Caliper slide pins chirping?

[YippieKiYayMrFalcon]

I’ve got a 2021 with about 5,000 miles. For the last 1500 miles or so, I’ve had a consistent chirp coming from both axles. It happens during 2 conditions:

1. Going over moderate bumps at slow to moderate speeds. Think like small potholes or a gravel road that’s mostly smooth, but not 100%. Speeds at 10-35 mph. Really hard bumps do not produce the sound.

2. Any surface when I first apply the brakes, but only under light braking. It’s the same chirp. Doesn’t happen when I brake hard, and it’s not a pad on rotor sound. It’s also not rotational.

It really sounds like a suspension chirp, but the whole it’s happening when I brake thing is really throwing me off. It sounded like it was only coming from the rear passenger side at first, but it’s definitely both axels now. I had the tires off last weekend to rotate them, and lightly pounded on the caliper with the palm of my hand and think I was able to reproduce it once or twice.

Does any of this sound like I just need to clean and regrease my guide pins?

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[PacNWJLGecko]

Is it still under warranty...?

 

[YippieKiYayMrFalcon]

Is it still under warranty...?

Yes, I know I can take it in but it’s a PITA to go up there. If it’s something simple that just needs lube or grease I’d love to avoid having to deal with the dealership.

 

[redelses]

mine does the same thing, did this on my previous one (2018) and this one (2021). I notice it almost every time I apply the brakes on any surface. haven't figured it out yet.

I’ve got a 2021 with about 5,000 miles. For the last 1500 miles or so, I’ve had a consistent chirp coming from both axles. It happens during 2 conditions:

1. Going over moderate bumps at slow to moderate speeds. Think like small potholes or a gravel road that’s mostly smooth, but not 100%. Speeds at 10-35 mph. Really hard bumps do not produce the sound.

2. Any surface when I first apply the brakes, but only under light braking. It’s the same chirp. Doesn’t happen when I brake hard, and it’s not a pad on rotor sound. It’s also not rotational.

It really sounds like a suspension chirp, but the whole it’s happening when I brake thing is really throwing me off. It sounded like it was only coming from the rear passenger side at first, but it’s definitely both axels now. I had the tires off last weekend to rotate them, and lightly pounded on the caliper with the palm of my hand and think I was able to reproduce it once or twice.

Does any of this sound like I just need to clean and regrease my guide pins?

 

[limeade]

Within the first 5k miles, my 2018's brakes would squeal/chirp upon light brake pedal pressure. I took both front and rears apart and found the brake pad clips to be DRY. There appeared to be a black coating on the clip, which was flaking off. Best guess is the coating was supposed to serve as some type of coating/dry lubrication. The guide pins were lubed.

I used Sil-Glyde on all of the pad clips and back of the pads/shims where they make contact with the piston. I also lubed the end (ears) of the pads. These ears sit in the pad clips and are the parts which slide back and forth when the piston presses on the pad.

Those brakes were perfectly quiet for several thousand miles. I have since swapped them out for the PowerStop Z36 system. I lubed those the same and they too have been squeal/chirp free.

Worst case, if the brakes aren't what's chirping, you're not out anything but a little time. Plus you'll know your disc brake parts are properly lubricated and will operate correctly.

DRY:

LUBRICATED:

 

[YippieKiYayMrFalcon]

Within the first 5k miles, my 2018's brakes would squeal/chirp upon light brake pedal pressure. I took both front and rears apart and found the brake pad clips to be DRY. There appeared to be a black coating on the clip, which was flaking off. Best guess is the coating was supposed to serve as some type of coating/dry lubrication. The guide pins were lubed.

I used Sil-Glyde on all of the pad clips and back of the pads/shims where they make contact with the piston. I also lubed the end (ears) of the pads. These ears sit in the pad clips and are the parts which slide back and forth when the piston presses on the pad.

Those brakes were perfectly quiet for several thousand miles. I have since swapped them out for the PowerStop Z36 system. I lubed those the same and they too have been squeal/chirp free.

Worst case, if the brakes aren't what's chirping, you're not out anything but a little time. Plus you'll know your disc brake parts are properly lubricated and will operate correctly.

Thanks. The clips and back of the pads also crossed my mind. Guess I know what I’m doing Saturday.

 

[limeade]

Thanks. The clips and back of the pads also crossed my mind. Guess I know what I’m doing Saturday.

I added a few pics of what my before and after in case you've never done JL brakes before.

 

[YippieKiYayMrFalcon]

I added a few pics of what my before and after in case you've never done JL brakes before.

I have not, so I appreciate it.

 

[limeade]

I have not, so I appreciate it.

Those round clips (one on top and bottom of each pad) need to be pulled back to release the pad from the caliper bracket. Once the pads are back in the bracket, push those clips back in to secure the pad. If you've ever done brakes before, they're pretty much like all the rest. Very easy

 

[Glamisfan]

Mine does the same thing. I thought that I traced it down to some little metal clips and I applied grease to it, seem to make a difference for a few days and then it came back.

 

[limeade]

Mine does the same thing. I thought that I traced it down to some little metal clips and I applied grease to it, seem to make a difference for a few days and then it came back.

What kind of lubricant did you use? If it's not a disc brake specific lube, it won't hold up to the extreme heat and will quickly dry up.

 

[Glamisfan]

It was disc brake lube or grease.

 

[YippieKiYayMrFalcon]

So I got all the wheels off today and cleaned and applied sil-glyde to the clips, back of the pads, shims, and other contact points. The only thing I didn’t do is the guide pins. They seemed springy and well greased, so I left them alone. I only have 5,000 miles so I figured it was fine to skip.

I noticed some wear on the top clips where the dog ears of the pads make contact with the clips. My guess is this was the main reason for the chirp, so I applied extra grease there.

Took it on a test drive around the neighborhood and it’s now quiet as a mouse fart. Very happy with the results. Hopefully they stay quiet for the life of the pads.

 

[limeade]

Glad you found the source and got it taken care of.

 

[YippieKiYayMrFalcon]

Glad you found the source and got it taken care of.

Thanks for the help!

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