Hello all. I have a sort of moderately loud (with windows open) metal/clamping sound only at a full stop in the front of my 1998 I30 (236k miles) - assuming it's in the wheel area. If I stop, then move forward even just a foot and stop fully again with the brakes it makes the sound just at the stop. Note that this has been happening for 2 years at the same sound volume and I've just been thinking about it more of late. Guessing it could be something with the calipers/brake system or just the age of the car, but I do know that I still have 3-4 mm on my front pads and there's no squealing/metal sound at all during driving or also during the braking process until at a full stop. Calipers are original and rotors were replaced two brake pad sets ago. I'm almost positive I will need new rotors next time I change pads. I replaced the driver's side axle last year but it didn't change the sound at all. Any ideas on what's causing this sound / how important it is to fix? thanks.

 

Original calipers huh? And at 236k? Damn I wish I had your luck. Maybe your anti-rattle springs? Or possibly some slide pins need to be regreased?

 

It's you brake pads, as the car comes to a stop, the very last "creep" of the rotor produces a sort of grabbing sound. At full stop, if you gently lift your foot off the brake so the car creeps forward, does it make the noise?

 

Yes I think you may be correct since it makes the noise a bit when I lift my foot off the brake as you say. So what is going on with my pads? Are they completely done / uneven wear / hardware issue? I ask since like I said I have a few mm left on the pad and there's no metal/squealing sound while driving or in the braking process. Been like this for a year. Can I continue to drive like this until I get below the recommended 2 mm on the pad?

 

My suggestion is to jack it up and see if your cailpers hardware are loose of the torque member hardware is loose or missing...b4 you cause/have an horrific accident!!!

 

There's probably nothing wrong with your pads. Some types of brake pads do that more then others. My ceramic pads are pretty quiet, the Hawks I had prior made that noise, and quite loud too. It's not doing any harm. Keep your eyes on them, it does sound like they're getting a bit low. 2mm is very thin.

 

Pads are like $25 from Autozone with lifetime warranty. Just replace them

 

Are you suggesting I just re-torque to spec all the caliper-related hardware?

Also, if I'm getting the same sound on both sides would this rule out the caliper theory (sort of like how wheel bearings and CV axles rarely go bad on both sides at the same time)? This would support what others are saying about just getting new pads.