1999 Integra Sedan at 90k
Rotors and pads changed at 68k

Ok here is the story. I dont know if the two things relate or not. I am sure you guys can help

My engine check light came on. I thought nothing much of it because the car still ran fine and I had to get home anyway so I couldnt check the code right away. I drove 10 miles after I see the light. I park and turned off car. I started it again 5 minutes later and the light just went away.

I then drove down the block, I heard a metallic scratching noise for a split second. Then it went away. As a few days passes by, the noise get louder and doesnt disappear. I hear the noise when I get to around 10-25mph. Any faster, and the noise goes away. The noise also goes away when I slam the brakes. So I am thinking that it is either the pads or the caliper. (comes from front passenger side).

I havent gotten a chance to really take the wheel off and inspect the stuff myself yet. But from the outside, everything looks fine. The outter brake pads are in good condition and dont need replacing yet. I cant see the inner pads. I asked a couple people and they are thinking it is either a sticky caliper or the inner pad is gone and needs to be replaced.

My questions are:
1. What do you think it is?
2. What can I do about a sticky caliper?

Thanks.

 

1. The CEL is unrelated to the brakes.
2. I still think its the caliper, from the way the noise sounded...but it could possibly be a pad wearing out. However, I don't know why the inner pad would wear more than the outside, in theory they should wear evenly.

h:

 

technically they should wear evenly....but there is a lot of things about cars that work perfect on paper and dont work at all when u really put them on the car... the "metal scraping" sound your describing sounds like the sensor on the pad going off letting you know it's time to change them....you could be only millimeters away from the sensor on the other side and thats why your only hearing it on one side....take them to ur brake guy and have em checked out ... or do it yourself....on the left side of the pad there should be a little tiny strip of [sheet metal?] that begins to touch the rotor itself @ about 90% wear (10% remaining) on the pads... generally thats what the sound is....weird that u burned thru them that fast....but w/o seeing/hearing it's tough to make a judgement on it

 

theres only one possibility if one pad is wearing faster than the other and thats that u have a caliper sticking. the fact that you are hearing a grinding noise at low speeds or when u apply brakes could signify this but i would get the tire off and check the pads see how they ook. or the noise could be as tegbooster said the little wear strip on the pad itself. and if that is the noise and the inner pad is the only one really wore that says u have a sticky caliper.

to fix this just go down to the parts store and pick up a new caliper or rebuilt depending on what is available and throw it on along with new pads and rotors. problem solved. oh yea and bleed the brakes if u didnt think of that. only way to really fix a sticky caliper is to replace it.

 

I've never seen pads where the inside didn't wear faster. don't know why, they just do. If its exccesive it means the sliders (or whatever they are called) are stuck. The sliders allow the pads to remain centered around rotor as the piston moves in as the pads wear.

 

Thanks guys. :thumbups:

I should be free in a couple days to get them checked out.

If the calipers are indeed sticking, is that a cheap fix?

 

not sure bout prices where your from but just looking at what my warehouse charges me and going off that i would say u can expect to pay 60-70 bucks for a rebuilt caliper with pads and of course thats excluding cost of core....labor wise its not a very intesive operation...im sure you know what your doin

 

check these first.


if they are stcking at all you can pull them apart and grease them up. I usually do that anyway if I'm working on brakes. chances are that will fix your problem. If the boots are ripped or cracked you can get a rebuild kit from rockauto.com for like $20 that includes all the boots, seals and bushings.

 

Thanks you guys, I really appreciate it.

 

The boots looked like they were in good condition. I slide them to the side and the inside looked like it was lubed well.

Here is a picture of the pads...The inner pads were much thinner than the outter pads. They look like they need to be replaced. What do you guys think?