ANNOYING SOUND #2: CLANK CLANK CLANK - LOOSE ITEMS IN THE TRUNK SOUND
This is the second sound that I observed after many months of ownership of the GT-R.
To re-create this sound, repeat the same procedure as above at the back of building i.e. windows down, ~5-10mph in Manual Mode - Gear 2, except go over as many bumps as possible in a straight line this time around.
Now while going over the same bumps, apply slight brake pressure. With pressure to the brakes, you should notice that the clanking sound is completely eliminated while on the brakes. If you were listening for something else, repeat the procedure and identify the the sound that is eliminated by pressing the brakes. This is it.
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| Rear Brake Pad Cross Spring Comparisons |
The sound have just identified is the sound of the actual brake pads bouncing up and down in the calipers. This sound originates from both the front and the rear brake pads. It becomes more apparent with time as the brake pads are used and wear down since they now have slightly more room to bounce up and down in the caliper. Applying the brakes, presses the pads against the rotor and prevents them from clanking up and down.
There is simply permanent NO FIX for this. To slightly reduce the sounds, one can use two cross spring clips in the front, which does reduce the chatter. On the rear, the cross spring can be slightly bent to add more force to the pads, thus holding them tighter. I have done both of these and it lasts temporarily as the cross springs always revert back to their original shape after a few days as they are tempered..
Nothing should be done to modify the pads temselves, such as adding shims to any surface of the pads i.e. top, bottom or outer. Brakes are an important safety component should not be modified. Safety is more important than this noise, in my opinion.
Nissan has changed the rear cross springs across the various year models of the GT-R for a total of 3 different parts. The original USMY2009 and USMY2010 Model year had rear cross springs that applied lateral counter force to the pads against braking force in addition to the perpendicular force to "quieten" the pads. These were the quietest by far as they reduced the clacking sound the most. I had previously reshaped them to quieten the pads.
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| 2009 Rear Cross Spring |
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| 2009 GTR Rear Caliper with Cross Spring |
In later year models, the rear spring clips were modified to apply only perpendicular force to the pads and no lateral counter-force to braking as Nissan must have found that the rear original spring reduced rear effective braking force. Unfortunately, not only are the newer type of rear spring clips much harder to remove and install, they also considerably leave the rear pads to make the most amount of noise. The latest one ('13+) looks like the '11 but has a slightly different shape and are yet again even louder.
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| Rear Brake Pad Cross Spring Comparisons |
Even though I have a set of the original '09 spring clips, and '11 spring clips, I run the latest part number from the '13, as I would rather have more braking power and deal with the clank clank clank noise. One can successfully bend the fins of the cross springs slightly towards the pad to increase the force, this will stop the rattle but in my opinion will reduce the rear braking force.
For those that want to upgrade to the 2013 for additional braking but noisier setup the Nissan part number is 44090-JF20B and they run about $2.50 a piece.
For those that want to upgrade to the 2013 for additional braking but noisier setup the Nissan part number is 44090-JF20B and they run about $2.50 a piece.
