Rattling front brakes

[b.walker5]

It's taken me a long time to address this but I've had a problem with my SG front brakes rattling for years and never taken the time to figure out what it is.

They work okay so why worry, right??

The noise occurs after releasing the brake lever and sounds like the pads are dragging slightly on the disc, and rattling back and forth on the retaining pin in the caliper.
I haven't had the calipers apart for a while but I've just looked at the parts fiche and i'm sure i have some parts missing.
Apart from the pin and channel in the caliper, what holds the pads off the disc when not in use? There appears to be at least two types of retaining clip, but what does each of them do?

[dbeardslee]

The clips you refer to are sometimes called anit-rattle clips. You do the math .

[bikerphil]

I put that disc brake quiet goop on the back of the pads. It helps a lot.

[Big Daddy Funk]

Full lever

You do have a full lever when you grab it for the first time. No pumping it up.. right?. Rick

[b.walker5]

You do have a full lever when you grab it for the first time. No pumping it up.. right?. Rick

No pumping, brakes work fine first up, they just rattle. Hopefully i'll get a chance today to pull a caliper apart and investigate further, but as I said earlier I'm sure I dont have the "anti rattle clips" dbeardslee refers to.

Anyone know if they can still be bought or are they made from unobtainium?

[dbeardslee]

I think the pads partsnmore sells come with the clips - unfortunately they were out of stock last tuesday. Here's a link - Partsnmore brake parts. I just got a set of pads from Z1 today, and they did not come with them.

[Dragon Tamer]

I think I know just what noise you are talking about. Got my new front tire yesterday and installed it tonight after work. Took the Dragon out for a ride to test out the new tire, tire had a rattle in it???? Was a mystery until I returned home and there in the driveway was one of the clips that is supposed to be in the groove in the fork and retain the top protusions on the brake pads. Removed the left caliper and placed the clip where it belonged and now the new tire does not rattle any more.

[Jerry]

I tracked a "brake rattle" problem to another source on my left-front XJ caliper.



Pin 12*24 was loose in its bore. The caliper could move slightly forward and back, creating a rattle that drove me nuts. I finally wrapped a piece of brass shim stock around it to quiet it down. I do have another set of XJ front calipers, but they need a rebuild and I haven't gotten around to it yet.

Easy way to see if this might be your problem is to grab the caliper and see if you can move it front to back, pivoting a bit on this pin. If you can move it without much effort, you may have found the source of your rattle.

[b.walker5]

I tracked a "brake rattle" problem to another source on my left-front XJ caliper.



Pin 12*24 was loose in its bore. The caliper could move slightly forward and back, creating a rattle that drove me nuts. I finally wrapped a piece of brass shim stock around it to quiet it down. I do have another set of XJ front calipers, but they need a rebuild and I haven't gotten around to it yet.

Easy way to see if this might be your problem is to grab the caliper and see if you can move it front to back, pivoting a bit on this pin. If you can move it without much effort, you may have found the source of your rattle.

Thanks for the suggestion but I have an '80 XS Special and the calipers are completely different, with different mounting.

[dbeardslee]

They're different, but yours has a pin that serves the same purpose - it's the little 12mm bolt that holds the caliper to the mounting assembly. Wouldn't hurt to check it, but if you already know you don't have the anti-rattle clips, I think you have identified the source.

[b.walker5]

Just finished pulling the left caliper. Consists of 1 caliper assy, 1 retaining pin and 2 brake pads. Thats it.. nothin else. I think I've definately identified the rattle. Now to find the parts................

[dbeardslee]

Bikebandit shows the clips with their oem brake pad kit, but get ready for sticker shock - $48. That wouldn't be too terrible if it included both sets of pads, but knowing Bikebandit I doubt it. Partsnmore's kits are $16 ea., but as stated they were out of them as of last tuesday. Might call 'em and see when they're expecting more in.

[b.walker5]

... Might call 'em and see when they're expecting more in.

Thanks' i'd appreciate that. N.W.Vintage has them listed as current stock but it looks like they'll work out fairly expensive by the time they get to NZ.

[dbeardslee]

Didn't catch the New Zealand initially. Did some following up with Partsnmore which is when I noticed the front pads are on an SG. I was looking at the standard pads. Unfortunately the SG pads don't include the clips. I looked high and low, and as yet have been unable to find them. I have one more used parts source to check, but won't be able to until monday.

You might have to take Phil's advice, and use the brake quieting goop. You smear it on the back of the pads, let it cure, and install. It gets kind of like rubber on the back of the pad and helps to keep it from sliding around.

Sorry for the screw-up and false hope on the partsnmore stuff. I'll check the other source monday and get back to you.

[b.walker5]

Thanks, i'll wait till I hear from you