The last few days I've noticed that when I change directions from forward to reverse, I hear a couple of pops/snaps/clunks coming from the back of the car when I hit the brakes. If I continue backwards it doesn't happen again. Then when I move forward I'll hear it again the first time I hit the brakes. I only hear it the first time I apply brake pressure after changing directions.

Any clues?

 

I'm right there with you. I have always heard that this sound was pads setting into their spots in the calipers, though I don't know how true it is. I have heard it before in other vehicles, but not as loud as with my MINI.

Drew

 

The most likely candidate is pads shifting in the calipers. The pads are not fitted with zero clearance in the calipers (remember, their purpose in life is to grip the rotor... zero fit clearance would hinder the objective of gripping the rotor). So, the first time the stopping direction is changed (as in reverse from forward and vice-versa), you will hear (especially with the side windows down) a clunking sound as the pads shift position in the caliper ever so slightly. A test that you can do to confirm the pad noise is to drive forward and apply the brakes to bring the car to a stop. Then go in reverse and apply the brakes to bring the car to a stop. Hear the pads clunk? Immediately after braking to a stop going in reverse, go in reverse some more and apply the brakes again to bring the car to a stop. If no (or a dramatically reduced) clunk, then the noise is due to the pads shifting in the caliper.

 

Thats exactly what I thought it was, but I didn't want to confirm anything since it was just an educated guess on my end. Thanks.

Drew

 

Yep, I had that with my '05 and when I changed the rear pads it went away, for a while. Once the pads were down to about 50% left, I started hearing it again.

 

That's kinda what I thought as well but I turned to NAM for some more advice. Thanks for the feedback.

 

I just took delevery of my new '06 MCS. I have about 50 miles on it and notice the same thing. Is it normal or should i take it to my dealer?

thanks

todd.

 

It is normal from mile 0.

 

Yeah I just bought a 06 MCS 2weeks ago and it started making the popping noise the next day. I backed out and then pulled forwarded. I read another thread that the pads may be "bone dry" and the dealer lubed the brakes. I don't know what he meant by that.... Are there any solutions for this. You know it sucks explaining to people that this is normal when they here the noise. They look at you and think your car is crap.... By the way it's not

 

The lubing procedure typically applies grease (but not just any grease) to the back of the pads where the caliper piston contacts the back of the pad to quiet a squealing sound that sometimes occurs when the brakes are applied at speed. This is not the clunking sound that occurs when the pads shift in the calipers. You could try changing to different calipers (multi-piston ones such as Brembo); they typically have closer tolerances which tend to produce less of a clunking sound. But that will set you back somewere in the range of $2,000 to $3,000. Otherwise, you could just ignore the people that look at you and your car with the your car is crap look....

 

I've had the same sound since new (1/2005 build - 3/2005 delivery). It doesn't happen everyday, but I would say about 50% of the time.

Never thought it was anything too serious, but when I took it to the first service I had the service technicians check it out. They said they checked all the braking system and pads and everything looked normal, but I really don't trust them too much. Anyways, still have the sound to this day - 12K no problems. (except the annoying sound )

 

Got the same noise here too, nothing to worry about just turn up the radio.

 

Or, roll up the windows....

 

Sorry to inform you but, the correct answer is "this is normal".

 

I've got this noise on the new '06 we bought a month ago, but not on the '05 Cabrio. Weird. I'd been meaning to search or post about it, but this thread answers the question.

 

same sound here. In fact our old Acura MDX did it as well. A little louder as you would assume. Was normal there as well.

 

There may be a difference in dimensional tolerance that explains the reason for the noise on the '06 but not the '05. But in any event, as Rich B. posts, it is normal.

 

Good to know, as I have a stack of parts to go on the car and as you know, tracking down noises is hard enough when the car is bone stock.