Long time lurker, first time question poster.

I replaced my brake pads with EBC RedStuff about a month and a half ago. I've got the Brembo system, so it was fairly straightforward and not entirely complex.

However, now my front brakes are starting to make a clicking/clacking noise when I apply the brakes in reverse. More specifically, I get into reverse gear, apply the breaks, and the noise appears for 1 second, and then is gone. I go back into a forward gear and apply the brakes once, the noise appears for 1 second and then is gone.

I've pulled my wheels off and inspected the area around the wheel, the struts and everything else in there. I don't see anything that is visible causing this to happen. Tomorrow I am going to pull the brakes out and inspect those as well. I am thinking that I just may not have applied enough brake grease when I put the new pads in. I hope.

If that is not the case, I am bringing my car in for an alignment at the dealership in a couple of weeks and will have them look at it then.

I am just hoping that the collective wisdom and knowledge here can help me address this problem before I go to the dealership, and before this possibly turns into a major repair.

Thank you in advance for your replies.

 

No idea to why they do that for you.....But will lurk on this one as I will be buying a set of the same pads...

 

Were there any anti-rattle shims/clips and could they have moved / been fitted wrongly?

I reckon you'll end up taking them apart....

 

Status update:
Brought the car into the dealer today. The noise was making my quite nervous. Turns out it is a rather simple problem, and sounds far worse than it is in actuality. Bottom line, was that there is a round pin in an oval hole. The noise emanates from the rocking of the pad traveling along the pin when I change direction (forward to reverse, reverse to forward).

Other then putting stress on the pins when changing direction, it is not too much of an issue. The pins themselves are quite durable, but I don't want to stress them too much, so it looks like I will have to eventually go back to stock pads to avoid this problem in the future.

As for the pads themselves, EBC RedStuff, excellent in every way except the tolerance the pin holes are drilled to. If there wasn't so much play, they would be great alternatives to stock Brembo pads.

And the dealer, they offered to replace the pads, but they didn't do a hard sell. That is why I like my dealer - Minneapolis Jaguar - so much.

 

maybe you got the wrong pad? They make several different model numbers in the EBC Red stuff for each model Jag even though they all have Brembo rotors and pads....

 

Very well could be, but the boxes the brakes came in were labeled for XJR/STR and XJR/XKR/STR, part numbers DP31462C and DP31140C, respectively. However, I think there is a far simpler answer - my own dumb fault.

I remember now that the front brakes were a little tight to fit inside the brake houseing when I first got them, so I shaved a few mm's off the edges. I probably ended up taking too much off, as evidenced by the play when changing directions. Moral of the story: can always take more off, but cannnot put more back on. I just think its weird that it is happening now, after nearly 2 months of use. Oh well, live and learn.

Thanks for your input guys.

 

ahhhhh that is prob the issue then.....

 

yes its a very tight fit, even stock unless the caliper slides are worn. brake grease, dust and dirt can build up and feel too tight. I just clean and tap in with brake grease on the edges. never an issue.
But dont feel bad, Ive seen it all over the years even from other shops. Like broken caliper piston from pushing in instead of turning in, antirattle clips on backwards keeping pads from retracting, hoses coiled rubbing on the tire from removing the calipers and twisting. Jaguar changed rear pads size a few years back eliminating seperate stainless shims that where getting grooved and sticking pads. you where supposed to throw the old shims out and use none. I had several come in for noise and found the owner or shop had ground the pads to fit like you did and left the shims in which resulted in the same thing you experienced, loose fit and noise........
Experience= something you got 10 seconds after you needed it

 

Nice posts! I am ordering EBC pads #E35DP31462C for the front of my STR 03' vs paying dealer $300. The cost is $126.98 on discountbrakes.com is this a really good deal or do you guys know of a better deal on these brakes? I plan on ordering tomorrow any input is needed!

Thanks

The Ikon

 

The cost is $126.98...

Yea, that's what I paid for mine as well from AutoAnything.com. Seems to be the going rate for EBC RedStuff on the internet, +/- $5-$10.

After nearly 5,000 miles, I really do like the brakes very much. Not nearly as much dust as the factory pads and there is no noticeable difference in stopping distance. Definitely going to order again, I will just make sure to follow Brutal's advice and clean the caliper house of dust and apply more grease to the pads on insertion.

 

Thanks! autoanything.com even offers a 10% discount on pads! I will let you know about my experience with the EBC pads once they arrive in about a 5 working days!

The Ikon