Metallic Noise Coming From the Rear End

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The Critic

The Critic

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'96 Saturn SL2, 117k miles with 4-wheel Disc Brakes.

Beginning yesterday, I have been hearing a "metallic-like" noise from the rear end. It sounds like the pad wear indicator is rubbing on the rotor, but it isn't as high pitched. It doesn't go away when you hit the brakes, so I don't think it's rear pads and rotors, but I'll double check to make sure.

Also, the noise seems to go away after a few miles of driving and is most prevalent during the first few miles in the morning.

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. I was thinking wheel bearings, but I'm hoping that it isn't as the hub/wheel bearing assembly is $100-$200/each!

Thanks!
 
If it's kind of a metallic clink clink when first driving and wheel is cool and then goes away when hot, it's the pad spring that's missing.
 
Also, check the runout or have it checked. Distorted rotors have a tendency to cause the pad spring to overheat, rust, and then break and fall out.
 
I just remembered that when I checked the brakes 15k ago, I had around 2/3 left.

Molakule, this caliper design doesn't use any pad springs, but I will have the rotor runout checked.

I'm going to take it to the dealership next weekend and will report back with the results.

Thanks everyone!
 
I've actually been having a similar issue with my car, but it's only once in a great while. I'll hear a metallic grinding noise from my rear left wheel, and it goes away when I press on the brakes. If I push the brakes really hard, say stopped at a light, it'll make the problem go away entirely until the next time it happens like a few months later. Also been randomly getting the ABS light on in my car, every once in a great while. It's only happened twice this year, and I'm not sure what to think of it. I'm thinking maybe a sticking brake caliper?
 
Last edited:
1)caliper maynot be retracting
2)Pad material
3)Hard spot/impurity in rotor causing noise when cold.

Doubt its runout or bearing.
 
Originally Posted By: alanu
1)caliper maynot be retracting
2)Pad material
3)Hard spot/impurity in rotor causing noise when cold.

Doubt its runout or bearing.

I backed out the car this morning and the noise started as soon as I lifted my foot off the brake.

When I hit the brake to stop the car from rolling, I heard my normal brake squeak (I've always had this squeak, so I know exactly what it sounds like).

By the time I got around the corner, the noise was gone. When I started up the car to get home from work in the afternoon, I did not hear it at all, I only heard my normal brake squeak.

Does that change anything, Alan? I'll try to record the noise tomorrow morning.
 
Originally Posted By: alanu
Another possibility is a cracked brake pad material. Harmonics can start form hairline cracks.

In that case, then why would the noise stop when I hit the brakes?
54.gif
 
Had this on an olds intrigue with rear discs.

Rotors had a pitting type of rust that got deep in the iron and wouldn't "scrape off". This rust scrubbed the pads down in no time at all and she started making noise.

The problem will be very obvious if you poke your head underneath.

Also note the saturn e-brake retractor spring on top of the caliper gets weak and doesn't pull the cable back to "rest" after many years. You can crawl under the back and make sure both sides' park brake lever geometries at "off" and "on" settings match.
 
I can see how irritating brake noises can be. I would double check to see if the e-brake is hanging. Jack up the rear end and apply the e-brake, then release. Spin the rear wheels to see if theres significant drag. Look to see if the lever is in the "released" position.

E-brake cables can get stiff over time. This may not be ideal but if you park on level ground I would make sure the E-brake lever is fully released and DONT use the parking brakes for a couple of days. This will eliminate the variable of a hanging E-brake mechanism.

A piston may NOT be retracting when you release the brake pedal. This may be another cause for noise. Look to see wierd discolouration on the rotor. There maybe hardspots in the rotor casting.

Old brake hoses sometimes act as check valves and may not allow the piston in the caliper to retract.

If your getting a droning sound that maybe the wheel bearing but typically a bearing will not decide to become quiet after several blocks. This is why I doubt a bearing noise.

To be straight to the point I would remove the calipers and pads and inspect. Look closely at the pads and see if they are indeed cracked. A long shot I'd say there maybe inperfections in the pad material. I have seen hard spots in rotor castings so this is also a potential noise maker.

I've had a handful of customers requesting Pbr metal master pads and the pad material would transmit a metallic grinding sound on new rotors. Even under close inspection I determined its the nature of the beast.
 
Originally Posted By: alanu
A piston may NOT be retracting when you release the brake pedal. This may be another cause for noise.

I think that might be it.

I just went outside and released the e-brake. Then, I "rocked" the car from front to rear. I then heard a very loud "squeak" sound.
 
Originally Posted By: moribundman
Quote:
Metallic Noise Coming From the Rear End


Richard Gere might be able to advise.


Yeah, maybe a gerbil is stuck in your tailpipe...
LOL.gif
j/k

Do you have the internal Ebrake inside the rear rotors? Could be stuck and all the pad is gone and its metal on metal.
 
Originally Posted By: PT1
Originally Posted By: moribundman
Quote:
Metallic Noise Coming From the Rear End


Richard Gere might be able to advise.


Yeah, maybe a gerbil is stuck in your tailpipe...
LOL.gif
j/k

Do you have the internal Ebrake inside the rear rotors? Could be stuck and all the pad is gone and its metal on metal.

No, the parking brake assembly is part of the rear caliper itself.

FWIW, the completely disappeared today. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't reproduce the noise.
 
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