TekViper

I got this weird rattle type noise, sounds like something is loose. i can feel the rattle through the floorboard slightly and seems to be coming from the front left of the car. i checked whatever suspension parts i could without raising the car, nothing felt loose. the endlinks for the front swaybar were fine and everything felt solid that i could reach without lifting the car. any ideas what is up there that could be rattling? u cant really hear it if your driving on an open road but if i drive close to the center divider on the highway u can hear it clearly. u can also feel it slightly through the floorboard. i dont think its the brake pads but ill take it out for a drive later and see if the noise goes away when your on the brakes. thats all i can think of right now about the problem, if anyone has any ideas let me know. ill have the car on the lift next week hopefully and ill be able to really check things out but until then im wondering what it could be.

oh and this happens on flat roads, not just on bumps or dips.

TekViper

a tapping noise also describes what im hearing.

Dan88IrocZ

Air dam?

TekViper

dont think so but ill check that. it sounds more like metal on metal though.

RB83L69

Probably the brake pads, that's what it usually is

kevinc

You can verify the pads by lightly riding the pedal while on bumpy terrain, should stop the noise.

TekViper

its not the brakes, what else could it be?

TekViper

sorry guys, it was my brakes. i went out for another drive and listen more closely and it has to be a loose brake pad. weird that i can feel the vibration through the floorboard though isnt it? maybe theres something else vibrating..

Guest

Hey my car is doing the same thing..... and after reading the boad i took my car for a test drive and i very LIGHTLY taped the brakes and it went away. i just put new pads on the front lesss then 100miles ago... i didn't check how worn doenb the rotor was... could the rotor be my problem... ??? please post ASAP with reply

TekViper

did u use that glue compound on the backside of the pads? i havent taken off my calipers yet since i bought the car a few months back but im certian my rattle is just that whoever did the brakes last didnt use disc brake quite or whatever that stuff is called. its like a blue sticky goop that keeps the pads attached the the caliper to avoid this problem. im crossing my fingers that its just a simple problem like this and not something else. ill take a peek some time next week.

kevinc

The anti-rattle clip should be enough by itself to prevent the noise you're describing, if it's still there. It clips onto the pad located against the caliper piston, and slides inside the piston during assembly to hold the pad in place. It's not necessarily a safety issue if not there, but definitely a noise nuisance.

The blue goop is more for squeal prevention than anything else, and unnecessary if you pick your pads right.

If the pads came w/ backing plates (usually just stick onto the backs of the pads) you'll want to use them. They're usually made of stainless steel and help reduce the amount of heat transferred to the piston and caliper body...too much heat and your fluid boils. They may help some w/ the squeal problem also.

86FirebirdV8350

my car had a similar noise but sounded a lot worse...turned out to be a loose inner and outter tie rod that were coming apart at the boots good thing i caught it in time...

Guest

well see my car did have a broken end link on the pass. side and i also had a broke front spring on the driver side. i have replaced both end links with aftermarket poly. and i replaced the broken spring. and new brake pads. now again could my problem be that the rotor it worn down to much???? cuz if it is i'm going to get a cross drilled and sloted rotors and i'm gouing to be pissed if that doesn't fix the problem.

TekViper

get a micrometer and measure the rotor's thickness. if its too thin it will not work properly and could crack on you.

GTA1990

iTrader: (1)

sorry to bring up an old post - I'm having the exact same symptoms with my car. Rattle/ knock from front left when going over bumps. New pads, discs, steering parts and shocks.

If you guys solved it, or anyone else have some thoughts -- I'd be happy to hear

85Iroc-Z

iTrader: (4)

Same problem on my car. I would like to find out too.

87rattler

Check the bracket that holds the brake lines to the strut tower. Mine was really loose and rattled when I shook it by hand. I took the bolt out and put a rubber washer behind it.

Mailman818

check the strut tower brces for torn rubber inside. mine had the same problem and i noticed the broken tower rubber. it rubbed on dips and bumps making it sound like something loose. new ones run about 70 a peice