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Rattle after brake job

19K views 22 replies 12 participants last post by  TalonTsi90 
Just want to what I found regarding rattles after front brakes have been replaced. I have one of the first GJ series Mazda 6 Sport build date 11/2012. Purchased new in Feb 2013. After about 12 months my front brakes started to shudder. It was mild, and only when high speed braking. Dealer had the Rotors machined all seemed fine. Then shudder returned again, Rotors machined again. On the 3rd time I asked to have the rotors replaced under warranty which was denied. So machined again. Shudder returned and I learned to live with it for the next three years. At 131,000 km was advised to replace front and rear pads. Had it done by a brake specialist. Yep, rotors machined again. 3 months later, after having issues with the work done, the shudder returning plus added squealing brakes and also a Rattle from the Drivers front area I just could not find. Took it to a suspension place. They could not find anything wrong. But they did mention that there is a rattle. I had had enough. So I purchased new front rotors and Genuine Mazda Pads. Fitted them. Shudder and squeal gone. Happy days. This is when I realized that my front pads did not have the Anti rattle clips fitted to the pads. There were 4 of them sitting in the Mazda Brake Pad box. All this time. This rattle sounded so much like the top bearing plate of the strut starting to get noisy. But it only rattled on some sharp bumps in the road. Not all of them. Just some. It would not rattle when braking though. I was even contemplating removing the strut and replacing the bearing at one stage.
Look sorry for a long Post. I had many months of trying to work out what this damn rattle was. The answer 4 Anti Rattle clips. One fitted top side of each Pad.
Hope this helps the next Mazda owner with a weird rattle.
 

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So you’re saying there is no rattle with the clips removed? Correct. You did not put them back on did you?
Hi PBTX,

No.
Who ever did the work machining the rotors & fitted the pads on my vehicle, did not refit the anti rattle clips. So, when I first started looking for the rattle, there were no clips fitted to the pads. I assumed after having the brakes done they would have fitted the all parts required. Also, I wasn't happy with the way the car was braking after the job, so I decided to get new rotors and pads. It wasn't until I purchased genuine Mazda pads from Mazda that I found the new clips inside the box. As there were none on the old ones I didn't fit them at first. Once I realized what they were and where they needed to go, I fitted them and the rattle was gone. It was like a steel on steel sound. Clanging. Only on sharp jarring bumps. I was able to make it rattle by driving the drivers wheel over large cats eyes or road studs on the road. ( RHD Vehicle )
Hope this was a better explanation and helps others that may hear the same sort of rattle clanging sound that drove me crazy.
Regards
Soul Red
 
Just an FYI Soul Red,

Some may call those anti rattle clips, but those are your front mechanical wear indicator clips. They make a squeak noise when your pads are worn down. They are required to go on the top end of all four front brake pads (for some years and models). Without them, there is not enough tension and they move around and rattle. Shocked that a dealer and a suspension shop did not catch this!?! ....but glad you did.
Hi College Car,
Thanks. Glad I did too. I think everyone was looking a the suspension first. I believed it was.
Regarding these clips, not sure we're talking about the same part. These clips do not go anywhere near the rotors or brake pad. They fit right at the end of the brake pad slide and caliper.

The pad wear indicators for my pads are fitted to the backing plate. It has 4 little steel bits which wraps around past the back of the pad & about 2 mm past it. This gives you that squealing warning noise while there is still about 2mm of brake pad left.
It helps you with not getting to the grinding warning sound which means lots of money now. LOL

Thanks again.
 
Guys I'm having what seems to be the same issue on my 2016 Mazda6 Touring. Just bought the car used and I think the brakes were done relatively recently. I get a rattle primarily from the drivers side front that happens when going over uneven road or potholes. Doesn't happen all the time. Took the car back to the dealership and mechanic looked at the brakes and found that the little rubber rings on the brake pins were sliding around not staying in place, so he replaced the pins. Still there's the rattle, so he thinks it's the strut but I don't think it is. Also, I get a delay when I pull off the brakes when sitting at a stop light for little while. Not sure what's going on with that, but it sounds like the anti-rattle clips are the answer to the rattle because similarly I don't have the rattle when I apply a little pressure to the brakes and go over bumps. I'll let you guys know what I find out. Thanks for this forum.
Hi MazdainMiami,
As mention in my earlier post, the rattle was very frustrating, and the best part was everywhere I went to have it checked out told me all is fine with the brakes. It may be this or maybe that. I was even thinking Struts.
When the clips are fitted, you will be able to see them through the wheels. It will be on the top slider lug of the brake pad which slides in the caliper. 2 per wheel. 1 inner & 1 outer.
Should checkout other Mazda 6's brake calipers when your in carparks. Just don't get arrested. LOL Even other 6's in other Car Dealerships.

Regarding the delay with the brakes at the set of lights. It may be the brake hold. Mazda 6 has this feature which will hold the brakes until you accelerate. Mine does it mainly for hills or slight sloppy roads. Stops rolling backwards on slight & steep inclines. If it is doing all the time it be wise to get it looked into also. Could be just a sticking or lazy brake caliper.

Hope the rattle issue you are having is solved soon.
My 6 will be 10 years old this December. Bought New.
Still love driving it.

Regards
Soul Red
 
The pads absolutely cannot rattle in the calipers. If the caliper bolts are properly tightened, they absolutely cannot rattle either. If its a clanging type of rattle, its the backing plate, easy to bend and just as easy to bend back.

Hi Talon Tsi90,

I understand rattles can come from any part of the vehicle.

My backing plates were in perfect order. Check that too. Not bent, not loose. Not touching anything.

You say Brake Pads cannot rattle. I say its possible, Pads can rattle.
That's why Mazda supplied the clips in the Brake Pad Box.

As I understand there is a very small gap between Brake Pad and the Rotors when the brakes are not applied. So, there could also be a very small gap between the Brake Pad & the Caliper Piston. I believe when my vehicles front suspension would hit sharp bumps, or as I tested it by driving over cats eyes on the road, the pad would wobble slightly taping the piston. This would give a steely clanging rattle noise. Once you put your foot on the brake pedal ever so slightly, those gaps are closed. Therefore the rattle is gone. Just like I described in my earlier post and what MazdainMiami has mentioned his vehicle is experiencing. While trying to solve this issue, I used a very small amount of brake grease around the back of the pad where the piston would make contact, and also on the pad slide lugs. Guess what? Rattle was gone. After a few weeks it would return. So I knew I was on to something. I went through a hell of a time finding this issue. So close to spend a small fortune to replace all front suspension Bushes, Tie rod ends. Ball Joints Shocks, Strut bearing plates. So Close.
I believe when I put the Mazda supplied anti rattle clips on the pads and fitted them, it tightened the pads enough against the caliper which in turn stops the pad from its wobble and hitting the piston. No rattle.

Look. All I know for sure is I had a rattle without these in place, and once I had fit them, rattle was gone, and hasn't returned. Rattle issue was at 131,000km. I just had 190,000km Service done at the Mazda Dealer. Car is in perfect condition.
70,000km later. This car is driven 7 days a week & I haven't heard that rattle ever since the clips were fitted.

As you may already know anything is possible when is comes to motor vehicles.
Not saying this will solve the issue MazdainMiami is having.
But why not check it out? It fixed mine.

Here to help.
See Below

Grey Wood Gas Bumper Glove



Vehicle Fixture Car Automotive design Auto part
 
Not possible. Youd know this if you worked on your own car.

Oh LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL oh That is funny. Funny Funny Funny.
Sorry. Are you reading what I'm typing?

