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MAJOR brake problem... (after install)

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Well I just finished the front brake install on my '78 and I have a big time problem...

 

I got the brakes all bleed, that worked fine, have decent brake pressure.

 

BUT when the car moves, its like a metal ochestra under my front wheels... MAJOR grinding. I know its because its new pads, and a new rotor and theres not alot of space there, but how in the heck can this be fixed or what is the problem??? Im totally clueless...

did you fully compress the pistons?i have never had this problem, but???

  • Author

I compressed them all the way down to where they were even with the caliper body, or at least close to it.

Bent gravel shield?

 

Jack the car up, turn the wheel, and listen. It should become apparent quite quickly.

I've changed the brakes on a bunch of cars, and I have NEVER had grinding noises afterwards. Before, sometimes, but that's what backing metal on rotor sounds like, and that's why the brake job happened.

 

Jack the front up, rotate the tires, and figure out what's causing it.

 

-=Russ=-

  • Author
Bent gravel shield?

 

Jack the car up, turn the wheel, and listen. It should become apparent quite quickly.

Ill double check that fast. One of them did tweak a little when I was working on it.

  • Author
are the brakes dragging, or is it all noise?

Kind of both. I presume the noise is a result of the brakes draging, but there is a big difference between when I apply the brakes vs. when the car is just moving.

  • Author

Oh and its definatly not the dust shields, I got the wheels off again with the car in the air and im rotating the hubs and its definatly pad rubbing the disc. The pistons at this point are not all the way down.

What kind of shape are the rotors in? I guess it's possible that if they're really screwed up it could cause a noise like this.

  • Author

Brand spankin new rotors.

 

I just pressed the pistons down all the way to be sure, greased the caliper shim thingies, and basically re-did everything.

 

Its even worse now...

 

EXTREME metal on metal sound.

Brand spankin new rotors.

 

I just pressed the pistons down all the way to be sure, greased the caliper shim thingies, and basically re-did everything.

 

Its even worse now...

 

EXTREME metal on metal sound.

 

did you push the pistons in, or screw them in?

 

edit, does the '78 even have screw in pistons?

  • Author
did you push the pistons in, or screw them in?

 

edit, does the '78 even have screw in pistons?

Yes yes yes, I screwed them in, used Subjunkies design for a tool, worked great.

leave a bolt where it shouldn't be

  • Author
leave a bolt where it shouldn't be

No, everything is exactly in place, I even re-did everything to be sure...

try driving it for 5 mins, see if they smooth out of heat up.i am kinda clueless??maybe you got pads or rotors for a newer sube by mistake?

  • Author

The rotors are the same, I checked. The pads are the same minus the fact they are new (IE have ALOT more material on them now)

 

I cant drive it, its INSANE how loud it is. Like if a 1940's tank rolled down your street.

I once changed the pads on a Dodge pickup, and put one side in backwards. It is quite noisy with the metal side of the pad against the rotor. Didn't hurt anything, I test drove it and pulled right back into the garage and turned that pad over. Embarrasing? Live and learn. Russell

Jack the front of the car up, spin one wheel at a time and see if only one side makes a noise, then you've at least got it down to a side.

 

Good luck

  • Author
Check your e-brake, it might be on a little.

Its not on, I gave it several yanks several times to be sure.

 

The pads seem to be right, unless they have too much material, they are metal masters.

 

I spun both brakes with the wheels off, they both do it, but one more than another.

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