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G37x - rattling brake calipers. How can I fix this?
I've been chasing front end noises since purchasing my 2011 G37x last fall especially a metallic rattling when going over bumps that disappears when I lightly engage the brakes. While rotating my tires this weekend I found both front calipers rattle excessively and sound like the noise I hear – check out the video below.
Questions:
1. Is this common? I don't see any TSBs for it. Has anyone seen it before?
2. How can I fix it?
I don't want to purchase new calipers. New bolts? Possibly parts missing after the latest brake job (before my purchase)? I saw some bolts with silicone inserts online for this issue but I'll be surprised if I'm the only one with this issue.
I would it's cheap insurance since you're taking time to take apart and clean btw they sell spray at lowes home depot part stores that stops and stabilizes the rust so it stops and you can paint over it
I would it's cheap insurance since you're taking time to take apart and clean btw they sell spray at lowes home depot part stores that stops and stabilizes the rust so it stops and you can paint over it
I'm finding the hardware kits are about $5 whereas I can get a hardware kit with new pads for $24 (Power Stop or Raybestos). Should I get new slide bolts? I found a post in Mustang forums where someone had a similar issue due to worn slides. My guess is the previous brake job wasn't done correctly and the hardware may be installed incorrectly (or bent) and the slides may not have been properly lubricated.
I'll get hardware, possibly slides, clean everything and use caliper grease to see if this resolves the noise. I can't imagine the calipers are bad, although I wonder if they need rebuilt as my understanding is they should keep slight pressure on the pads at all times and if they aren't could allow a rattle. The caliper rebuild kits are inexpensive ($3/side) but I've never rebuilt a caliper and could run into issues if I mess it up.
My wife saw the video and said "those are rusted - should you just get new ones?" I'd love to but upgrading would be $500 as I would get 4 piston which would require 350mm rotors.
Thanks again for your assistance - any more thoughts on what I should do?
Replaced pads, hardware and caliper pin boots yesterday and cleaned and properly lubed everything - sound is gone! Thought I recorded a video at the end but it is unbelievably hot and humid here and I apparently forgot to hit record? Cost me $40 (Rockauto) and about 1.5 hours of time.
This was really bugging me and it’s refreshing to drive the car and not have it rattle over bumps.
Thanks for all the help!
-Eric
Video when starting yesterday morning (noise starts @ 1:12):
Nice work. Why didnt you apply the rust inhibitor to the calipers since you were there to prevent rust? Besides stabilizing the rust you can also paint on top of it. I used the high temp engine block paint since it's good to like 800f and wont heat fade the color.
Nice work. Why didnt you apply the rust inhibitor to the calipers since you were there to prevent rust? Besides stabilizing the rust you can also paint on top of it. I used the high temp engine block paint since it's good to like 800f and wont heat fade the color.
Great question!
My plan is to paint the calipers and hubs black and eliminate the rust and I will still do that this summer. I didn’t want to spend the time and money if I was going to need to replace the calipers to eliminate the noise. Now that it’s gone I’ll go back and paint them.
150 miles of quiet rattle-free driving later - I can confirm the calipers were the root of the noise the entire time.
I would invite anyone chasing front-end noises/rattles to rule out the calipers as typically end links, bushings, etc. are replaced for noise. For a week I had a 2010 G37x with 60k miles (returned due to paint issues) and it made the same noise.
