How to Deal with the Impact Sound Between Brake Pads and Calipers?
3 Answers
If there is an impact sound between the brake pads and calipers of a vehicle, it is usually due to the brake pads not being properly secured. Visit a 4S shop to have a professional technician fix the brake pads in place. Below is additional information: 1. Composition of Brake Pads: Generally consists of a steel plate, adhesive heat insulation layer, and friction block. 2. Working Principle of Brake Pads: The steel plate is coated to prevent rust, the heat insulation layer is made of non-heat-conductive materials for insulation purposes. The friction block is composed of friction materials and adhesives, which are pressed against the brake disc or drum during braking to generate friction. Due to the friction, the friction block gradually wears out. Generally, the lower the cost of the brake pads, the faster they wear out.
I also experienced a knocking sound when braking while driving before, which was quite scary, like metal grinding and colliding. I asked a mechanic friend, and he said it might be because the brake pads were worn too thin and hitting the edge of the caliper. Or there could be dust or rust in the caliper, causing it not to retract smoothly. A simple solution is to check the brake pads yourself after parking. If the thickness is less than half, you need to replace them. If the pads are still okay, try cleaning the caliper's slide rails and spraying some lubricant, but don't mess around to avoid damaging other parts. For safety, I went to a professional shop later, and after they fixed it, the sound disappeared. Remember, if there's a problem with the braking system, don't delay, as it could affect the entire braking performance and might fail during an emergency stop. Regular maintenance checks can help reduce such occurrences.
As someone who has done several car maintenance jobs myself, I’d like to share my approach when the brake pads and calipers make clunking noises. First, check the thickness of the brake pads—if they’re too thin, replace them immediately; don’t compromise. If the pads are fine, the caliper might be stuck. Remove the wheel and clean the slide pins and piston area, then apply specialized lubricant to ensure smooth movement. Sometimes, loose bolts can also cause noise, so tightening them might solve the issue. DIY can save money, but make sure to use the right tools to avoid damaging other components. If you’re unsure, don’t push your luck—head to a repair shop promptly. Safety comes first; brake failure is serious, so don’t let minor issues escalate into major accidents. This is how I’ve handled it before, and regularly changing the brake fluid can also prevent such problems.
