After almost two years, I just need to ask if anyone has noticed this. I tried a search and found nothing.

With the windows down I experience a definite click from the brakes whenever I change braking direction. No, it is not the ABS homing nor a brake squeal. When I back out of the garage and I first apply the brakes I get a single metallic click. If I back up and brake some more there is no more click. Then when I roll forward I get a click the first time I apply the brakes but not thereafter. After getting to the parking lot at work, I get a click when I back into the parking space and first apply the brakes.

It is like something metallic shifts in the direction of braking. It is an outside noise (no, I don't have a ball bearing rolling around my glove box) and sounds like it is coming from the wheels. I had the dealer check it and they say it is normal.

Is it?

 

Check the torque of the caliper bolts. If you've lost one of the lower bolts on the rear caliper it will make this exact noise (experience speaking).

 

are you running the revised lugnut torque of 108 ft-lb, it was increased due to wheel movement under braking

 

Are you referring to TSB 02-002/04? I thought of that but that TSB is really associated with a snapping when turning at low speed with the snapping being repetitive as the wheel rotates. My click occurs once and only once (after each direction change) whether the car is moving straight or turning. I'll check the lugnut torque anyway but the symptoms don't quite match.


THEDOSDOG, thanks for the tip. I'll check the caliper bolts this weekend.

 

I appear to have the same metallic click (clonk?) on initial brake application as described in this thread. I have not, as yet, addressed this issue to my local Mazda service department.

(A) It is not, as some have suggested, associated with wheel nut torque.
(B) It is not as some have suggested, associated with brake caliper clips, etc.
(C) It does appear to be coming from one of three possible locations.
(1) Transmission
(2) Drive shaft U-Joints
(3) Differential

I have reached these conclusions on the basis that I have an automatic transmission equipped car and the noise can be duplicated in "Park" (with the handbrake off) by rolling the car (by hand) back and forth (as limited by driveline lash, of course). In this manner, the wheel nuts and brake calipers are not part of the equation - only the driveline.

 

How does one do this? Park pin limits movement.

 

The switch mechanism for park pin- is a simple mechanical device- could it be that the pin is bent- not fully clearing pin assembly to drive, thus on normal drive harmonics, occasionally touching in the rotation process? Just a thought.

 

A final followup to my original post.

I checked my calipers and all bolts were installed and tight (thanks anyway, TheDosDog). I got sufficiently tired of the noise so, even though they said it was normal, I took the car back to the Mazda dealer and provided a written set of instructions guaranteed to continually reproduce the click/creak when stopping.

I got the car back this afternoon and the noise is gone (insert sound of heavenly angels singing)! They replaced the front pads and clips (original parts from a 5/03 build) with the redesigned pads and clips (TSB #04-006/04 Squeal Noise from Front Brakes). Apparently the original pads/clips wear and develop some play, causing the metallic click.

Added benefit, besides an extra 15K miles of brake pad life, is that it is said the new pads produce much less brake dust. I'm looking forward to that.

Quiet and Clean, what more could one ask. :D

 

awesome...i was just about to post up "check the metal clips/shims the brake pads slide onto". that's when you either replace them or add some anti-seize/anti squeal lubricant on the brake pad backings and clip slides.

this is a good thread...very good for reference.

 

When was the last time your brake pads were changed? I know in the past I've had cars that had a "tattle-tale", and would click to let you know you needed new pads.

 

as to what msrecant said above, this is what's going on. i had the same clicking noise when changing directions in my driveway. i was told that it was the shifting of the front pads. i also had the squealing problem. got new pads installed yesterday and the clicking and squealing are gone.

 

The brake pads were original with the car, however, I only have 14,500 miles on the RX-8. Also, the owners manual says the brake wear indicators produce a "screeching" noise to let you know the pads are getting thin. From the dealer comments, it sounds like a problem with the original brake clip design.

 

The last time I developed this problem, it was right after I had the brake pads changed to the non-squealing ones. Took the car back in, turns out the rotors were loose (!!!!!!!) and had warped. Got two new front rotors, problem gone for now.

 

Reviving this thread.
I too have this issue and am sure it is not the ABS system--there is a loud click every time I change directions (forward/reverse). I will remove the wheels tonight and look for issues with the rotors/calipers/clips. I believe it is coming from the front brakes. Any suggestions before I start troubleshooting?

FS

 

Are you sure it's not the automatic ABS check?

 

ABS check only happens once after you start the car. This is repeatable several times in a row.

 

Yep, what msrecant said. It will happen every time you switch directions (forward/reverse). It sounds like it's coming from front brakes. I do know that my front pads were replaced by Mazda awhile back for the newer non-squealing pads.

FS

 

I have found that simply switching the brake pad clips around (reusing old ones but moving them to a different spot) reduces the noise significantly. I guess next step will be to order new clips.

FS