Ok guys ran into my first actual stumper two days ago. I recently installed new ceramic brakes onto my 2004 350z roadster. There were no issues and that was about 3 weeks ago and these are the non-brembo brakes just the standards. I heard a dragging noise the other night so i opted to wait until the morning to check it out. Took the wheel off and inspected because i figured it was just the heatshield dragging on the rotor. It wasnt..upon my inspection it appears the brake is touching the rotor slightly. i reinstalled the brakes and again same dragging noise. The caliper piston compressed without a problem so i dont see how it could be a sticking caliper and also there's no extra brake dust or heat after driving the Z on that side. Which this is the front passenger side im dealing with. I also checked the bearing absolutly no play in the hub. Also i notice the noise completely stops when i turn the wheel sharply. im stumped here and this dragging noise is pissing me off. Could my rotors need to be turned it kinda apperas the new thick brake pad is rubbing against the lip of the rotor but i have never seen that before.

 

Did you take the cap off of the master cylinder when you compressed your pistons back in?
edit: brake fluid reservoir not master cylinder

 

no i havent bled them and i didnt remove the cap today when i compressed the piston. do i need to bleed that caliper?

 

See step #16 (I haven't experienced what your issue is BTW, just sounds like your piston isn't fully retracting):
https://my350z.com/forum/brakes-and-...rake-pads.html

 

fluid looks good. its right along the max line. and i compressed the piston with no problems though i didnt have to compress it much as the pads are like brand new.

 

Did you do any of the following:

1) Take the brake lines loose when installing the pads?
2) Let the caliper hang from the brake line while installing?
3) Bed in the new pads after installation?
4) Compress the caliper while lines were still attached and reservoir cap not removed?

 

I did number 4 for sure

 

Are your rotors perfectly flat, no edges or groves from your old pads?

Parts stores will turn your rotors pretty cheap. I dont always do it when changing pads, but if the rotors are worn in by your old pads the new ones will not sit right on the rotor.

good luck

 

probably just need to get bedded in or, some cars make noise if the rotors are to thin.

 

Turning the rotors is always a good idea when doing new pads. Also, you need to bed them in properly.

I was going to say it could be pad knockback, but it sounds like the opposite of knockback. I'd bet it's a piston problem.

 

I called 3 dozen auto parts stores, brake repair places and mom and pop garages in my area and couldn't find a single one that was willing to turn my rotors. I don't get how everywhere else in the country, it's not a problem finding a place that will do that for you. I used to turn rotors all the time when I worked in a garage back in the 80's. Even in the 90's, no problem. This seems to be a recent issue.

Also, from what I've gathered, you're only saving a few bucks if you CAN find a place that will turn your rotors over what you'd pay for a new set, so you might as well buy new rotors. You can get them cheap on the web at the usual places.

RE: the scraping sound; that's pretty common for a new set of ceramic pads to do that for the first hundred miles or so. On some pad/rotor combos, it can take up to 300 miles before the dragging/scraping noise goes away. The key is to seat them according to manufacturer's spec (and they're ALL different, so pay attention when you're doing it). After a short while, they'll wear down a bit and will become quieter.

Bottom line: give it some time. If it comes down to rotors, check their thickness with a micrometer and their flatness with a gauge. If they need to be fixed, dump 'em and just buy new ones. I've had a lot of luck with Hawk Performance Ceramic Pads and Centric rotors (cryo if they have them). They rub for a few hundred miles, but then they're as quiet as a mouse and stick like glue. A lot of bang for the buck.

 

If you haven't done #3, you may want to check out this link: http://www.essexparts.com/learning-center/Bed-in