Hello everyone,

Searched around for a while, but could really use some help. I am still really new to this forum, and I have come across some really useful information for the 8. Any input would be greatly appreciated, as I am now baffled. After I took off the stock pads that I use for the street in preparation for another track event, I noticed there was more play room than usual for the brake pads in one of the front calipers. I am assuming this is causing the rattling noise after a few minutes of driving...I'm picturing a sticky heated pad that is brushing up against a moving rotor causing it to slam against the caliper housing. If anyone else has had this problem and knows a solution, that would be great. From what I can see, there shouldn't be any method for the break pad slot to be adjusted for fitment, besides those metal tabs. Almost just want to change the caliper haha

Thanks again!

 

You were kind of on the right track, it is indeed the metal tabs. I had that problem when I changed my stock pads. Proceed to remove your calipers but keep the pads in the bracket. If your tabs are loose, the pads will freely move side-to-side/up-and-down. Carefully bend it, otherwise, it will break if you force it at once. You should also have the shim plate that goes in between the pad and the caliper-piston installed.

Front Pads Confusion
Brake Job
Noisy Suspension/Brakes help
HELP: Clicking noise coming from brakes?

 

The rattle is 'normal', unfortunately. I have replaced the shims and spring clips regularly since 2004 when doing pad changes, and the rattle is the thing that stays. With new clips it may be reduced for a time, but then it's back.

Looking at other cars, many have a single large spring clamp that hold the pads tightly, eliminating movement when the brakes are not applied. With the RX-8 the pads can rattle around when the brakes are off given the force of bumps in the road, suspension movement, etc., because the multiple small sping clips don't control the pad movement well, just keep the pad from touching the caliper itself.

 

Uh, not mine... It never had it even before I changed the front pads, it only manifested after I replaced them with a new one and I fixed it a little over a year ago and hasn't returned.

 

Only thing I will add is I do track, and that can take the whole brake assembly to >500 deg and may take the temper out of the clips, exacerbating the situation, not really sure what happens if only experiencing 'normal DD' type driving.

 

You can buy new pad clips in a kit at autoparts places for most calipers...that might help..

Make sure the caliper slides are moving freely as well..and lubricate them with a high temp brake lubricant ...

 

Thanks for the feedback everyone! But yea, from working on previous cars there is always some type of retaining system for the pads. Oh welll....let's see if changing the shims and clips will do any magic. Brakes did get a pretty good workout at the last track event haha

 

Ps anyone going to mazfest?

 

Look into JEDI's thread for SevenStock... They're aiming for a 150+ RX-7/8 convoy.

 

Mazfest & SevenStock are both being held at Willow Springs on the 29th for what should be one of THE best Mazda / Rotary meets every in SoCal.

are you running the 8 on the track that day?

thanks Grace
https://www.rx8club.com/west-rx-8-fo...aravan-237401/

 

Thats a crazy turn out! Thanks for the heads up Grace_Excel


Still thinking about tracking haha, I'll probably decide in the next week. Def depends on if there are still slots open and if i can prep the car in time. If not, always down to check out all the cool stuff and everyone else' rides! Gotta love that bowl turn lol

 

This might be the ONLY time we ever do a track event as part of SevenStock so don't miss out.