I have a slightly dragging brake caliper that seems to be intermittent. It doesn't always seem to drag, only occasionally. If I do high frequency steering inputs (quickly turn the steering wheel left and right) it seems to shake it loose and stop dragging. It doesn't drag enough to slow the car, I only notice it because I'm running Carbotech pads and I can hear it. Any ideas what to check? I put in the new pads Sunday and noticed the sound Monday when going to class. I think it's coming from the front, though I'm not sure which side.

 

Hmm, are the brakes hot or even warm when you hear the noise? It's not uncommon to hear a little noise when the brakes are cold, or if the car has been sitting for a day or two, but hot is not so good. Has it been very wet where you motor, could be just some surface rust on the rotors?

If the noise is there when hot or warm, then you have some playing to do. You might need to get someone else to stand next to the MINI so they can listen for the sound. If you find the one dragging, try reseating the caliper and pads to see if that helps. Could be too that your pads are just getting very worn and not sitting quite right in the caliper.

 

"I put in the new pads Sunday and noticed ...."

The pads are not "pulled" away from the surface of the disks when you release the brakes so the sound you hear COULD simply be the new (hard) pad still getting mated to the rotor, cuz they "always" drag a teenie bit, especially since you don't say that you changed rotors or had them turned which means there R old grooves there.

It is also possible that one of the pads is catching (aka not sitting right in the caliber ) which is why I always inspect the places the pads will mate with the caliber for "flash" and apply a little judicious filing of ruff areas as well as the (controlled) application of lube.

If the sound is mild and there's not vibration during braking I'd give it a few days...but if it continues I'd get in there and look for a pad that seems to be getting hotter than the others....

We R talking a GEN1???? I'd also check that the clips on the rear pads properly seated in the grooves in the caliber pistons, cuz the little retraction that DOES occur WON'T if the clips are not engaged.

 

They don't seem to do it when they're very cold (car's been sitting for a while) but after driving they make more noise. I haven't had a chance to really heat up the pads yet so I don't know if they do it when hot. It hasn't rained here in a few days, so there's almost no rust on the rotors.

Forgot to mention that; new rotors as well. I haven't had a chance to properly bed them in yet, so that may be it as well. I'm planning to bed them in tonight or tomorrow.

I remember engaging the clips on the left-rear caliper so I know that one is engaged; I don't remember if I did on the right-rear. I'll check that this weekend when I have time off during daylight

If the noise doesn't go away before Saturday I'll probably end up checking all four corners to ensure every thing's seated correctly.