Just put new rotors (stock brembo) and pads on (Hawk). After installation and bedding (by installer) drove home and seemed fine, although i was taking it easy with the new brakes. Later that night out driving again, noticing a loud banging when braking heavy. The Heavier the braking, the louder it gets. bam bam bam Bam Bam BA MBAM BAM!!!! it is VERY unsettling when braking hard.... The frequency of the banging does seem to cycle with the rotation of the wheel.

My first thought was warped rotor, except there is no pulsing pedal and is not noticeable under 'normal' braking. I took it back to the installer and they immediately said 'Yep - rotor is warped - no brainer'. I was still skeptical given the conditions required for the banging - but I follow their lead anyway. I say damn and ordered another rotor. Installed yesterday - banging is still there!! exactly the same noise so does not appear to be rotor related.

I have scoured the forums - can't find anything quite the same. I am thinking maybe bad hub/bearing? Still strange though since there is no noise at all (turning, normal braking, etc.) unless braking heavy i.e. at a stop light or something. Any thoughts????

 

Make sure all your rotors are torqued down correctly - sounds like a "loose" rotor to me.

EDIT

The above statement is completely wrong.

 

It's most likely an installation error. But then again I don't know if I would trust the shop you went to. Warped rotor was complete BS.

 

My guess is that the calipers aren't torqued correctly, make sure the bolts are tight.

 

Make sure the two pins that hold the pads in place on the caliper are pushed in and tight...

 

Please elaborate... Location of bolts and torque specs.

 

I am an idiot..I was thinking the rotors are screwed/bolted on.

 

They are, with the LUG NUTS...

Honestly, sounds like there is an installation issue here...

~ Joe Z

 

I broke everything down and re-assembled yesterday. Rebolted caliper to spec torque, made sure rotor is on straight and square, checked pads/shims, re-torqued lug nuts to spec. No change - still have terrible banging. I am thinking hub or bearings are jacked from rotor removal at installer. I am sure he used a large mallet to remove (not the 8mm bolts as per manual...) but I prob have tough time proving.

Any recommendation on best source for replacing hubs/bearings?

 

I am doubtful that a hub bearing will cause sudden banging or clunking noise (especially under braking).....seems like a bad idea to throw expensive parts at a guess....Go back to the original installer, and trouble shoot. Hubs are more likely to result in vibration under braking or grinding and rubbing input through the steering wheel when turning at speed away from TDC.


Digger08

 

I would also inspect the dust/splash cover behind the rotors and confirm it is not making contact with the rotor?

 

Have you tried checking the wheel bearing and ball joints for play with the wheel on and jacked up? I can see a ball joint giving you the described banging noise over the wheel bearing. But, you might be right, they may have damaged something if they pounded very hard. I can't see the rotors being that stuck on a car this new unless you drive it in crazy salt and never wash it.

 

Just an update - I took the car to a trusted shop and the mechanic was stumped after his diagnosis. He did recommend swapping pads from one side of the car to the other just to see if the sound went with the pads or not - maybe a bad pad etc. Well, I swapped pads and the banging has gone away! He presumed a loose shim or just a funny fit-up in the caliper, and he was right. All is well now and braking is noiseless once again!

 

good to hear!

 

great news !!