[SD 05 STi]

I recently installed some Pagid Blues in order to prepare myself for my next event. However, I took the car out for a drive tonight, and started to hear something very strange. What I heard was a slight rubbing sound that is only relavent when the car is moving at low speeds, and when I am against a wall, or some sort of surface that can bounce the sound. It's not squealing by any means. It almost sounds like paper faintly rubbing along the rotor. It isn't consistent either; more like WOOSH WOOSH WOOSH (best way I can describe it) type sound.

And to note, it was cool and very moist outside tonight, and this is the first time I heard this. As compared to the past couple of nights where it has been dry; I didn't hear the noise.

Is it possible that the pads I installed could be constantly rubbing against the rotor even though I'm not on the brakes? I know the Blues are a bit noisy when actually applying the brakes, so is it possible this noise I'm hearing is coming from the pads? From what I remember, I never experienced this when using my Project-Mu BForce pads. But the BForce's weren't as noisy/squealy as the Pagids.

Thanks guys. Hopefully nothing is broken.

[SD 05 STi]

hrm... anyone?

[ESmooth]

Not uncommon at all. All rotors have some degree of runout which may cause some slight contact with the pads. Have you bed the system in yet? That may help to get everything seated properly.

[johnlude85]

this is completely normal. it is impossible for a brake caliper to fully release the pad from the rotor. they are always slightly rubbing. sounds like maybe you didnt replace the rotors? they may be slightly warped, but not enough to cause a problem. dont worry, all brakes make some sort of noise, even if its minimal.

and esmooth, if you meant bled (instead of "bed") then bleeding the brakes will have nothing to do with them makeing noise. if you had a spongy pedal, or if your pedal just didnt feel right, then maybe youd need to bleed them. even if you just drop in pads real quick (or even removing the caliper and rotor completely) youre not introducing air into the system. the only time you would need to bleed the brakes is if you removed the brake line from the caliper, or if you bring the pedal up to suck in air when the bleeder is open. other then that, you wouldnt need to bleed.

if you did infact mean "bed", then i have no clue what youre talking about lol.

[ESmooth]

I meant bed as in bed-in: http://www.stoptech.com/tech_info/wp_bedinstock.shtml

[Dos531]

Most pads rub slightly most of the time. Perhaps the different pad material just makes the sound more apparent. Either way i wouldnt worry about it too much.

[SWortham]

^ Right-o, it's normal for the pads to rub the rotor. 'Tis the nature of a floating caliper...
http://www.hayesdiscbrake.com/hayesu_product3.shtml

[SD 05 STi]

so if the pads are consistently rubbing, is it normal for them to make the sound i had described?

[SWortham]

Kinda, the only problem is that it sounds like you have a little rotor runout or uneven wear from what you described. It may not be much of a problem as long as you don't experience any odd vibration under braking.

[kessler89]

almost all cars brakes barely touch when driving, it keeps the rotors dry (rain) and cleaned off, if you just put pads on your car and they're really noisy i'm guessing you didn't have your rotors turned? you should have your rotors resurfaced when putting new pads on so they have a new area to bed on

[CGMDan]

Originally Posted by kessler89

you should have your rotors resurfaced when putting new pads on so they have a new area to bed on

No. If you read pretty much any pad mfrs bed in proceedure they say its best to bed them on used rotor.

This is from pagids website below....

BRAKE DISCS
If possible, pads should be bedded on used but NOT worn out brake discs.
Pagid brake pad material can be used either on solid, grooved or cross-drilled discs.
For disc bedding please refer to the disc manufacturers’ own instruction.

http://www.braketechnology.com/brakepadbedding.html

[SWortham]

Originally Posted by CGMDan

No. If you read pretty much any pad mfrs bed in proceedure they say its best to bed them on used rotor.

This is from pagids website below....

BRAKE DISCS
If possible, pads should be bedded on used but NOT worn out brake discs.
Pagid brake pad material can be used either on solid, grooved or cross-drilled discs.
For disc bedding please refer to the disc manufacturers’ own instruction.

http://www.braketechnology.com/brakepadbedding.html

Surely that's not what they meant.

Look at the next paragraph:

MOUNTING NEW PADS ON USED DISCS
Edges of pad surface should be filed roughly to 45 degrees to ensure that the pad carries fully and evenly and is not touching the edge of the disc.
Do not use discs, which are pre-bedded, or have been used with friction material other than PAGID

In other words you should have your rotors resurfaced before you install the new pads, if possible. Of course if there's not enough thickness to the rotor, then it's time for new rotors. That's how I interpret it.

It's just a guess, but their reason for recommending a used rotor may have something to do with various coatings found on some new rotors that do more harm than good with their pad compound.