18 replies to this topic

[Detta]

Hey guys, looking for some problem solving advice from more seasoned owners. The past week the VX has started to develop an unidentified rattle, it has been quite hard to identify the exact location as the car has to be on the move to hear it, it's definitely coming from the front end of the car, sounds like it is offside somewhere behind the dash/footwell, but getting an exact fix is tricky from the drivers seat. I have tried to simulate it while stationary through various revs and playing with the clutch etc but nothing. It doesn't kick in at speed, in fact it is most noticeable while crawling at lower speeds where it seems as though it might even be linked to the RPM of the wheels but I could be imagining that at higher speeds it seems to be more affected by the jolts and judders of the road, and is quickly drowned out by other sounds (wind!). From what I have gathered in my short time trying to diagnose it is that it somehow seems to be tied into the brakes, if I apply the brakes, even ever so slightly, the rattle disappears entirely. Before I get to involved with problem solving, being a relatively new VX owner I thought it would make sense to ask here in case it is a common issue, or if anybody has experienced the same symptoms in the past. If people think it will help I will try to capture a video clip (of the sound) on my drive home tonight. I should also add that the brakes seem to behaving perfectly, and I can't 'feel' anything feedback wise through the rest of the car. Any ideas? Cheers!

[Judderman]

have you tried jacking it up if you think its coming from the front and spinning the wheels?

[Hark]

Pads rattling? As above jack it up and see if it does it when wheels spin? Or spin wheels and lightly apply brakes?

[Detta]

No, it's come in the middle of a busy working week and I'm a little sketchy on the jacking point on the VX.


There are no red marks to identify them as supposedly should be - Can you jack on point A without removing the bottom tray?

[Goosenka]

Undertray loose? Be very careful of jacking points!! Do a search on here and research well.....too many horror stories....

[techieboy]

Pad rattle. Drive it slowly and see if it stops when you gently apply the brakes. Check tyre hasn't got a screw or something else stuck in it. Check the wheel and especially the balance weights aren't fouling either the ABS sensor wires or the brake line as it rotates. Check your tyre weld can in't rattling around.

[Detta]

I have checked the tyre weld can, that was my first port of call as from the drivers seat that's exactly where the sound seemed to be coming from, wasn't that.

Pad rattle. Drive it slowly and see if it stops when you gently apply the brakes.

That's exactly what happens, forgive the newbie question but if it does turn out to be something so simple, how easy would it be to sort? Is it indicative of needing new pads, or just that they are loose? And if so, easy enough to tighten up?

I've done a lot of Haynes guided work on my old cars, but believe it or not, never actually changed brake pads! That's always something my mechanic has done for no charge when they near that stage pre-MOT.

That sounds terrible... I have no real excuse!

Edited by Detta, 29 May 2012 - 02:08 PM.

[westie]

Yep deffo sounds like pad rattle, if you can only hear it at low speed, the pads should have an anti squeal material on them which is Made of rubber this should stop the clicking type noise you hear. If your pads dont have them on you can easily get it from elise shop or elise parts its a simples fix as it only sticks onto the back of the pad make sure you use some anti squeal compound when assembling as well.sometimes it also comes with a new set of pads, but some people dont bother fitting it.

[westie]

http://www.elisepart...l-silencer-kit/ There you go mate this is it

[Detta]

Thanks, I will have a proper investigate when time allows. I hope it is as simple as that.

[Detta]

p.s. you're all Legends, don't know what I would do without this site!

[Boombang]

The calipers have thin rubberish anti-rattle buffers/shim stuck to them down the side of the pad - pad rubber backing is to stop squeal rather than pad rattle. Most aftermarket race pads are undersize to allow for expansion under use, when cold they will rattle and the shims stop this.

[Detta]

So, looking at these rather than the anti squeaking kit? http://www.elisepart...-brake-buffers/

[Boombang]

Yup, you may well find there are none on your calipers. Need to be completely clean to fit new ones.

[Detta]

Being totally new to changing brakes, presuming it turns out to be this, am I going to have to bleed the system to get the calipers out and the pads off?

[techieboy]

No. Just remove wheel and the two allen headed bolts that hold the caliper on and away you go.

[techieboy]

Watch this a few times......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2jVE1I6aBs


And for the Vauxhall bible for the VX:

TIS Brake section

[ghand]

If you just put your finger through the wheel and tap or pull in and out on the pad you will hear it rattle and feel movement if that is your problem.The pin may be loose as the spring clip is not pressing on the pad and pin as it should be due to age or slightly different pads. Mine did this after fitting Mintex pads.I just bent the spring slightly with pliers job done.

[christhegasman]

Pad rattle. Drive it slowly and see if it stops when you gently apply the brakes.

Check tyre hasn't got a screw or something else stuck in it.

Check the wheel and especially the balance weights aren't fouling either the ABS sensor wires or the brake line as it rotates.

Check your tyre weld can in't rattling around.

i have the same problem you can get some sticky pads from lotus that is supposed to cure the problem