Rattling brakes - 230 TE

[Allan Boyd]

I have just bought a 1988 (may be 86) 230TE and the front brakes don't half rattle!

I have assumed the noise is the brakes as it stops when they are applied and once released they start to rattle again.

I am a bit confused as the Haynes manual mentions an anti rattle spring but speaking to a dealer he said there wasn't one. I haven't taken off the caliper as yet since I am supposed to replace the guide pin bolt when refitting so I cannot see for myself but if there is an anti rattle spring, it isn't working!
The pads on the car look fairly new but if I need to replace them I will do just to stop the noise from an otherwise great old car.

Any help gratefully received.
Regards,
Allan

 

[tom7035]

There are two caliper types, sliding and fixed. If you have a guide pin bolt then you have the former. The latter have anti-rattle springs. Don't know though at which point or model they changed.

 

[turnipsock]

The proper merc pads have a metal plate thing on the back. You can also buy pads without the metal bits from other sources.

When you buy the proper pads, they come with new bolts in the box.

The pads have springs attached. If these were to break then you would have major rattle I imagine.

The pads are really easy to change. You just need a 13mm and 15mm (open ended) spanner.

It may be that some of the guide pins are jamming in some way, check the rubbers aren't damaged.

 

[nicky]

Apply some copper grease on the back of the pads and refit,,,then give it a try...

 

[Silver Arrow]

If it's a clicking sound, it would indicate a missing anti rattle spring. It once happend to my wife's Volvo following a service. The professionals had just left them out!

 

[Allan Boyd]

Thanks for the help.
It was the anti rattle springs that were totally rusted away even though the brakes had a lot of life left in them. The replacement pads came with springs attached and looked like proper springs rather than the flat metal type that had rotted away. They also came with 4 new link bolts but they couldn't accomodate the wear indicator so I removed the wire for this.
Regards,
Allan