My driver's side brake system has a rattle ever since i bought the car, and I had never really looked into it. Last night when i was doing my poly install, I noticed that the part that holds the brake pads inside it and wraps around the rotor (is that the caliper?) could be moved with some force by hand. And if i gave it a whack with my palm, that play is what is causing the rattling. I checked the torx bolts, and they are both tight. What could be the problem?

Most likely the Torx bolt is in the hole, but not actually in the threaded hole,try again,it's probubly not ligned up right.

The torx bolts go through a couple of steel sleeves and the caliper slides back and forth on the sleeves to allow for wear in the pads. There is a little rubber whickydo in each end of the holes to keep the caliper from rattling. Are the sleeves or the whickydos missing? (Oh Lord, how I love to get technical.)

[This message has been edited by pops (edited 02-26-2004).]

Thanks for the suggestions. The thing-a-ma-jiggies (rubber sleeves at the end of the torx bolts) are there, the bolts are threaded correctly and tightened. The rattling is definately coming from the pads/rotor contact due to the caliper having that bit of play. Would a caliper rebuild kit remedy this? how hard is a caliper rebuild kit to do?

Wow!!!!!The whickydos and The thing-a-ma-jiggies ,I would have never thought of that!(he,he,he,he,he).Your just going to have to take the caliper off and see what wrong with it.Remanufacturered caliper are fairly cheep,I wouldn't take the time to rebuild them,because those things are filthy dirty.

Sounds like the anti-rattle clips are damaged or missing. You can get the clips from the parts store for the most part, and I've seen them come new with some brands of brake pads.

JazzMan

The sliders in the calipers are held in position with rubber o-rings that have flats on them. There are 2 o-rings for each slider, just inside each end of the slider bore. The o-rings can deteriorate and allow the caliper to wiggle on the sliders. You can replace these o-rings if need be.

Make sure you check that clip that holds the inner pad to the piston that was mentioned above.

You neglected to mention whether it was the left-front, or the left-rear caliper which was "loose".

never mind, it's been said already.

[This message has been edited by lurker (edited 02-27-2004).]

Jazzman is right on the money!

Your problem is not the caliper but the anti rattle clips (if you kick the tire you should hear the rattle)!

There is a little clip that fits onto the outside edge of the calipers piston then little tangs on the clip attaches to the inboard brake pad. Yours tangs are either bent or the entire clip missing!

You will need to pull the caliper off the car to correct this rattle. Once you remove the caliper you should see a little metal clip on the calipers piston. If present carefully turn the clip to remove from the piston (the piston has notches cut in it....you must align the tabs of the clip with the notches on the piston to remove the clip). Once the clip is off take the clip and see if it clips onto the inboard rear pad. If not bend the pad mounting tangs so it does. Now just reinstall the clips on the piston and snap the pad onto the clip and your done! NO MORE RATTLE!!!!!!!

I ran into this when I replaced pads the first time on my fiero (they were present but the tangs where bent). I straightened them and was good to go! I looked into replacing them as well and couldn't find any for sale (autozone and advance) although that was 3 years ago!

Good Luck!

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Keith F.

thanks for all the comments! Good stuff to know, will check it out today when im doing my poly bushings...

I've gotta second jelly on this one. I bought semi-loaded calipers once, and had to put the o-rings, sliders and stuff all together. Somehow one of the o-rings shifted without me noticing and the caliper would "wiggle" like you describe. I think the new o-rings and sliders cost around 10 bux, and were easy to install. But that was with a new caliper. It may be more difficult on one that isn't new because the sliders can become stubborn over the years.

I say if you get the caliper off and can get the sliders out, go ahead and give replacing the o-rings a shot!

[This message has been edited by blazin' (edited 02-27-2004).]