[FRP215]

Hello.

I recently became the owner of an FRP, a couple of weeks ago, and all has been fine.

However, over the last couple of days I have had a quite loud rubbing noise (with a slight vibration feeling sometimes too) which is particuarly present when cornering to the left, although it is there to a degree in a straight line too. It does not appear to be present when turning right.

When turning left, it can happen at most speeds, but in a straight line often seems to disapear once at around 30mph or more.

I'm obviously concerned as to what it could be (wheen bearing?) or are there any common problems with this? N.B.: This is the first Puma / FRP I have owned.

Any suggestions would be greatly appriciated. Also, are there any garages people would recommend at all in the North Essex area (approx 20 mins drive north of Colchester), both to have this looked at as well as for servicing of FRPs in the future.


I may incidently jack it up in the morning and try wobbling the wheel about to see if anything feels loose at all. If it was a bearing, can they just be tightened, as they can on some vehicles, or do you need to replace them? - Or am I completely wrong in thinking it might be a bearing in the first place?!

One other thing - will it be safe in people's opinion to continue to drive it? I was going to take it to a body shop for a quote tomorrow to see about having some minor work done to make it A1, but I'm wondering if I ought to take it to get this looked at instead?


cheers.

[shinigami]

I had something that sounds similar to what you describe when turning to the left and I think it turned out to be brake hum and after a brake service and disc replacement I haven't heard a peep.

Does it sound like it could be the pads rubbing/humming against the disc?

[FRP215]

I had something that sounds similar to what you describe when turning to the left and I think it turned out to be brake hum and after a brake service and disc replacement I haven't heard a peep.

Does it sound like it could be the pads rubbing/humming against the disc?

Hi - Thank you for the reply.
Yes, a rubbing / humming sound is a pretty good description. I take it you would suggest I get this looked at? (Although I'm not totally sure where, where I live - I'm Sure it shouldn't go to just a regular garage should it...)

It is possible it just all needs cleaning / blowing out? The discs / pads have some wear, but still look good overall. do you think I should stop driving it untill looked at, or is it only anoying, but not actually dangerous / will do any harm?

Sorry for all the questions *LOL*

Thank you

[Dogsbody]

FRP's and brake noise...
The words sort of go together

If its a rubbing noise, It will proverbially be corrosion under one of the stainless steel guides.
This stops the pad releasing fully.


The Disks cost over £400 a pair and the callipers can be service exchange at around a eye watering £500 each

eldoodarino on this forum is the person to talk to. He does servicing for FRP owners.
Much cheaper.
Don't leave it too long as the disks will be worn by the pad contact all the time.

Unless you know a good garage or someone who is good with cars?
I did a picture by picture guide on the Racing Puma owners club site, when I serviced mine.
I had the same problems with noise.

You should join the Club anyway
http://frpoc.freeforums.org/portal.php
Graham

This post has been edited by Dogsbody: 26 September 2008 - 06:29 AM

[FRP215]

Hello and thanks for the reply.

I've joined the other forum as well as you have suggested


On the subjest of the breaks - I'll give eldoodarino a shout on here, but it does of course depend where he lives in relation to me, although I don't mid traveling a fair distance.

I've done a reasonable amount of work on cars myself in the past, but really wanted to not have to any more. I'll otherwise see if there is anywhere local that could take a look. That is unless anyone else here can recommned a good garage arounf or in the Colchester / Ipswich sort of area.

Cheers

This post has been edited by FRP215: 26 September 2008 - 10:10 AM

[YOG]

eldoodarino is in Nottingham, well worth the visit.

[eldoodarino]

Hiya Paul...

have a read here... this will give you a bit more info on the problem....

FRP brake hum/droning issue


Unfortunatly there is no 'one' solution that will DEFINATLY fix this problem.... just when i think iv'e really understood this problem...done a very thorough job on someones calipers AND changed the discs... owners still ocassionally report this problem....

it seems to me that you either get it because the calipers are really neglected and need stripping down and rebuilding properly or you just get it after a service has been done due to there being so muchroom in the calipers for pads to cause vibration issues in the caliper.... generally speaking, if you still get it after a caliper rebuild then it will usually go away again once they've had time to settle in properly.... it seems a bit of muck actually helps this...... the pads don't seem to settle very well after a service if you just don't use them much (ie motorway commuting) your better being on and off the brakes more frequently....

after saying all that, in your case.... i suspect a caliper inspection will be necessary....

iIn most cases a caliper service does the job... but if the discs are down to minimum thickness they will need to be changed too, to solve the problem....

and no, it's not dangerous.... one of the most annoying things about this problem is that you can quite often get it when the brakes are actually functioning VERY well....

Regards

Chris

ps...it's spooky just how many people iv had drive up from essex..

This post has been edited by eldoodarino: 26 September 2008 - 07:55 PM

[FRP215]

Cheers for the info - Have thread the other thread now about this issue generally too.

I went to a break specialist type garage today and they had a quick look - they span the wheels whilst it was jacked-up, and also felt for any looseness in the bearings to check for that too. N.B.: I took the mechanic out in the car with me, and he thought it was coming from the front nearside wheel.

The initial verdict was that there was nothing obviuosly wrong, but have the car booked in for Monday for them to give it a more thorough investigation. They have suggested that they may simply need to be stripped down to be cleaned etc, and are happy to do this, but will also look for anything more.

From what you have said in the post all about this (and I will be taking a hard-copy of it with me to show the garage on monday), it might be a case of checking to make sure shims are behind the pads (in-bettween the calipers and the pistons?), and then copper-slipping both sides of them before re-assembling them (Let me know if I'm way off in my interpretation of what you are saying here)

I'll let you know what happens...


One other question - am I correct in the the min thinkness for disc is 26mm ? (I'm sure I heard this somewhere...)

This post has been edited by happy-kat: 27 September 2008 - 09:07 AM
Reason for edit: mod edit: repeated quote removed

[eldoodarino]

25mm was stamped on my discs bu Alcon...however, they usually cause issues around 26 and cost of skimming etc usually dictates a change around 26....

mine are at 26.5 at the moment and are suffering this droning issue too, even tho the calipers are working 100%.... in my case it's because pads and discs will need replacing soon.... i'm just being stingy and getting a few more miles out of them so i can replace them next season...

I can't quite work out what your going to do with the copper grease...if your applying it to the back of the pads, use it sparingly...slapping loads on won't help any more.... if the calipers are being FULLY stripped with the pad retaining rails removed ...this is a good place to apply a little too....

see other sticky threads...

Regards

Chris

[FRP215]

25mm was stamped on my discs bu Alcon...however, they usually cause issues around 26 and cost of skimming etc usually dictates a change around 26....

mine are at 26.5 at the moment and are suffering this droning issue too, even tho the calipers are working 100%.... in my case it's because pads and discs will need replacing soon.... i'm just being stingy and getting a few more miles out of them so i can replace them next season...

I can't quite work out what your going to do with the copper grease...if your applying it to the back of the pads, use it sparingly...slapping loads on won't help any more.... if the calipers are being FULLY stripped with the pad retaining rails removed ...this is a good place to apply a little too....

see other sticky threads...

Regards

Chris

Cheers for the further info - just asked you this via message - sorry
will see what comes of it all.....