I noticed a strange knocking/clacking sound while reversing my car, after a full brake pad change and service of the calipers (DIY).
I chalked it up to be the emergency brakes not adjusted properly, so I dug into them and noticed they looked and operated normally.
I adjusted them, spun the rotors and everything seemed fine. It was only once the calipers were back on that noticed the issue.
One of the rear calipers I replaced, the older one is the one seeming to have the issue.
It started out as the pads sort of flopping back instead of sliding sideways on the pin system the GT rear calipers have. Thinking back on this, maybe these pads (Raybestos) have slightly larger holes for the pins and the slop allows them to sort of knock back and touch the rotor when the piston is disengaged.
I took it off, did not see anything wrong at the time, and reinstalled the caliper. The new caliper ever so slightly touched the rotor on occasion, the older one would hop on off causing sporadic grazing of the rotor, skimming it slightly which did affect the speed of the wheel when spun.
About a week later, I noticed a strange smell... and again noticed it the second day. Sure enough it was the older rear brake, much more heat, dust, and the smell coming from it. I took off my wheel today; it's not seized but the paid is pressing right up against the rotor, completely inhibiting free spin.
It seems obvious that it could be a problem with the caliper, and if so, I can go and buy an off the shelf one for about $70 and install it myself.
I still want to ask you seasoned Vibe owners if I'm missing something. Are these two separate issues? A malfunctioning caliper piston, and wide brake pad holes causing the noise?
At least a new caliper comes with new guide pins that could provide a tighter fit.
Anyone experience click-clacking rear disc brakes before?
Please, any advice would be greatly appreciated.