Front brake noise AGAIN!!

[mercmadjim]

In December 08, my car (C180k 03 plate) developed a screeching noise when gently braking and turning left, it was a really horrible metal on metal noise, and it was ok turning right and going straight.

I cleaned the calipers and discs and glaze busted the pads, re-assembled using coppa slip and all was well.....untill yesterday, the noise has returned, is it worth me buying new pads? have I missed something? car was MOTed last week straight through and when I did the pads in December I checked the wheel bearings.
Have I got a bad set of pads?? or is this something I will have to do on a regular basis?

 

[Smudge]

You might haved a stone or something jammed in the caliper.
Try reversing with brakes gently applied. The pads won't make that kind of noise unless worn down to metal.

 

[television]

I have to agree with Smudge, not the pads, back plate maybe, there is not that much that can do it

 

[mercmadjim]

Thank you both for your replies, the pads have loads of meat on them, the discs are in good condition, there is no sign of anything touching, no shiny area's etc, I wondered if anybody else has the same problem.

 

[redlaser]

The previous owner of my 300SEL had the same problem..he said the ABS system was the culprit...the solution was an adjustment to same..so long ago now I can't recall the adjustment!!

 

[mitchel]

hi im having the same problem on my c class w203,changed front pads discs,track control arm,ball joint,and rear shoes,still cant find what it is and it is really anoying hopefully you get to the culprit on yours as it may be the same on my car

 

[television]

Giving this some thought, it should be a wheel bearing that is loose, this could allow the wheel to tip just enough to make the disc rub on the pads. they are easy to check

 

[meanie]

Have you tried filing a small leading edge onto the pads?

 

[mitchel]

hi what is the best way to check the wheel bearings as iv looked at both and they seem ok

 

[television]

You jack the wheel and rock it quite hard and any play that could be causing this problem will be felt, there should be no play that you could feel

 

[mitchel]

thanks,im sure its from the front passenger wheel, and is worse when i turn right,is it hard to change the wheel bearing, as im thinking of changing it today

 

[television]

You do not have to change the bearing if the wheel spins with no noise, and it feels very smooth as you turn it. you can jack the wheel and remove the dust end cap. Slacken the clamp holding the end nut on. next spin / turn the wheel while doing up the nut until the wheel starts to get a little harder to turn, the back the nut off one quarter of a turn. that will leave it near enough.

The reason that the wheel is turned when adjusting is so that the rollers in the bearing do not make indentations in the bearing cages

 

[mitchel]

thanks malcolm im just going to try that just now

 

[mercmadjim]

Well I was going to check everything thing again, but the noise has gone, as mysteriously as it came!!

The only thing I did was braked a damn sight harder than I normally do, I am usually very gentle on the brakes (relaxed driving style), but I got quite narked at the damn thing I went out and done some very hard stops.
Quiet again.....so I can only assume brake pads.

 

[television]

When you buy new brake pads, they are painted and it is important the the paint is sanded / filed off the edges so the the pads are a loose slide in fit, if this is not done then the pad cannot back off, this will make a light grating sound when cornering. There is nothing else that can really do it