Hello everyone, I noticed that my mk3 focus started to rattle on bumpy roads. I found out that it was the outer rear brake pads which were loose. I changed the pads hoping it would fix the problem but the noise is still there. Any suggestions? 

 

The retaining spring isn’t missing from the rear caliper is it?

 

10 hours ago, troy45 said:

The retaining spring isn’t missing from the rear caliper is it?

 

I don't seem to have any missing parts. Is it possible that this spring has gone bad? 

Are you sure it's coming from the pads? It would be hard to isolate that noise whilst driving.

I've actually driven a Focus without the spring fitted (botched pad change by a local garage) and it didn't make any noise.

Maybe something else is moving/loose from that quarter of the car.

You could stick the pads to the caliper if you're sure they're rattling.  Just use a bit of double sided tape on the back where it touches.

7 hours ago, RayC333 said:

Are you sure it's coming from the pads? It would be hard to isolate that noise whilst driving.

I've actually driven a Focus without the spring fitted (botched pad change by a local garage) and it didn't make any noise.

Maybe something else is moving/loose from that quarter of the car.

I might be wrong, but I'm able to wiggle the pads back and forth with a screwdriver. Another reason I think it's the pads is because the noise goes away when I apply even the slightest brake pressure. 

Ordinarily there is no clearance between the pads and discs. Reason being there is no mechanism to push the caliper piston back after braking. In such a situation it's hard to imagine a scenario where the pads have enough space to rattle.

However, if there is some distortion in the disc, the resultant runout/swash would open up a gap between the pads and that disc - which could potentially allow enough movement of the pads in the caliper.

Only way of checking that would be to use a dial gauge to measure any distortion. Alternatively you could just try replacing the disc.