Hello everyone. As mentioned, my bakes on the drivers side were making a grinding noise the other day. After I got home from work I took the caliper off and noticed the pads were worn on the front/outer side. Also the caliper boot had a slight tear. So I bought new pads and a new caliper. I replaced all and the passenger side. The pads only on the passenger side, which looked much better than the drivers side. Then took it for a test drive. The drivers side is still making a clunk noise along now with a chirping noise. It's not a grinding like before, but a definite clunk. Why would the brake pad still be sticking if indeed that's what it is? Thanks for any response.

 

My guess would be an out of round rotor or maybe some dirt/rust got between the rotor and the hub.

I myself would have also replaced the rotors with the other parts.

 

I agree with Lucky! However you state that the drivers side is still making a clunk noise, indicating the clunk was there before, so it could also be a LCA rear bushing , frt sway bar bushing or end link , or ball joint, just to guide you to what to look at.

 

The front brakes on HHRs are infamous for problems.

As most have done, I replaced the front pads and rotors with completely aftermarket parts. I didn't go overboard, just some higher quality rotors and ceramic pads from Auto Zone. (No problems since then)

(A note here, if you are having your breaks checked by a service garage, be sure they're reputable. I took mine in for tires at Tires Plus, and their "courtesy check" said that the discs were fine, and the pads were still 50%. Not true. I did my own check, The pads were completely unevenly worn, and the rotors were warped and had deep grooves.)

In reference to the sticking breaks: When I was replacing the rotors and pads I noticed that the piston on the calipers was not functioning optimally. Surprisingly, the quick and effective fix for this was greasing the pistons, they now move smoothly. As a result, the car breaks EXTREMELY well now. Straight and true.

As far as the squeaking, it's a common practice to apply copper grease to the pads. If you didn't do this, that could be a definite cause of your "chirp." My other thought would be that one or more of the pads may be slightly off in its positioning.

The clunk? Well, we all know that bushings in the front of these things perish. In winter, my car creaks and clunks like no other. The first winter I had it, I thought my front end was going to self destruct. In my case, the creaking goes away when the weather goes above sub freezing temps, but the clunk persists in warm weather. Really, the only fix for this is replacing the bushings.

This all being said, there is always that risk of a suspension part at risk for failure. It's worth checking to make sure they are all okay. Better to be safe than sorry.

Just my two cents.

 

the copper grease is applied to the back of the pads?

 

The clunk is not the brakes, more likely LCA or sway bar parts. Always replace pads on both sides at the same time to save yourself future grief, it does not cost any more or less.

Chirping probably due to screecher installed improperly.

 

Ah, most definitely. Apply it to the front of the brake material, only if you do not wish to stop.

 

Thank you guys for the replies. I really appreciate it. My I ask what you greased the pistons with? Was it just regular brake grease? Thanks again.

 

Clean piston and bores well - and use brake cleaner to remove all traces of grease/dirt. Lube only with fresh clean, unused brake fluid.

 

To be honest, I didn't specifically use break grease. I used axle grease. It works well and lasts a long time. It might be a bit thick in viscosity, but it's never had a negative effect.