Popping/pulse with NEW calpiers/pads/rotors

[V8Notch]

I just replaced the pads, rotors and calipers on my 2000 Ranger. Replaced them because it was time. No issues before. Hub bearings felt good.

Now I go test drive it and it makes a audible popping sound when I brake. Sounds like the drivers side. I can also feel it in the pedal. Only when I brake hard. If I drag the brakes I don't feel it.

The sound is related to the rotating assembly. The popping slows as I come to a stop. I've pulled the wheels and the rotors/pads look fine. I don't see any weird contact areas.

I'm stumped....

 

[hondaxr650]

If your rotors have a rough looking machined surface that look like record grooves on them, that could be the cause. The pads will actually try to follow the grooves and it makes them snap in the brackets. If you're sure everything else looks ok, I'd drive it for a while to see if it stops. It usually goes away once the pads wear the rotors smooth.

 

[Ranger44]

did you machine the new rotors?

Just because a rotor is new doesn't mean it is true. A new rotor can be warped.

Also, did you grease your slide pins?

 

[Toofarnorth]

Check to make sure any anti rattle clips and pad retainers are properly located too. If the pad is loose when not applied they could "pop" into place when applied.

 

[V8Notch]

Rotors are ATE Premium One. No machining required. They are partially “slotted” though. Maybe the pads are catching the slots? I’ve only driven 10 miles or so.

Pads are Wagner Thermo quiet. Rattle clips and pads are tight.

Callipers are reman’d units. I pulled the dust boot back and it looked like the pins are already greased. Maybe I should add more…

I’m stumped. I pulled everything off last night and it all looks fine. No weird wear pattern of anything. I even put on a different set of rims/tire and no change.

 

[V8Notch]

I swapped the rotor from side to side and no difference.

When I spin the passenger tire the sounds of the pads against the rotor varies. If can make the sound change by pushing on the outer edge of the rim while turning the wheel so I'm thinking bearings? They feel tight but the one make a slight tink tink sound.

Any thoughts?

 

[TRH]

Lift it, get a good grip on the tire top and bottom, and try to wiggle it like that. If it wobbles all the hell over, wheelbearings, balljoints are suspect. Give it a good thwack with a fist dead center top/bottom and listen for it, they make a sort of hollow thunk when the races wiggle like they shouldn't. I'm assuming all your hardware in the caliper is lubed, installed correctly, and you bedded your new pads in correctly.

 

[V8Notch]

Lift it, get a good grip on the tire top and bottom, and try to wiggle it like that. If it wobbles all the hell over, wheelbearings, balljoints are suspect. Give it a good thwack with a fist dead center top/bottom and listen for it, they make a sort of hollow thunk when the races wiggle like they shouldn't. I'm assuming all your hardware in the caliper is lubed, installed correctly, and you bedded your new pads in correctly.

Hardware is all torqued and the caliper pins came lubed (reman calipers). Maybe I should add more lube?

I can't feel any detectable play but I'll try giving them a good thwack.

I can get the pitch of the brake pad dragging on the caliper to change if I push on the side of the tire while rotating the rim which to me indicates some kind of movement in the hub even if I can't feel it.

I haven't bedded in the pads because the pulsing is so bad. NEW pads and rotors so I should have any old pad deposit to deal with. I will bed them in when I get rid of the pulsing.

 

[Ranger44]

If you can spin the rotor and hear it vary in contact, your rotor is warped no matter what the rotor company said.

To make sure, spin it with the tire on and the wheel lugs tight. If you hear the same sound, it's almost official.

If you had a bad bearing with that MUCH play you'd hear and maybe feel the groan while driving.

 

[V8Notch]

Turns out it was a defective rotor. Put my old rotor back on and the problem was gone.

The store gave me a new one and it is smooth as butter.

I still think the 1 bearing is getting ready to go so I'm gonna replace the hubs pretty soon.