Brake Pedal Clicking - Annoying Noise

[MakaveliX]

Any idea what is causing my brake pedal to make an annoying clicking noise whenever I apply the brakes whilst driving?

There is no noise whatsoever when parked up and I apply the brake. But when driving along if I apply the brakes I get an annoying click/knock sound which seems to be coming from around the brake pedal. It's a one off click noise every time I apply the brake

Pads/Discs/Caliper and Sliders are all fairly new.

It's not the brake light switch as I've checked that too.

[Pica-Pica]

Is it a light touch or more heavier braking? It could be the servo taking the load and the slack in the pedal linkage.

[Draxindustries1]

You mention pads ,discs , sliders all fairly new but I'd check for pad movement in the carriers.
Different makes of pad will all have very slightly different dimensions. It only takes a millimetre of movement to cause the clicking noise when applying the brakes.

[MakaveliX]

Pica-Pica said:

Is it a light touch or more heavier braking? It could be the servo taking the load and the slack in the pedal linkage.

Light braking.
As soon as I apply the brake pedal I get the click sound.

Could be the pads yes, but I have tried to inspect from the outside and cannot see/feel any movement.
Also when going over bumpy roads I hear no noises at all, surely if it were the pads then I'd have rattles coming from the wheel area ?

Pads and discs done 6 months ago, caliper and sliders done about a month and a half ago.
So possibly the old pads which are now in the newer calipers has a slight mis fit ?
Only thing is, when I got the caliper replaced it had no noise until recently

Edited by MakaveliX on Tuesday 5th July 16:43

[Demelitia]

If you press the brake, and slow to a complete stop, then go in to reverse with the pedal still held down and set off backwards (you might have to lower the pressure on the pedal) do you get another click?
If that happens it could well be the pads shifting back and forth in the carriers.
I’ve seen this exact problem happen on an A4; good quality pads sorted it.

If that test isn’t definite, you might have to build up a little bit of speed in reverse then press the brake pedal.

Another test would be to Jack a wheel up, have someone sit in the drivers seat holding the brake pedal with the engine off and then turn the jacked up wheel by hand.
I imagine you’ll be able to see the pads shifting back and forth gripping the disc if it is them, or possibly another brake component moving in time with the noise you’re hearing.

Some pads require abutment clips to be fitted to the caliper carriers to take up the slack.

I’d also check for wear in the caliper carriers. Slop there would allow even good quality pads to shift about.

[MakaveliX]

Demelitia said:

If you press the brake, and slow to a complete stop, then go in to reverse with the pedal still held down and set off backwards (you might have to lower the pressure on the pedal) do you get another click?
If that happens it could well be the pads shifting back and forth in the carriers.
I’ve seen this exact problem happen on an A4; good quality pads sorted it.

If that test isn’t definite, you might have to build up a little bit of speed in reverse then press the brake pedal.

Another test would be to Jack a wheel up, have someone sit in the drivers seat holding the brake pedal with the engine off and then turn the jacked up wheel by hand.
I imagine you’ll be able to see the pads shifting back and forth gripping the disc if it is them, or possibly another brake component moving in time with the noise you’re hearing.

Some pads require abutment clips to be fitted to the caliper carriers to take up the slack.

I’d also check for wear in the caliper carriers. Slop there would allow even good quality pads to shift about.

If you mean by applying the brake, coming to a stop, putting into reverse, then keeping the brake lightly pressed whilst lifting up on the clutch. No noise there.

I also drove backwards and forwards consecutively a few times, no noise there.

It only seems to be when going between 15 and 45 mph and braking lightly.

[GreenV8S]

Is the noise coming from the pedal area or the brakes themselves?

[MakaveliX]

GreenV8S said:

Is the noise coming from the pedal area or the brakes themselves?

Pedal area, as far as I can tell.
I had the windows down, only heard it from the footwell of the car.

I'd know if it were coming from the disc/pad as when I had squeaky brakes ages ago I could tell straight away. This definitely is inside the car

[Demelitia]

Have you tried swinging about on the brake components accessible from the footwell?
Any slight movements or feelings to be had from the brake servo when you press the brakes?
A long screwdriver pressed to your gear might help you pick up something that’s quieter but still there when the car isn’t moving.

[MakaveliX]

Demelitia said:

Have you tried swinging about on the brake components accessible from the footwell?
Any slight movements or feelings to be had from the brake servo when you press the brakes?

