bldn10

At Barber a couple weeks ago I started hearing an awful clanking sound from the RF. Pulled the wheel and found that the outboard pad was very loose. Then found that the upper and lower spiders were missing. I read where many people do not even use them, especially on the track, so I removed the remaining spider when I got home. I assumed the pistons would now evenly press the pad against the rotor and maintain enough pressure when not under braking to keep the pad tight. Not so. The pad is extremely loose and makes so much noise I will not drive it. Is something wrong w/ the caliper? Do you have to use either all 12 spiders or none or what? BTW the pads were new PF-08 at Barber so it's not like there should be a lot of room in there. Thanks.

bobsan

clanking sound must be loose drop link nut on sway bay, could be top or bottom, brake spiders are optional, just there to soak up any movement between brake pad and piston that usually manifest's as a squeal.

bldn10

No, no, the clanking is the pad rattling around between the pistons and rotor. Stops immediately w/ even slightest brake application.

My question is if there is something wrong w/ the caliper because it is not holding the pad against the rotor. I thought the pistons were supposed to retract just enough to stop braking, not all the way in, leaving a gap.

Bill/Memphis

SH || NC

Bill, check the metal pad springs on top of the caliper; the look like an 'I'; if they are missing, you will get pad knock back

bldn10

I'll have to check the others but no I do not have that spring on the RF. Although the new spiders seems to have stopped the noise, I can see that the absence of the spring was really the cause. Something else I need to get. What is the best source for little crap like that?

Thanks for the reply and photo.

Bill/Memphis

SH || NC

They are a factory part; any dealer can get them for you, but Suncoast is fast and has great service (front) (rear). You can run without them as I understand it; lots of track guys do.

FFaust

I have none, and it makes changing pads a bit easier, especially when hot. And yes, there is some "clanking".

SH || NC

Man, no springs - that would make the pad swap even faster! I may have to consider that for track weekends.

FFaust

Between that and the screaching brakes, it sounds pretty hardcore