Help with rotational rubbing sound after brake job...?

[Tongster]

I noticed just before replacing the worn front rotors and pads that there was a rotational rubbing sound when traveling 30-35MPH. I thought it was maybe the rotors being warped.

So, I thought by replacing the front rotors (ATE) and pads (Mintex) that the sound would go away, but it's still there.

I've notice that new pads installed from MB has chamfered ends. Is this the solution to my problems? Any help is much appreciated.

BTW, my car is a 99' ML 320.

[rudeney]

Can you reproduce the sound by rotating the wheels by hand? Can you determine which wheel is producing the sound? My guess is that cine you have changed the pads and rotors that it’s not in the brakes. It could be an axle or even the differential, driveshaft or transfer case, or it could be something rubbing against a tire (loose trim?).

As for the chamfering of the pads, that’s a fairly common design to help cut down on noise and to make the break-in period a bit easier. I’ve actually used a sander to chamfer pads that weren’t made this way when I found them to be a little noisy.

[Tongster]

Hmmm, I've heard that trying to turn the wheels by hand is not good for the diff. or something like that.
I'll need more info on whether that is ok to do or not.

I'm gonna take the wheels off this weekend and check for any foreign substance and go from there.

Thanks.

[rudeney]

Tongster - 8/18/2005 1:30 PM

Hmmm, I've heard that trying to turn the wheels by hand is not good for the diff. or something like that.

I’ve never heard that before! I guess it could be undesirable on a limited-slip or Positraction differential, but I don’t see it as a problem given that the ML uses three “open� differentials. Maybe some of the others have more information on that. Besides, I’m not talking about doing this for any length of time. You’d want to spin each wheel long enough to isolate the sound (assuming it’s reproducible that way).

[Noodles]

Rotating by hand one wheel at a time will not hurt the diffs at all.

[pcy]

Rubbing noise.... replaced pads and rotors....
Caliper may be sticking (i.e., the piston in the caliper may not be releasing).