Help Me(brake Trouble-urgent Resolution Needed)

[Kicker]

Hey everyone, need your help STAT if y'all can. Got a trip to Montreal in two days(I'm far away from Montreal). I got a problem, when I'm in motion there's a real terrible metal on metal sound coming from my front left wheel well. It doesn't matter what the speed, as my speed increases the frequency of the sound does as well. When I apply the brakes the sound diminishes and when let go it's right back to full volume. What could it be??? It can't be the brake pads themselves cause it's when they're not applied that the noise occurs. I was told it was the brake slide clips rubbing on the rotor but I don't know what the slide clips are and if I did wouldn't know how to correct the problem.

P.s. I also have something rattling hard-core, it's a component on the drivebelt. I believe it's the water pump, it's either that or the power steering pump. Question is, would it be safe to drive 6 hour drive one way and then 6 back the other with the water pump rattling like that?

[ptrudel]

Question is, would it be safe to drive 6 hour drive one way and then 6 back the other with the water pump rattling like that?

i'd say no...get it fixed or u may not get to ur destination...as for the funky noises, i dunno...but get it checked...i wouldn't risk drivin it too much...

[misslindseysue]

My guess is wheel bearing/hub. $100 or so for the part from a parts store, close to $350 for the GM part, plus an hour of labor...

[kou5oku]

Yeah checking the idiot clips would be a good idea.

On a brake pad, there is a little metal clip that sticks out and bends down to line up with the wear line of the pad. When the pad is worn away enough, what you describe starts to happen. Usually a non-technical person would think OMG!! and take the car to the shop. This prevents users from gauging their rotors.

The easiest way to check is to jack-stand the front end, remove the tires, then there's two bolts for the caliper, you can pull the caliper off and lay it upsidedown on top of the rotor (that way you dont have to disconnect the brake lines) and remove the pads, if the edge of the clip has wear on it, then its time to change the pads.

I'd do it anyway if its near time, and you're goin on a long road trip.


Peace.

[kou5oku]

^^^ more


Wow something rattling huh, not good. rattling means "loosening" and eventually it might come undone.

Maybe you can check the rattle with the car parked and the hood up, just keep your hands away from the fans and belts.

[flalero]

Yeah, the car would be okay to drive. It sounds like the "idiot clips" like everyone else was saying. That is just indicating that you need to change your brake pads soon, before damage ensues. Mine squealed something horrible until I replaced my brake pads.

[Kicker]

So the wear clips will start rubbing against the rotor even without the pedal pressed??? Cause I thought they only squealed when you pressed on the brake and the pads were worn.

[Grouch]

If it is the clip rubbing and it sounds like it is, you need to change your pads. I wouldn't drive on them too long like that. Those metal clips will start eating into your rotors and if they scrap too much you will not be able to have the rotors turned and will be stuck buying new rotors.

I have seen people that ignore this squeal and continue driving with that wear indicator rubbing. I have seen rotors litterally eaten all the way through the rotor into the vents in the center of the rotor.

You want to drive 12-hrs with the brakes worn out and something rattling around in front? Good luck, hope you have AAA in Canada.

[Kicker]

Yeah, I'm stupid. I'm cool.
Well, I'm gonna' get my pads changed even though I don't think it's them, I'll let y'all know if ya' care. I'm ignore the water pump though. Just gonna' pray on that one.