devildog1679

This is my situation; my car is making a strange crackling noise. The weird thing is when it happens. It only occurs when I transition from reverse to forward or vise versa, it makes the noise as soon as the brake pedal is pressed. Example: I’m backing into a spot shift to N then to first pull forward I tap the brakes and that’s when the crackling noise happens. It’s coming from the front right side, it sort of sounds like the sound the gearbox makes when shifting but its coming from a whole different area. Once in first I can come to a complete stop put in N then to first again move a little hit brakes then no sound. It only does it when transitioning from first to reverse or vise versa

Go48

Could just be brake dust on the pads. Could be the lug nuts are not tight. Could be a suspension component. Loosen all of the lug nuts and then tighten them with a torque wrench in a cross pattern progressively to about 80 ft. lbs.

[I know about the higher torque (~100 ft lbs as I recall) that Mazda recommends in some literature, but I'm reluctant to go that high with an alloy wheel.]

devildog1679

I actually changed out my brake lines 2 weeks ago, so the wheels are torque down. I think I found the cause, tell me if I'm on the right track. So I went down to trouble shoot the problem, I noticed that it only makes that sound if I go into reverse hit the brakes then go forward, as soon as I hit the brakes CRACK. So I tried doing it this way, I put the car into reverse moved a bit did not hit the brakes just let it roll to a stop then into first, moved a bit, hit the brakes and to my amazement no sound. So it only does it when I hit the brakes going in the opposite direction then transition over and hit the brakes. I am no expert but I think the cause may be that the calipers are loose, so when I hit the brakes they shift in that direction a bit, they stay there until I hit the brakes going in the opposite direction causing the caliper to move and make that sound. So am I on the right path?

Go48

How many miles on the brake pads? As I recall, one pad in each caliper has a little
metal projection that will rub on the brake rotor when the pad wear gets to a certain point. That would make a sound that might be described as screeching or maybe what you describe as crackling. Might want to check out the pad thickness before tearing into a caliper.

Seems possible as well, based on your test, that something is moving in the caliper. The caliper itself may not be loose, rather a pad, spring or something else may be shifting when you brake in reverse and then in a forward direction. I have not examined these calipers yet, so beyond that I can't suggest what might be shifting.

devildog1679

Thanks for your input, I checked the pads the day I did the lines and all looked good. Plus I think if the pads were worn it would make that sound allot more time. I'm pretty convinced its the caliper or like you said something to do with them. Since the brakes work great I'll just wait till next month when I take it in for an oil change. Then they can fix it

Go48

I think it's possible to get that sound intermittently when the tab first makes contact with the rotor. But having the dealer look into the problem is a good idea--if you have a competent service department to go to that is. You may get the old, "we can't replicate the problem. Seems to be just fine.". Good luck anyway.

devildog1679

I'll replicate it for them There good anyways.