(T) Noisey brake pads

Has anyone ever experienced rattling brake pads on there Stilo's?
I've had it from both of mine, it was very loud until my dealer applied some grease to the pads. You can't hear the noise outside the car anymore (which was very embarrasing), but i think they are still making some noise that you can hear inside the car. It makes the ride sound very noisey on rough surfaces and joints in concrete roads. It stops when I brake, and sometimes it stops altogether for days at a time. They also make a cluncking sound sometimes if I brake while travelling very slowly. My theory is that as the brakes wear down they move about more and make more noise (it started at about 12000 miles), and sometimes the brake pads get into a position were can't move and the car goes quiet. Has anybody else ever experienced anything like this before, and could my theory be possible? When this happened on my first Stilo, my local dealer tried allsorts of stuff to cure it but all to the suspension itself and not the brakes. And with the rear axle joining in aswell, it was the reason I got a new car. I have been thinking of taking the car in and having the front pads replaced, but it's an expensive way of doing fault diagnosis.
I'd like to hear any ideas or comments anyone might have.
Thanks. Pete Marshall


Dynamic 5door Steel grey.

Is there any difference to your braking when these noises occur?

Les Ross
Certified by a
Professional

I don't know whether it's my imagination, but the brakes seem slightly more effective when the car is having one of it's quiet periods.

If that's the case it could be sticking caliper pistons. Does there seem to be any more pedal travel when they are playing up? If the pistons are sticking then they wouldn't take up the play between pad and disc causing the noises you hear and giving more pedal travel.

Les Ross
Certified by a
Professional

yeah, could be. and it seems to be most noticable from the front nearside. thanks for that.