Brakes - Clicking Noise Upon Application
Article No.99-8-10
05/03/99
^ BRAKES - "CLICKING" NOISE FROM BRAKES WHILE APPLYING BRAKES
AFTER CHANGING VEHICLE DIRECTION
^ NOISE - "CLICKING" NOISE FROM BRAKES WHILE
APPLYING BRAKES AFTER CHANGING VEHICLE
DIRECTION
FORD:
1997-1999 ESCORT
1998-1999 ESCORT ZX2
LINCOLN-MERCURY:
1997-1999 TRACER
ISSUE
A "clicking" noise may be heard while applying the brakes after changing vehicle direction on some vehicles. This may be caused by excessive clearance between the caliper bracket and the inner brake pad.
ACTION
Install new guide plates to take up the clearance and reduce the possibility of noise. Refer to the following Service Procedure for details.
SERVICE PROCEDURE
1. Test vehicle by pulling forward and braking, then reversing and braking. The click-type noise will generally be heard when just beginning to apply the brake. The noise should be audible whether vehicle is warm or cold. The noise can be reproduced at parking lot-type speeds and may require to repeat reverse/forward cycle several times. Chassis ears with the lead attached to the steering knuckle close to the caliper can be of assistance in hearing the noise.
2. Lift vehicle and remove front wheels.
3. Insert feeler gauge between inner brake pad (steel part of pad) and steering knuckle, pushing the brake pad to the extreme side of the knuckle (Figure 1). Clearances should be 0.4-0.94 mm (0.016-0.037").
4. If the clearance is above 0.94 mm (0.037"):
a. Remove caliper and inspect for missing guide plates on steering knuckle ears (Figure 2).
b. If missing, install new guide plates, reassemble and re-measure. If the gap is above 0.7 mm (0.028"), go to Step 4c. If not, go to Step 5.
c. If both guide plates are present, follow Step 5.
5. If clearance is greater than 0.7 mm (0.028"):
a. Remove caliper.
b. Break all four (4) tabs off a new Guide Plate (F5CZ-2B164-AA) (Figure 3 and 4). Make sure to break the tabs off cleanly clear to the bottom of the bend relief holes. If break is not deep enough, the revised guide plate will not fit well into the mating guide plate.
c. Insert revised guide plate inside of another new guide plate and place on one ear of the steering knuckle (Figure 5). The outer guide plate tabs can be slightly bent inward to improve retention to the steering knuckle ears.
d. Install another new guide plate on the other ear of the steering knuckle. Step 5c above could be repeated here so long as the assembled dimension does not become less than 0.4 mm (0.016").
e. Remove inner brake pad and shims (Figure 6). Clean shims and mating surface of inner pad with approved brake cleaner.
f. Apply Silicone Brake Caliper Grease And Dielectric Compound (D7AZ-19A331-A or equivalent meeting Ford Specification ESE-M1C171-A) to the back of the inner brake pad (Figures 7 and 8). The amount of grease applied should cover the entire shim/inner pad interface but should not bleed out excessively when the shims are pressed to the back of the inner pad. The grease is only to be applied between the back of the inner pad and inner shim (has holes).
g. Reassemble caliper and inner pad/shims to vehicle.
h. Re-measure the gap between the inner pad and steering knuckle. This gap should not be less than 0.4 mm (O.O16").
6. Retest vehicle.
PART NUMBER PART NAME
F5CZ-2B164-AA Guide Plate
D7AZ-19A331-A Silicone Brake Caliper Grease And
Dielectric Compound
OTHER APPLICABLE ARTICLES: NONE
WARRANTY STATUS: Eligible Under The Provisions Of Bumper To Bumper Warranty Coverage
OPERATION DESCRIPTION TIME
99O81OA Perform Service Procedure 1.1 Hr.
DEALER CODING
CONDITION
BASIC PART NO. CODE
2B164 O7
OASIS CODES: 301000, 702000, 702100