Miata Mailing List: April 1996, Message #100
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   From: JOHN SEIGNER 
Subject: Brake/Suspension Noise
   Date: Mon, 1 Apr 1996 23:23:00 -0500

The clicking sound from the front brakes when they are first applied is =
caused by the pads literally moving in the calipers.  When the clips on =
either end of the pads get tired, the pads drop down in the caliper.  =
When you apply the brakes the disc jams the pads rapidly against the top =
of the caliper causing the noise.  You can check this by getting under =
the car and checking if the pads move in the calipers. =20

Of course if you buy new pads from Mazda you get new clips, but not with =
after market pads so you must reuse the old ones.  They can be reshaped =
to hold the new pads firmly but will eventually wear out. =20

A rattling sound from the front wheels on while turning, which =
disappears when the brakes are touched, is caused by the pads hitting =
against the discs.  The V shaped wire springs (W shaped at the back)  =
that fit between the two pads in small holes on the edges will keep the =
pads from rattling.  If you have lost the origninals a new set can be =
made using piano wire and some pliers.

Again a set of new pads from Mazda will have the springs included.  I've =
changed by pads many times and it kills me to pay two to three times as =
much for the OEM pads but sooner or later the old clips just pack it in. =
=20

John Seigner
Banff, Alberta, Can