I've driven 2 FDs, including my own. I notice my R1's calipers are noisier. When the car's stopped, and when I *first* apply the brakes (beginning of the pedal stroke), I hear the calipers softly "clack" closed. I also hear a similar "clikkity-clack" sound when I totally release the pedal.

I wouldn't say it sounds serious. I can only hear these noises when the car is stopped, windows down, and I'm next to a wall or something that reflects sound. *Slowly* pressing/releasing the brake pedal makes very little noise, if any. I did not notice this on the other FD I've driven, nor any other car for that matter.

My FD is going to need new pads soon, and has a slightly deposited (aka. a warped) rotor(s). The car has NO stopping issues however. I assume the returning "clikkety" () noise are the floating pistons sucking back into their resting positions.

Am I being paranoid, or is this known to be pre-mature caliper death & it's rebuild time?

Thanks,
-IG

 

I hear that exact noise when the car is off in the garage and I hit the brakes

it did it on my last 3d gen as well

 

My car also does that clicking sound. My friends 300zx (z32) does the same sound. My FCs never did that sound. Maybe it has something to do with the ABS?

 

Actually, mine does it with the car off too... so probably not the ABS.

Guess it's an FD "feature"

Thanks guys.

 

my car does this....time for new calipers.

 

i have the same symptoms...

going to check it when i change my brake pads... Hopefully not serious.

Any1 have experience this?

Matty, new calipers?

 

I get a clacky sound when I depress and release the brake pedal. I'm glad others do it to

I have a 92 Type-R.

 

Check to make sure you are using the right pads (street pads and not track pads). Second check to make sure your anti-rattle clips are still in place to hold the pads from getting stuck to the piston or the rotor. Third if the caliper pistons move freely when you move them back and forth then your problem is not the calipers.

 

Probably piston surface to backing plate noise as the pistons bring up the slack space as resulting from pad knockback (http://www.stoptech.com/whitepapers/knockback.htm).

That's just something I thought up right now however, someone should find out for sure.

Rotate the calipers off of the rotor and push the pistons back in somewhat. Then remount/tighten them and have someone stab the brake pedal while you listen/watch directly.

 

Check the rotors too for wear...

check the pads for cleanliness..

 

I saw you mention knockback in another post earlier. That's what reminded me of this. The sound I'm experiencing is always repeatable... Except it's too faint to hear when the car is in motion.

I probably wont get to this until I (or Mazdatrix ) change the pads out a a week or two.

edit: Like I said, I need new pads. And I need to check rotor thicknesses, and see why one, or several, seem "warped". Are you guys saying you don't have any sounds at all?

 

when I hit the brakes my car would make a simlar sound. I would hear it just before the car stopped. after a period of months the sound eventually happen when i get in th car or when i go over a bump. Kinda a screeching...sound. Turned out it was the metal bushings in my upper control arms.

replaced the arm and good to go. Just a thought.

 

I just went through this on my R2. Upon inspection, pads were due for replacement. Replaced with new Hawk HPS pads. Noise went away. My conclusion is that with worn pads the caliper pistons were extended further out than they are used to possibly causing a little rocking action with in the caliper. A little more leverage applied with the pistons extended that far out. New pads, worked for me.
RACRX

 

well i believe the term is called binding....when the caliper floats on the rotor. it moves in and out of positioning, thus the clicking noise. My car started out making this noise now i think a rotor is warped...although i cant conclude that the rotor warped as a result of the binding as both started occurring after a lime rock event. howver the binding noise occurred first. There was a thread in the suspension forum about this but i couldnt find it right now. the guy that answered my question seemed to know alot and went on to guess that i will probably need a new caliper.

 

The fronts are not floating caliper design.

 

The stock brake pads have shims on the backs of them. These shims cushion piston to pad contact, and keep them from clanking and rattling. Apparantly you're supposed to pry them off the stock pads when replacing, unless you use stock replacements, or the Hawk pads. I think they come with the shims.

Mazdaformance sells a brake hardware kit that includes the pad shims, and the anti-rattle clips/springs for about $20.

 

not "suppose" to float by design.
I dont know...this is what i read and seemed to make sense. Any other ideas as to why my calipers make noise when stopped. The pistons were inspected and nothing wrong was found.

 

My car makes that noise, since I've been driving in heavy rain I hear it more now.

 

CAN ANYONE confirm if the hawk pads come with the shims?

 

Just to clarify "my noise", here's how I can repeat it.

Start car. Don't move car (press brake pedal just enough so car doesn't roll). Maybe hear several slight clicks as brakes engage. Release pedal and hear several slight clicks.

It's the releasing clicks that seem unusual to me. Car/wheel motion isn't involved at all.

Since the pads are worn and (if) the calipers aren't floating (i.e. they return to a "home" position), I suppose I'm hearing the pads/shims (or lack of shims) returning to resting position.

 

this is exactly my problem....so it simply comes down to worn pads? thats shocking.

 

Hi InsaneGideon

I have the same with my FC Convertible. I hear it everytime I am moving slow (e.g. park the car somewhere) and hitting the brakes slowly. That makes them go "clack".

I know some fellow that had the same prob. His mechanic diagnosed a minor play on the calipers. Nothing worse, does NOT affect normal braking. It isn't worth changing them...

Just a thought.

cheers
Patrick