Rattling Disc pads

Aug 23, 2025 Last reply: 10 months ago 2 Replies

My 1998 F150 has a rattling noise at low speeds from the pads/caliper on the drivers side.



I had the wheel off and the caliper has some play when u move it by hand but I am told thats normal. The 2 bolts were tight but I loosened them and retightned them anyway, but the noise still is there.



I had Monro muffler and brake look at it, he said the pads need some grease on the ends where they sit against the caliper. He pointed to the area and to me it looked like there were no anti rattle clips in there at all, but he didnt mention that, applied the grease and test drove it and said there was no noise.



About 1 mile after that, the rattle came back but definately not as bad.



Saw a video that says there is 1 big clip under the main caliper housing that I guess is suppose to giude the pads, but to me I cant see that clip when I look on the opening on the caliper.



I would think he would have said clips are missing if it was that obvious, then again I dont know the skill level of this mechanic.



When you apply the brake pedal slightly the noise is gone, so must be the clips?


Right. the clips shown here:

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keep the pads from randomly rubbing and rattling.

Thanks, I bought that entire kit and it will cover both front wheels.

As I drove home, that wheel sounded like the wheel bearing was acting up.

The Truck sat 12 yrs in a used car dealer lot, so I doubt he took the time to check the wheel bearing grease and its almost all dried out.

So I will have to I guess check the bearing by pulling off the rotor, which I think has the hub attached to it, not sure.

I think this 1998 design uses inner and outer wheel bearings, not the permanent sealed bearings the newer ones use.

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