Rear brake pad shims? Will they cure my rattle?

[spaceprobe]

Hi all,

Focus Mk2, 1.8 TDCi Ghia (How do I know if I might have a Mk2.5?)

Got an awful dull metallic rattling from the rear drivers side, seems to go away when I brake, doesn't occur with large bumps - mostly just on rough or uneven surfaces, VERY audible from outside the car (people on the street turn to look - embarrassing!).

I've secured the heat sheilding and it's not the exhaust - seems to come from the wheel area. I suspect caliper or brake pad rattle, although I can't move anything with my hand when the wheel is off.

Couple of questions...

Anyone had and solved something similar?

Could it be shock absorber or top mount (ex-Ford tech suggested this)?

Should my brake pads have anti-rattle shims? Doesn't have them at the moment (I've disassembled the caliper, cleaned, greased and refitted - no difference, or seems to be getting worse.) Do I need these shims, pic attached (or something similar).

The caliper retainer spring/clip thinggies were seized in and I suspect the last time the brake pads were replaced (not by me) it was just bent out of the way and bent back again afterwards. Should I replace the spring clips - could it be that?

Any help and advice gratefully received.

Sam.

[spaceprobe]

Hi all,

Update on this topic in case it helps anyone in future.

VERY very loud rattle from rear wheel area was cured by replacing the caliper guide pins and rubber boots/bushes.

Bought and fitted a "Brake Accessory Kit" by Pagid (£20-ish, see pics). It comprises 4 off the following:

• caliper guide pins
• rubber boots/bushes
• caps to close up the ends of the rubber boots

and 2 off sachets of white high temp grease 

Quite easy, you need a 7mm Allen key to get the old pins out and a 40T torx to put the new ones in.

The old pins were very probably perfectly good, but I replaced them any way. The old rubber boot/bushes were the issue - not doing their jobs because they were hard and powdery. They were a bit difficult to get out but I just went at them with a screwdriver, trying not to damage the bore they sit in. Cleaned up the bores and general area and the new ones popped in quite easily after I lubed them up with a tiny bit of the white grease.

Head-turning rattle gone.

Replacing the carrier retainer springs (previous post), cured a lot of the rattle, so a combination of good retainer springs and good condition rubber/bushes and guide pins is what it needed.

[bekanMAN]

Thank you so much man! Glad to see someone follow up on what they have done!