Clicking Noise When Braking

[raywong28]

Hi Everyone!

I'd like to ask if anyone knows why there is clicking noise when braking with a bit of pressure?

Under light braking it would not show up, but pressing medium or even hard on the brakes and it would exhibit clicking noise.

The noise would be repeat fast or slow depending on whether the speed is fast or slow.

I can't determine if its the front brake pads or calipers or if its the rear brakes? When I swapped all season tires/rims to winter tires/rims, the front brakes look okay in thickness.

Also, the rotors don't feel warped.

So hoping someone who's more experienced would know what to replace(brakes, calipers, rotors or hub).

Thanks so much and Merry Christmas!

[Highway_maniac]

Your car equiped qith ABS? If so, my guess would be that your ABS is kicking in. What's the condition of the road where this happens? If slippy - ABS.

[raywong28]

Hi Everyone,

Thanks, but my car doesn't have ABS. The road conditions are basically any type: dry, wet, snowy, etc.

So I'm pretty sure its related to brakes, calipers, rotors or drums.

For the guest who wrote to me and I didn't know how to reply:

My car is 2000 LE automatic model with 119,000km right now, but I've had this problem for a few months.

A bit of history of the brakes are:
-Nov 2006 and 87,000km, the dealer put in new brake pads and brake fluid flush.
-2009 and 103,000km, I got a maintenance service from the dealer and they said the front brakes were 80% and rear drums were 75% wear level, had a front boot ripped, which they recommended servicing front calipers and flushing the brake fluids. I didn't do the service but did not get any noise.
-2010 and 119,000km, the front pads still look ok, but I've had the noise for a few months or since spring.

I'm just wondering if the caliper or pads are somewhat not aligned, so they make this noise when braking medium to hard pressure? The service guys scare me by saying the calipers can rust up and won't stop the car properly. So maybe the caliper has issues with applying the pad properly on the rotor? Or would it be the drums?

Anyone experience this?

Thanks!

[viper_cole]

have you checked to make sure the anti rattle clips are installed and not broken, also there are metal "shims" on either side of the pads that keep the brakes from making noise, where is the clicking coming from? the sides of the car? front? rear? or middle? ie CV shafts??

[Kyle Hamelin]

I had this problem about a month ago if it is the same then it's a 60$ fix at any shop. Just bring it to a shop or if you can yourself jack your car up and take off both your front tires. Run the car so you can see the whole break system moving. Look VERY VERY closely at your calipers. You will notice it shifting ever so lightly. I asked the mechanic to do a front break clean up and it turns out if their is any dust behind the rotor when installed then it will shift the caliper. Thats what it sounds like your problem is to me at least. It was only one of mine that were clicking but it was annyoing as hell!