Tapping noise from the left front brake when heated up

Tapping noise from the left front brake when heated up

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k_m

Original Poster:

95 posts

7 months

Sunday 15th September
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My May 2024 car with big brake kit and only 2500 km recently started to produce a tapping noise from the left front brake which seems to get worse. It sounds like the pads are moving a little inside the caliper and appears only when the brakes are heated up and I firmly push the brake pedal, e.g. when slowing down into a hairpin bent or approaching a traffic stop. One tap per wheel revolution, but no vibrations felt via the brake pedal or the steering wheel. With cold brakes it is not present, neither when I just gently push the brake pedal.
I took the front left wheel off and checked the brake disc for stone chips, still looks almost like new with a smooth surface inside and outside. Also removed the pins to check the pads, but it's the version with the adhesive tape, sticked to the pistons, so actually they cannot move inside the caliper. As the car is still under warranty I didn't want to cut them loose.

I have read several reports that the OEM pads tend to leave deposits on the disc surface, could that be the case? But strange that it disappears with cold brakes.


Edited by k_m on Sunday 15th September 10:10

k_m

Original Poster:

95 posts

7 months

Monday 16th September
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Update: Took another test drive today, initially the noise reappeared after some spirited driving. Then I performed several "brake pad bed-in procedures". After a couple of attempts the noise was gone and did not reappear so far. So propably pad deposits on the rotors. Gonna keep an eye on it...

k_m

Original Poster:

95 posts

7 months

Tuesday 17th September
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Okay, I was a little too optimistic, the klicking noise came back. Luckily it happened close to an Alpine Service, so I drove by, they took it straight to the brake test bench and could reproduce the noise. It is definitely coming from the left front caliper. Got an appointment for Friday, they gonna take the caliper off for a closer inspection.

PHusername

17 posts

1 month

Thursday
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I would have bet on pad deposits from initial description, but sounds like it's something else. Hopefully Alpine get you sorted quickly & conveniently.

Let us know if they fine anything interesting.