Front pad slap?

[regis101]

Just returned from the stealership for a 10k oil change.

I told them that there is a clunking sound from the front passenger side while applying the brakes in reverse. Sounds to me at first like a loose pad, loose caliper or both.

After a three+ hour wait for the car, the report stated that the service tech couldn't duplicate the clunk. I get in, put it in reverse, roll along and tap the brake pedal four or five times. Clunk, clunk, clunk, clunk. The service writer took the car back to the service dept.

I know that braking systems have residual pressure to have the caliper piston apply slight pressure to the pad(s) to keep them next to the rotor. If the clunking is part of the braking system a solution should be found. Pad wear is with spec. Rotors are fine.

The service tech said that the sound is brake pad slap. wtf The service writer had a demo S there and it did the same thing as ours. Not as loud or pronounced. Then he proceded to tell me that it is what it is and Toyota doesn't have a fix for it yet. Gawd, I hate those kind of answers. It is my experience that service writers couldn't twist a wrench to save their lives. Best not be another case of blowing smoke up the arse or I won't be responsible for my actions.

I will check for a loose strut mount as previously mentioned in another thread.

I did a search using Brakes as the topic. No answers. I went page a few pages in this forum but didn't see anything either.

Anyone have any experience or opinions before I tear into it for myself?

Thanks,

[joeylgarcia]

Originally Posted by regis101

Anyone have any experience or opinions before I tear into it for myself?

Thanks,

try another dealership first before you tear them apart yourself.

[sienna1]

You're probably hearing the sound of the brake pad shifting against the pad support plates (metal guides where the tabs at the end of the brake pads rest). A light application of high temperature brake grease usually lessen or eliminates this sound when the pads shift (some play is required or the pads would not move freely in and out). They're TSB's on many Toyota models about a clicking noise heard during brake applications.

[johncal]

Doesn't hurt anything especially if you're only hear them shift when backing up. All of my cars do it and my GSXR does it. I'd rather the pads sit a little loose in there then bind up. No big deal....

johncal