Yep. I turned the ignition on, got under the footwell so I could see all the components here...



Press down whilst the car is stationary and no sounds whatsoever. Obviously I cannot get under there whilst driving and applying the brake ( which is when it makes a loud knock sound )

I think it's coming from behind that big circular rubber piece which pushes in and out when I brake.

[GreenV8S]

There are a couple of valves in the brake servo that are closed by pedal pressure. It's possible one of these is sticking / wrongly adjusted and causing the click. I don't understand why that would only happen when driving, but perhaps it's due to something related to ABS which only happens when the vehicle is moving.

[MakaveliX]

GreenV8S said:

There are a couple of valves in the brake servo that are closed by pedal pressure. It's possible one of these is sticking / wrongly adjusted and causing the click. I don't understand why that would only happen when driving, but perhaps it's due to something related to ABS which only happens when the vehicle is moving.

Yeah I thought perhaps something to do with the ABS. Makes no sense why it only does it whilst driving.

Also forgot to say, as it's a 2008 Toyota. In the whole year I've owned it, the only issues I've had were the odd rattle here and there.
Steering wheel click was fixed by lubrication, the clutch pedal used to click and sorted that by lubricating it. Maybe it's just wear and tear on an old car, and most likely something that I cannot see, needs to be tightened or lubed ?

[MakaveliX]

Had a bit of listening today. The noise is definitely louder and clearer with the driver window down, sounds like a metal clicking sound.
Probably something to do with the pads then, I'll take it to a mechanic next week, hopefully they can sort it.

this describes it to a tee.

Edited by MakaveliX on Thursday 7th July 17:08

[Pica-Pica]

MakaveliX said:

Had a bit of listening today. The noise is definitely louder and clearer with the driver window down, sounds like a metal clicking sound.
Probably something to do with the pads then, I'll take it to a mechanic next week, hopefully they can sort it.

this describes it to a tee.

Edited by MakaveliX on Thursday 7th July 17:08

So much for poka-yoke.

[MakaveliX]

In regards to these anti-rattle springs.
I know some cars have this style..


Mine however have these...


I'd assume they help stop the pad from moving ?
I'll be getting the clips as pictured above replaced this week. Hopefully sorts it out.

[MakaveliX]

Had the anti rattle springs replaced. Noise still there. Not sure where to go next

Think it started after giving the car a clean, however surely one clean won't remove any lubricant etc ?

Edited by MakaveliX on Tuesday 12th July 15:40

[MakaveliX]

Will get the brakes relubricated next week along with an inspection of the pads

[neenoy]

Which spring did you replace? The long ones are usually there to help locate the caliper itself. The ones for the end of the pads stop the pads rattling/protect the carriers. It is possible that both are fitted. If the pad ones are missing, the pad knocks back and forth and makes the type of noise you report.

[MakaveliX]

neenoy said:

Which spring did you replace? The long ones are usually there to help locate the caliper itself. The ones for the end of the pads stop the pads rattling/protect the carriers. It is possible that both are fitted. If the pad ones are missing, the pad knocks back and forth and makes the type of noise you report.

Done plenty of reading and YouTube etc. The MK1 Yaris only has the ones you mention, the MK2 only has the long ones

Click sound happens right at the top of the pedal as soon as it's pressed.
If I keep the pedal pressed down a tiny bit, then pulse the brake, no noise.

Perhaps it's because the pads I had replaced 6 months ago are cheapo ones ? Never made the noise until just recently.

Edited by MakaveliX on Thursday 14th July 15:00

[neenoy]

The usual cause for this is similar calipers and the short pads designed for the clips are fitted to calipers that don't need the clips. Worth checking if the pads are exactly the right ones for your car. Maybe the wrong ones were fitted at some point? This is a possible problem on my S-Type and the pad lengths differ by just 1.3 mm.

I just took a look at the pads and, as you say, the MKI is likely to exhibit this problem. The pads for the later cars shouldn't. However, the pad could still be wrong for the car and if it is a loose fit (naturally or if someone trimmed the backing plate to fit), it is worth a check, if only to rule out the possibility.

The symptom of a loose pad is exactly that they rotate and clonk to a halt against the carrier as soon as you touch the brakes.

Edited by neenoy on Thursday 14th July 15:29

Edited by neenoy on Thursday 14th July 15:31