The back story: while restoring the Coronet a few years ago I converted the from drums to disc using The Right Stuff's kit, upgraded to the "big" rotors, slotted and drilled. Changed out the m/c and booster, new prop valve, new brake lines throughout. Driven about 2,000 miles since.
The car stops on a dime and gives $.05 change. Nice pedal, doesn't pull to either side whether slowing down or panic stop. No issues, except....
When slowing down, coming to a stale red light for instance, there's a slight moaning coming from the drivers side wheel (I know, insert pun here ______). Hit the brake hard, and the sound goes away. It's not a grinding sound, more like effort is being applied and the brake/front wheel is complaining. (Hard to explain).
Took both front wheels off. Checked all the castle nuts on the suspension; they have cotter pins installed so they're not going anywhere. The rotor is steady when force is applied so I believe the wheel bearings are OK (should be-they're brand new like everything else). Caliper mounting brackets are tight.
But, the drivers side rotor spins noticeably easier than the passengers side. The drivers side has some resistance which is expected; the passengers side seems a little too tight. Pulled off the calipers and checked the pads-see the pic.
The passenger side outside pad has an irregular wear mark. The other three pads show even wear.
- So, could the rotor, even though new, be out of round? I don't have a dial gauge to check.
- Maybe the pad needs more miles to bed in?
- If the passenger side is tighter, needs less effort to compress onto the rotor, could that be causing stress on the driver's side causing the sound? Again, no pulling at all during braking.
- Anything else I should check out?
Pic of the passenger rotor for context. The discoloration at the top of the rotor is just a shadow from the fender overhang.
The car stops on a dime and gives $.05 change. Nice pedal, doesn't pull to either side whether slowing down or panic stop. No issues, except....
When slowing down, coming to a stale red light for instance, there's a slight moaning coming from the drivers side wheel (I know, insert pun here ______). Hit the brake hard, and the sound goes away. It's not a grinding sound, more like effort is being applied and the brake/front wheel is complaining. (Hard to explain).
Took both front wheels off. Checked all the castle nuts on the suspension; they have cotter pins installed so they're not going anywhere. The rotor is steady when force is applied so I believe the wheel bearings are OK (should be-they're brand new like everything else). Caliper mounting brackets are tight.
But, the drivers side rotor spins noticeably easier than the passengers side. The drivers side has some resistance which is expected; the passengers side seems a little too tight. Pulled off the calipers and checked the pads-see the pic.
The passenger side outside pad has an irregular wear mark. The other three pads show even wear.
- So, could the rotor, even though new, be out of round? I don't have a dial gauge to check.
- Maybe the pad needs more miles to bed in?
- If the passenger side is tighter, needs less effort to compress onto the rotor, could that be causing stress on the driver's side causing the sound? Again, no pulling at all during braking.
- Anything else I should check out?
Pic of the passenger rotor for context. The discoloration at the top of the rotor is just a shadow from the fender overhang.