05-09 front brake rattle fix

[bomberlegacy]

After I changed my worn out struts, I heard a rattle in my front end when going over even the slightest bumps. It sounded like the front end of the car was going to fall out. I thought.. surely it's related to my Koni insert install, but I noticed the rattle would quit when applying the brakes. Woohoo!

 

So. If you have something similar, grab your caliper and rock it inboard and outboard. It should wiggle some, but if it's excessive, follow this:

 

Tools Needed

-Breaker bar

-Ratchet

-19mm socket

-12mm wrench

-17mm wrench

-12mm socket

-Pick set

-Wire brush

-Torque wrench (if you're fancy)

 

-Go to your local parts shack and purchase a brake caliper bracket kit. My 2.5i has GT brakes, so that's what I selected.

 

-Break torque from wheel lug nuts, jack front end, remove wheels.

 

-Remove the two 12mm slider bolts from the back of the caliper, and fold it up and out of the way.

http://legacygt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=256038&d=1506644880

 

-Pull the two slider pins out and remove the rubber grommets(probably not the official term, but look at the pic)

http://legacygt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=256039&d=1506644880

http://legacygt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=256040&d=1506644880

http://legacygt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=256042&d=1506644880

 

-Clean both pins and replace the rubber piece. (Mine are a bit worn and could probably be replaced. But not today)

http://legacygt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=256043&d=1506644880

 

-Put grease in the holes in the caliper and install new rubber grommets.

http://legacygt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=256044&d=1506644880

 

This style pick helps a ton.

http://legacygt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=256045&d=1506644880

 

-Insert the pins back in the caliper and work them until the air is out, and fit the grommet to the back of the head of the pin. Again with the pick, or your tool of choice.

http://legacygt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=256046&d=1506644880

 

-Grease the back sides of pads and reinstall caliper and torque bolts.

http://legacygt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=256047&d=1506644880

 

-Reinstall wheels and torque lug nuts when on the ground.

 

Bam! Go drive and enjoy less bad noises

[covertrussian]

The rattle that you heard was of the brake pad's metal backing plate vibrating. It didn't help that your guide bins were pretty dry and getting stuck. I always check these, since they will increase brake drag if they are stuck. Also I remove those rubber boots, they are useless and tend to swell up and increase drag yet again.

 

What grease did you use? Your not supposed to use axle grease or anything similar, it will thin out, and it also rubber components will swell and give you other headaches. I use NAPA Sil-glyde only now (after learning the hard lesson about other grease).

[Max Capacity]

FWIW, It's easy to replace all four calipers with brackets. I did both cars in the Spring, best thing I've done for the brakes in years.

 

I've been chasing those slide pins for years. You'll find out...