I fitted new Rotors = I worked on my own car
I fitted the pads = I worked on my own car
I put brake grease on the rear of the pad where the brake piston makes contact = I worked on my own car
I check your own theory of the backing plate which was not the cause = I worked on my own car
I Fixed the Clanging Rattle on my vehicle that no one else could find (Dealers, Brake Specialist, Suspension Experts) = I worked on my own car

I also replaced the rear rotors and pads 6 months ago. =I worked on my own car
I even own a Handbrake Caliper tool so I can work on my own car
LOLOLOLOLOL
Sorry. more for you to read below. Feel Free


I mention my car is serviced by the Dealer and you think I don't work on cars. Lol lol lol OMG. Both my cars are serviced by a Mazda Dealer. This started right from the their first 1000km service interval. Most services cost me $294.00 discounted. For this I get to drive a the latest model Mazda 6, Mazda 3 SP25 GT ( bought one for my second car), CX 5's, CX30. Pick a model I've driven it to work while mine is serviced. The vehicle has all relevant updates installed and any recall attended too. The log book is stamped to show its service history is done according to manufactures specifications.
And wait for it. It also gets cleaned inside and out too. How good is that? Sure some of the major services cost a couple hundred more. But, it shows the vehicle is in top ship shape condition & is cared for. Used car buyers love this. One owner plus all that service history. This car has not let me down in 9 plus years, nor has my M3. Except for that damn rattle.

lololololololol.
OOPs Sorry still laughing.

Lets see. I was taught by my Grandfather (RIP), an A Grade Mechanic form way back. Real Old School stuff. In the days when you repaired Water Pumps and Brake Master Cylinders. You know, honing out the wheel cylinders, re-kit Fuel Pumps, Recondition Engines and Gear boxes. Engine Head reconditioning ( Valve grinding Lapping replacing valve seats ) Building high performance engines. Getting them to run sweet, all before the world of the internet was invented. No Forums. You had a problem you solved it. No one else would. I can tune an engine just by listening to it. No electric timing light, just your ear. Rebuild Carburetors, Know the difference between an engine problem being electrical or fuel just by revving the engine and listening to it

Lowering & Raising vehicles suspensions, rebuild entire front & rear suspensions. Axle & Diff repair and replacements. Wasn't long ago I solve a few issues for a mate with his Monaro Coupe GTS 350. ( 70's Aussie Muscle car ) If I told you how it was fixed I know what you would reply.

I started working on cars when I was 15 years old. I'm now 9 yrs off retirement. So why would I spend time servicing my vehicle, when I can get to drive all these New vehicles mentioned above, get my car cleaned at the same time, and spend more time on the older cars I love & I grew up with.

Cars these days you plug them in to a laptop. Codes are shown what it might be. Then the guessing game starts while they spend your money trying to fix the issue.

Now through all my years of fixing all different types of vehicles I've owned, I have learnt a few things. Anything is possible & Nothing is impossible.

I've joined this forum to get information to assist me to sort out this rattle I had, and to help look after my Mazda 6 and Mazda 3.
To share information I have found with my vehicles, and help those who come across strange issues like this Rattle, which I noticed, more & more Mazda 6's are coming across as they get older.
Issues that dealers or you local mechanic would charge you hours and hours of labor costs. So as you mention, Issues you can fix by working on your own car.
I believe that's what this forum is all about people being helpful and also respect, what others have found and share.
Just like I have tried to respected your comments.

Anyway, as I've mentioned above.
I have 9 yrs till retirement and I cant afford to waste to much more time. I could have been not working on one of my vehicles.
It has been a pleasure communicating with you
So I wish you all the best for the future.

From Soul Red who fixed the Clanging Rattle in his Mazda 6 by fitting the Anti Rattle Clips which were in the New Pads Box supplied by my Mazda Dealer Parts Section..
 
Guys I'm having what seems to be the same issue on my 2016 Mazda6 Touring. Just bought the car used and I think the brakes were done relatively recently. I get a rattle primarily from the drivers side front that happens when going over uneven road or potholes. Doesn't happen all the time. Took the car back to the dealership and mechanic looked at the brakes and found that the little rubber rings on the brake pins were sliding around not staying in place, so he replaced the pins. Still there's the rattle, so he thinks it's the strut but I don't think it is. Also, I get a delay when I pull off the brakes when sitting at a stop light for little while. Not sure what's going on with that, but it sounds like the anti-rattle clips are the answer to the rattle because similarly I don't have the rattle when I apply a little pressure to the brakes and go over bumps. I'll let you guys know what I find out. Thanks for this forum.
Hi MazdainMiami,

Please let me know how it went.

Did you find and fix your Rattle?

Regards
Soul Red
 
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