Serious problem with rear Corolla SX disc brake. Help please!

[DigitalPho3nix]

Hi all,

I have started getting a really bad noise from my rear right disc brake in my corolla. When I start driving (with cold brakes) I get a very loud metal-against-metal scraping sound, even when not using brakes. It is a constant noise, and only pulling over and pumping the brakes makes a little bit of a difference. And then a couple of metres down the road, it starts again with no warning; just wham!

The noise only seems to go away once the brakes are hot. I am due for a 4-wheel brake pad change if that makes any difference.

Please help!

DP

[Toobs]

It's probably either the indicators on the metal backing plate (anti rattle plate) touching the rotor... or the dust shield touching the rotor.
Have you your tyres changed / wheels aligned recently? The tyre shop may have bent the dust shield on you.

[Smokey228]

couldnt it jus be dead disks? they are worn down to metal, and are rubbing on the disk...
have a look if the disk has really bad scratches on them.

they could be un evenly worn, and only scrape in some positions. thats why they stop and start...??

sounds like the most simple explanation. i always try to get rid of the easiest ones b4 i get onto the complicated stuff..

[andy]

im with smokey

[BeRad]

change the pads then hahah, if there worn down to metal wouldnt that mean there making a metal to metal noise?

i have this problem every now and then one of my rotars tends to wear out one side of the pad first so they wear out twice as quick

[thechuckster]

it's as easy as looking the disk for obviousl physical damage (e.g. pads worn out) or removing the wheel and looking at the caliper and assocaited hardware.

No offence intended, but if you have a loud grinding sound coming from your car - do you stop to investigate? or continue driving in the vain hope it'll go away?

The fact that you state you're due for a disk-pad change suggests the pads are flogged out and you've stuffed the disks by wearing the pads down to bare metal. This kind of preventative maintenance only requires a car jack and a few spanners so i'm at a loss as to why you pay someone to do it?

[The Last Streetfighter]

You get someone else to do it because it is a serious, critical component of your car (ok, so front brakes more so than rear) and because some people don't feel up to the task. I replaced my rear pads and rotors 2 weeks ago and the pads were easy. But the rotors were stuck on hard. I cannot imagine my wife having the wrist strength to do the job!

[andy]

You get someone else to do it because it is a serious, critical component of your car (ok, so front brakes more so than rear) and because some people don't feel up to the task. I replaced my rear pads and rotors 2 weeks ago and the pads were easy. But the rotors were stuck on hard. I cannot imagine my wife having the wrist strength to do the job!

you know there are many things you can get her to do, to increase wrist strength. from opening beers to pleasuring you.

[andy]

change the pads then hahah, if there worn down to metal wouldnt that mean there making a metal to metal noise?

i have this problem every now and then one of my rotars tends to wear out one side of the pad first so they wear out twice as quick

get that caliper overhauled. itll fix the problem.

[4DaDrift]

Edited post.

[DigitalPho3nix]

I highly doubt I have warped rotors, then the scraping would be on/off with each revolution. This sound is constant so I suspect it is a caliper problem. Maybe one of the bolts or clips on the brake pad has failed?

I am changing the pads on thursday, so hopefully everything is resolved.

[BeRad]

the 2 rods that control the outer pad on the caliper might be seized a biti cant remeber the names the pad may not be retracting properly ive had this problem a few times with different calipers pull it apart and re grease it

[4DaDrift]

Edited post.

[thechuckster]

no, he's talking about the two rods that the floating caliper slide in & out on - which is distinct from the pistons seizing/sticking inside the caliper (and the pads not retracting away from the disk durface).

[DigitalPho3nix]

The 2 'floating' rods seem to be ok. I think the problem is the main pistons which are siezed to all hell. I don't think they have been even looked at since the car was sold!