I'd bet the tensioner spring isn't on correctly. It is easy enough to find out. Just pull the wheel and if one side of the spring is protruding through the gap in the caliper then that's where the problem is. It happened when I replaced the OEM pads with PBRs and was an easy fix.

 

It's #1.
The tension springs look like rabbit ears. Both "ears" have to be covered or pressed down as the caliper lines up with the bolt holes. It's an easy DIY fix. I'd let the Indy shop know they aren't up to speed on the proper install though.

 

It's #1.
The tension springs look like rabbit ears. Both "ears" have to be covered or pressed down as the caliper lines up with the bolt holes. It's an easy DIY fix. I'd let the Indy shop know they aren't up to speed on the proper install though.

I assume these springs are physically attached to the pads, correct? IOW, they aren't something that would fall off or could be removed. I read in one post that they could be installed backwards, but am having trouble visualizing that.

And I'm guessing that as the caliper is reinstalled, the "ears" in effect spread out, thus providing necessary tension. It's just if one of the "ears" happens to go into the caliper "peep hole" by mistake, that's the problem. Am I right, or are there other ways to screw up the springs?

Also, I'm assuming that the noise is just a nuisance; i.e. it's not a safety issue or will not cause unnecessary or premature wear of brake parts, correct?

Thanks again for the help.

 

I assume these springs are physically attached to the pads, correct? IOW, they aren't something that would fall off or could be removed. I read in one post that they could be installed backwards, but am having trouble visualizing that.

And I'm guessing that as the caliper is reinstalled, the "ears" in effect spread out, thus providing necessary tension. It's just if one of the "ears" happens to go into the caliper "peep hole" by mistake, that's the problem. Am I right, or are there other ways to screw up the springs?

Also, I'm assuming that the noise is just a nuisance; i.e. it's not a safety issue or will not cause unnecessary or premature wear of brake parts, correct?

Thanks again for the help.

You're right, they are attached to the pad, but I couldn't imagine anyone would want to drive the car without getting it taken care of. Passats are built to be smooth AND quiet. A car that rattles is worse than ants at a picnic.:thumbup:

 

Did you apply blue lock-tite to the caliper bolts? It's possible (don't ask me how I know ) that one or both the bolts could be loose. You'll get a rattle - I did. Luckily, it was easy to discover I didn't apply lock-tite to one bolt - the bolt was finger-loose when I took the wheel off. Still don't know how I missed it. Won't make that mistake again!

 

Did you apply blue lock-tite to the caliper bolts? It's possible (don't ask me how I know ) that one or both the bolts could be loose. You'll get a rattle - I did. Luckily, it was easy to discover I didn't apply lock-tite to one bolt - the bolt was finger-loose when I took the wheel off. Still don't know how I missed it. Won't make that mistake again!

Indy installed the pads and rotors, so not sure about the lock-tite.

 

You're right, they are attached to the pad, but I couldn't imagine anyone would want to drive the car without getting it taken care of. Passats are built to be smooth AND quiet. A car that rattles is worse than ants at a picnic.:thumbup:

Oh, make no mistake, I'll get it taken care of - it's the wife's car and I don't want to hear about it forever!

I'm just trying to ascertain the seriousness - from all indications it is just a nuisance and not a safety issue, so doesn't have to be done tomorrow if that is indeed the case.

 

Oh, make no mistake, I'll get it taken care of - it's the wife's car and I don't want to hear about it forever!

I'm just trying to ascertain the seriousness - from all indications it is just a nuisance and not a safety issue, so doesn't have to be done tomorrow if that is indeed the case.

If my guess is correct, it will become a safety issue, especially if both bolts are loose on the same caliper.

 

If my guess is correct, it will become a safety issue, especially if both bolts are loose on the same caliper.

Agreed, but if both bolts were loose wouldnt it rattle pretty much all the time? As I indicated, it won't rattle with the brakes lightly applied, which according to what people tell me is probably pointing toward the pads (springs).

I'll pull the wheel again tonite and take a closer look at those bolts you mentioned. I did that the other day and saw nothing obvious. I noticed what appeared to be locktite or similar on the wheel lugs, so am guessing if the Indy did that he would have used it on the caliper bolts too, but just a guess.

I just don't have the necessary equipment to try and fix this properly and safely myself (no jack stands, caliper retract tool, etc.). And I don't want to do any real work on that puny spare tire jack for obvious reasons. That's why I got an Indy to do the brake job in the first place.

Thanks for your response.

 

I noticed what appeared to be locktite or similar on the wheel lugs, so am guessing if the Indy did that he would have used it on the caliper bolts too, but just a guess.

Thanks for your response.

I hope they didn't put loctite on your wheel lugs! Maybe anti-sieze?

 

I hope they didn't put loctite on your wheel lugs! Maybe anti-sieze?

Could be, it's a white substance. I had no problem getting the wheel off, just don't recall seeing that white stuff on the lug bolts prior to the Indy brake job, so assume he added it.

As you can tell by my questions, this particular subject is kind of new to me, so I appreciate your patience. I'm just trying to learn as much as I can.

Thanks.

 

Wait a minute. I thought he said it was a rear brake issue. I don't remember seeing any springs on the back. They are only on the front.:crazy:

 

Tom,

I thought the same exact thing. The fronts have those caliper springs, but the rears indeed have those integrated rabbit ears on the pads themselves. At least, that's what I've discerned from the posts.

 

I've replaced them many times and there is no spring in the rear.

 

Wait a minute. I thought he said it was a rear brake issue. I don't remember seeing any springs on the back. They are only on the front.:crazy:

Tom, it's got springs on the rear. Looks like Maxndadday and W84mo are right on. Had a few minutes before work,so decided to pull the left rear wheel and have another look, now that you guys have educated me a little more and I have some idea what I'm looking for. Low and behold, one of those "rabbit ear" springs is poking out thru the caliper hole, just like was suggested. It is the upper rabbit ear (highest from the ground IOW). Obviously, I could take it back to the Indy and get him to fix it, but this looks pretty easy so I wanted to check with you guys one more time and maybe learn a little more in the process.

My tools (and skills) are limited - no caliper retract tool for instance and don't even know if I need one to get that spring back in place. Here's my idea:

Can I LOOSEN the lower caliper bolt, then REMOVE the upper caliper bolt, so the caliper will "swing back" far enough so I can push that spring up (with a screwdriver for ex.) and out of the caliper hole and back into position? I'm guessing if I remove both bolts and pull the caliper off, I'll need a retract tool to get it back on. Please inform if this is the case, or if my idea is stupid.

I'm trying to avoid going to AZ and getting the tool - would probably be just as quick and closer to go back to the Indy and make him correct his error.

Thanks again for all the help.

 

I've replaced them many times and there is no spring in the rear.

I can see the built in "rabbit ear" springs on the rear. Perhaps you are referring to the separate tensioner spring that only resides on the front, from what I've learned.

Thanks.

 

Now I see what you were talking about. It's those tiny little springs on the pads. I thought you were referring to the spring clamp that is attached to the caliper (in the front) that keeps the outer pad from chattering.

 

Now I see what you were talking about. It's those tiny little springs on the pads. I thought you were referring to the spring clamp that is attached to the caliper (in the front) that keeps the outer pad from chattering.

Bingo. Since you've done this many times, is there an easy fix that a neophyte like me can do? Please reference my earlier post for my idea on how to fix.

And thank you again.

 

I had the same metallic rattle when going over uneven pavement in the rear right of my Passat. I removed the caliper, removed the pad, reapplied brake-quiet and re-installed the entire assembly. Noise went away even though I did the same thing as when I did it the 1st time.