Rear brakes sounds

[98SF19]

Rear brakes have been "noisy" for a while now, specifically right rear. By noisy, I don't mean the high pitched metal-on-metal; it sounds like new pads getting worn in, maybe like sandpaper on the rotors. So I've had the brake caliper tool set on loan from store for several months, and have removed calipers and inspected a few times thinking that I knew what the issue was. Nope. I should say that I have the rear seat and parcel shelf out right now, which does allow more noise from back there, but I'm pretty sure what I'm hearing is excessive still.

Also, it seems that there is some variance in the pad sizes between left and right, but inspecting them, it seems they are snug with springs being flexed when installed. Is there something I'm missing that might be causing this? Perhaps pads on right rears are slightly oversized - It has been a PITA getting the 2nd caliper bolt lined up every time I've taken it off.

Thanks!

 

[99sho-time]

It may very well be that the pads are defective. where are the pads and rotors from?

 

[98SF19]

What I forgot to mention was that I'd been running the existing setup for a while with no issues (~3 years maybe). I'm pretty sure I installed the pads, but wouldn't have put on mis-matching pairs. We have 3 vehicles so it's a bit of a blur trying to remember what was done to which and when. I guess I need to keep a written log.
Anyway, I'll have the pros give it a look, and I hope I can get my deposit back on the brake tool set since I've had it for so long!

 

[gamefanatic]

Just wondering if you are only hearing the noise under driving conditions or if you can replicate the noise while the car is off the ground? Just woundering if you knew the noise was not coming from the wheel bearing vs the calipers?

 

[GEN 3 SHO FAN]

Anothing to consider as our are aging is the rear brake bias valve which is reducing brake force on rear wheel and give it as the weight is higher on the rear wheels. With time, this crappy invention progressively stop working retreiving braking power from the rear... The calipers will jam rapidely because they are not working very much. Often, the 2 rear brakes will apply the same force and you will feel it in the steering when you brake (can be enough to be dangerous).

I'm not sure is your problem now however. But If you have some money, do yourself a favor and bypass this, the car will be safer. I think that Ford came to a bypass too according to some observations at the scrapyard on 2000-2007 SLO modified by dealers.

 

[98SF19]

rear brake bias valve

Tres interesante
I hadn't heard of this component before. Car is currently at the shop getting Konis mounted along with lowering springs, new strut mounts, and camber kit (from Nimz!) I did tell the shop to check rear brakes. Will update on what they find . . .

 

[98SF19]

Just wondering if the noise was coming from the wheel bearing vs the calipers?

Having had it up several times for this reason, it seems that turning the wheels when off the ground gave a *different* sound; both were cyclical with turning of the wheel, but during driving, it seemed a bit more intense. I think it's normal to hear at least as slight amount of sliding/scratching when turning wheels off the ground as rotors are always very close to pads (ideally).