the pads are warm. So my work around now is drive the first little bit with e-brake lightly engaged to warm up pads.

Based on my experience, Mazda3 has different rear disc designs that other cars leading to squeals. I personally had minimal sound using the stock pads with stock rotors so I plan to return to that next round of doing brakes.

[Patches_O'Houlihan]

Just an update to this issue for anyone who has the issue in the future!

I had Jimmy replace all my pads and rotors and look over the braking system in general in the rear. The rattle went away...I was enjoying some window down driving (that rattle annoyed me so I always had the windows up) and this morning it came back!

I'm guessing if it was something like a piston that would have been discovered when Jimmy replaced the pads and rotors?

Any extra help would be awesome...just want this rattle gone!

[mazdabetty]

Sure it's not your bushings? (Is it coming from the rear?) My ride rattled like CRAZY before realizing those needed replacing. Super annoying.

[Jackal]

Pads are probably loose. I went in to get my pads replaced by Jimmy two weeks ago and I got a sound like it was loose and not catching properly. I brought it back and it's good as new. Bring it back to Jimmy and he'll re-seat the pad(s) or fix whatever problem there might be.

[win-]

I'm having this exact same issue/sound. Left rear, clanking over small bumps/irregularities in the road. My 2011 has 13,000km. I can duplicate the noise with the e-brake up 3 clicks and slightly pressing the gas from a stop. Also, when I hit the left rear tire hard with the side of my hand the noise is there. Got my girlfriend to pull the e-brake up 2 clicks and hit it again. Sure thing it's gone. Went underneath and hit the back side of the caliper with my palm and there's the clank. I'm assuming it's the pads rattling around so I'm going to take it to mazda to see if they can warranty the rear pads. I'm just worried if it is something else they may void my warranty because I have eibach prokits installed.
I'm also worried that they're going to mess up my plastidipped rims. *sigh* I guess I'm gonna have to dip the rears again.

[Newlook]

Anyone got a remedy to this problem?

One of my left rear brake pad is rattling. The pads are installed correctly (not backwards) and it's the outside one that is rattling. Given that the outside one does not have all the clips on the backing like the piston side one to hold it in place, it just "sits" in the caliper.... how do you stop it from moving around the caliper?

The pads fit flush when I first installed them... the noise started about two months after I installed the new brakes.

[Rob23]

Anyone got a remedy to this problem?

One of my left rear brake pad is rattling. The pads are installed correctly (not backwards) and it's the outside one that is rattling. Given that the outside one does not have all the clips on the backing like the piston side one to hold it in place, it just "sits" in the caliper.... how do you stop it from moving around the caliper?

The pads fit flush when I first installed them... the noise started about two months after I installed the new brakes.

Ive been fighting with this for the longest time now, I finally fixed the problem. Then on the front one of my calliper seizes, I get it changed with a brand new one and the pads are chattering in the front

[Newlook]

Ive been fighting with this for the longest time now, I finally fixed the problem. Then on the front one of my calliper seizes, I get it changed with a brand new one and the pads are chattering in the front

That's what happened to me too, I changed the rear caliper along with the pads.

I found a video, anyone tried this?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcAwV0wd92A

Fast forward to 3:40. In the comments he mentioned his pad chatters and this homemade shim solved his problem!

[Rob23]

That's what happened to me too, I changed the rear caliper along with the pads. How did you fix the problem?

I Replaced the rear calliper as the parking brake mechanism was not working (it was the one clunking) Put anti-seize on the back of the old pads and put them in the new calliper and now its working perfectly.

Then my front calliper seized and I got it replaced at a shop and now it is clunking, so I am going to take the pads out and put anti-seize on the back of them and hopefully that fixes it.

are you on aftermarket pads of OEM?

[Newlook]

My pads are OEM.

So I figured it out! I took the wheel off, it turns out the anti-rattling clip (retention clip) was very loose. I can move the outside pad with my finger and it jiggles inside the bracket. I took a couple hours sitting on the ground with a couple pliers trying to refabricate the tension of the clip and FINALLY got it tight enough to hold the pad in place. Mind you it literally all bend outta shape and doesn't look like the original but whatever, it works for now... if the noise comes back I know I'll have to get new clips and how to fix it.

These guys:

http://www.autopartsnetwork.com/images/catalog/wp/full/W01331800586OES.JPG

[Rob23]

Good job man.