Brake pad question

[Burg Boxster]

photo of install & video of movement against spring etc. would help diagnose immensely. They should NOT move vertically at all against caliper retainer spring plate once correct pads are installed correctly... only on a horizontal plane in and out against rotor. Even if you release pedal you shouldn't be able to hear any substantive pad movement.

Also, did you:

- re-check all wheel bolt torques? (97 #-ft on 987 IIRC)
- remove any caliper while installing? (if just pads no need on '04 986) check caliper bolts?
- replace rotors (sounds like no)?
- replace any hardware - caliper bolts, retaining spring, retaining pin, etc.?
- apply disc brake quiet (like CRC) to backing plates helping pads stick to caliper pistons?
- use caliper grease as necessary?
- check caliper pistons for leaks and free movement - inner & outer?
- bleed/flush brake fluid system once complete?
- keep an old pad set from each axle around to measure backs against new?

Happy to help - need some more input please.

Good luck

[RL911]

Originally Posted by Burg Boxster

photo of install & video of movement against spring etc. would help diagnose immensely. They should NOT move vertically at all against caliper retainer spring plate once correct pads are installed correctly... only on a horizontal plane in and out against rotor. Even if you release pedal you shouldn't be able to hear any substantive pad movement.

Also, did you:

- re-check all wheel bolt torques? (97 #-ft on 987 IIRC) YES
- remove any caliper while installing? (if just pads no need on '04 986) check caliper bolts? YES
- replace rotors (sounds like no)? YES
- replace any hardware - caliper bolts, retaining spring, retaining pin, etc.? SPRINGS REPLACED
- apply disc brake quiet (like CRC) to backing plates helping pads stick to caliper pistons? YES
- use caliper grease as necessary? YES
- check caliper pistons for leaks and free movement - inner & outer? YES, no leaks
- bleed/flush brake fluid system once complete? No, but I bled them a month or so prior to changing the pads/totors.
- keep an old pad set from each axle around to measure backs against new? NO, it’s been a few months and I tossed them.

Happy to help - need some more input please.

Good luck

thx, see my responses above. Brake performance is good, noise only happens at a stop when I lift my foot off the brake I’ve ordered a better set of pads so will see if that fixes the issue, but I removed and reinstalled the pads this morning and everything looks pretty normal. There is some movement of the pad if I push against the spring, but it doesn’t seem particularly excessive. It’s just a loud click when I roll to a stop and let off the brake. Seems to be coming from front left around mc and the wheel, hard to pinpoint, and I can’t duplicate in the garage. Anything else in that area that could cause the click?

Also, I wasn’t aware a brake bleed was needed after pads/rotors changed since the system isn’t being opened other than removing the reservoir cap. I will give it another bleed after putting these new pads in.

[Burg Boxster]

Bleed isn't necessary but ain't gonna hurt (v cheap insurance especially after pushing all that fluid upstream back into reservoir and again down stream resetting pads against rotor. Who knows what in brake lines could've shaken loose. Regardless, trying to help you find cause by understanding all done. Which has me wondering a bit...

- replace any hardware - caliper bolts, retaining spring, retaining pin, etc.? SPRINGS REPLACED

There shouldn't be ANY play b/w top of pads & spring. In fact you should have to push down reasonably on spring in order to get retaining pin & spring cotter pin (stop) re-engaged. The pad 'ears' likewise should be firmly seated in caliper to boot.

Can you post a photo of FL caliper (even thru wheel opening could help). And of course, measure new pads upon arrival against these current pads for sizing.

Did you do anything else to vehicle aside from pads & rotors at same time?

Sounds are really hard to trace seated within... try and get someone to stand outside car next to stop and listen for clicking noise you hear to further narrow source.

Good luck