Loose Brake Caliper

gilly02le · Post by **gilly02le** » Thu Jun 07, 2007 1:53 pm

a couple weeks ago i noticed it was time to change my front brakes(rotors and pads). Anyways all went well.. the install went as it always does, however.. two weeks or so down the road.. i hear a light clunking sound from the drivers side brake when i hit bumps in the road... i took the rim off and it seems that the caliper is loose.. i cant move it back and fourth and basically make the same sound it makes when im hitting bumps.. know i know the rotor is loose when the rim is off.. but while holding it still. i can move the caliper...both bolts holding the caliper onto the hub, are tight, so i'm not sure if i did something wrong or what.. since i've done this before with absolutely no problems, on my car, my parents caravan, and my friends shadow..

I have the rim off in the driveway still and i can get a video to show you all what i mean, if anyone thinks that'd help diagnose the problem!

Edit: From lookin in the FSM i see that the guide suggest tightening the guide pins, and ideas how id go about doing that?

Ifixyawata · Post by **Ifixyawata** » Thu Jun 07, 2007 3:41 pm

The guide pins are the bolts that hold the caliper on, essentially. Maybe pull the bolts out again and make sure the caliper is aligned correctly between the 'stops' on either side of it.

gilly02le · Post by **gilly02le** » Thu Jun 07, 2007 4:46 pm

i think my problem is that the caliper is only under the stop at the top side.. the bottom side is not.. and this seems to be why im able to move it.. here is what the brake looks like right now..

Post by **racer12306** » Thu Jun 07, 2007 5:32 pm

i dont think its supposed to go under the stop on the bottom.

if your bolts are in and tightened to spec then im confused.

are you sure the noise is coming from the brakes

gilly02le · Post by **gilly02le** » Thu Jun 07, 2007 5:55 pm

yeah racer i think the sound has to be coming from somewhere else.. because i dug up some old pictures of my brakes.. and they were installed just as i have them now... the sound must be my worn out strut mounts, or worn bushings.. the bushings for the sway bar look good in the front.. but the rear a-arm bushing(i think thats what its called) looks to be kinda worn out... its mishaped, definatly not round anymore. I have had the front bushings replaced by the dealership but that was about 3 years ago so, i think it may be time for a prothane full bushing kit...

Wenuden · Post by **Wenuden** » Thu Jun 07, 2007 7:03 pm

those pad clips look familiar. what pads did you get?

Post by **racer12306** » Thu Jun 07, 2007 7:54 pm

im thinking it would be bushings because mine clunks every now and again. i think my bushings are shot too.

gilly02le · Post by **gilly02le** » Thu Jun 07, 2007 8:58 pm

i picked up these ones, they were the best option that partsource, my local parts store offered.. and they were 90$ on sale for 74$ (CAD that is..)

i decided the ceramic ones would probably last longer then the cheapo organic compound breaks they sell for about half the price..

mike9fore · Post by **mike9fore** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 7:34 pm

I know this has probally been said yet, the (2) bolts that hold the caliper could possible be shot on the ends...so it may not be holding properly....