Notices
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Early Eighties Bullnose Ford Truck

Rattling...brakes?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 12, 2008 | 04:33 PM
  #1  
jck_strw's Avatar
jck_strw
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
Rattling...brakes?

Hi

I have a super-mega-annoying rattle coming from my truck. I can't find the damn thing, but I suspect it's related to my brakes in some fashion.

I live in the mountains and when I drive down, I rarely use my brakes (just backing off the gas is enough for most of the ride). However, sometimes driving down, I do need to use my brakes and that's when the noise starts. After the first time I use the brakes, I get this rattle. It goes in time with the wheels turning, so when I drive slow, it's a slow metal-on-metal sound. Driving faster makes the sound go faster. I usually envision the old playing-card-in-the-spokes thing way back when on bicycles. When I depress my brake, even just the slightest amount, the sound goes away. Rarely, the sound will just magically go away for a bit, but then the first time I really use the brakes, the sound comes back.

It's driving me nuts. Anyone have a suggestion? Thanks.

Jim
 
Reply
Old Nov 12, 2008 | 06:24 PM
  #2  
ri_truck_guy's Avatar
ri_truck_guy
Posting Guru
20 Year Member
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,091
Likes: 3
From: Suffolk, VA USA
Club FTE Gold Member
What model truck? Two or four wheel drive? Does it sound like its coming from the front or rear? If from the front it could be a bad wheel bearing, a broken brake pad, or your anti-rattle clips are missing or bad. From the rear, I'd pull the drums and see if all the pieces are still connected.
 
Reply
Old Nov 13, 2008 | 10:42 AM
  #3  
Franklin2's Avatar
Franklin2
Moderator
25 Year Member
Photogenic
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,984
Likes: 2,738
From: Virginia
Club FTE Gold Member
You need to jack it up, pull the wheels off, and have a look. It could be worn pads, the little spring missing behind the caliper retainer, etc.
 
Reply
Old Nov 13, 2008 | 11:59 AM
  #4  
ri_truck_guy's Avatar
ri_truck_guy
Posting Guru
20 Year Member
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,091
Likes: 3
From: Suffolk, VA USA
Club FTE Gold Member
OK....now I see the signature line (I actually did look for it), ignore my first two questions. But the rest are still pertinent. When it starts to make the noise again, have somebody drive by you and apply the brakes. I've found that being outside the truck can help you isolate noises. Also, watch the wheels for unusual movements when the brakes are applied.
 
Reply
Old Nov 13, 2008 | 08:10 PM
  #5  
bigcountry1009's Avatar
bigcountry1009
Tuned
20 Year Member
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 371
Likes: 16
From: Upstate SC
My 84 did it. The little ears on the brake pads that hook over the caliper were loose. It allowed the pads to skip along the rotor while I wasn't breaking. I think there is supposed to be some sort of spring or a set of caps to alleviate the situation, but they were gone this time. I just took a hammer and gently bent the tabs in to make them fit tighter on the caliper. Worked for me, rattle is gone.
 
Reply
Old Nov 13, 2008 | 08:14 PM
  #6  
ri_truck_guy's Avatar
ri_truck_guy
Posting Guru
20 Year Member
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,091
Likes: 3
From: Suffolk, VA USA
Club FTE Gold Member
They're called anti-rattle clips.
 
Reply
Old Nov 18, 2008 | 12:02 AM
  #7  
jck_strw's Avatar
jck_strw
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
Yes, it was the anti-rattle clip. Thanks for the pointer!

Jim
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Connecticut Calvin
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
29
Jul 15, 2016 09:10 PM
JohnyWalker
Excursion - King of SUVs
5
Jun 10, 2016 05:54 PM
Danny78Brown
1994.5 - 1997 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
10
Sep 24, 2015 02:38 PM
dogshack
2004 - 2008 F150
2
Oct 15, 2014 12:14 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:46 PM.

story-0
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-4
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-6
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-7
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-8
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE