• Mustang Forums
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech

Cobra Brake Problem

  • Thread starter Thread starter Flghtmstr1
  • Start date Start date Jul 22, 2008

Flghtmstr1

Member
Mar 31, 2005
572
4
19
Springfield, PA
Jul 22, 2008
#1
  • Jul 22, 2008
  • #1
Hi everyone, I've had Cobra brakes on my car for ~10k miles now, and since I bought the kit used and was using the existing rotors and pads, they wore out. I just bought OEM Brembo rotors and Hawk HPS pads, and put them on.

When I took my car out to bed the pads, I noticed a disconcerting knocking / clicking sound that varies in frequency with vehicle speed while the brakes are applied. If I brake lightly, there is no sound or anything, but if I increase pedal pressure, the sound will appear and continue to intensify the harder I push.

I ripped the brakes back off and checked the rotors, thinking they might be bad. The run-out was 1-2 thousandths depending on where I checked on the rotor surface. The rest of the system looked fine. The pedal firmness is great, the car stops great, but this knocking seems very wrong. I'm scared to drive the car, but it's the only one I own, so I don't have a choice. I drove it to work this morning, and the problem was still there. Is there anything I may have overlooked? I've been doing tons of searching on this forum, but haven't found anything that sounds like the problem I'm having.

Thanks!
 

02nightmaregt

To hell with your Mustang, I want to see your HOG!
Jul 1, 2007
513
4
19
Southern Indiana
Jul 22, 2008
#2
  • Jul 22, 2008
  • #2
I've had some crazy break problems too and hell yea they're scary. does it pull either way when you break?
 

blacksheep-1

Member
Oct 21, 2006
322
4
18
Jul 22, 2008
#3
  • Jul 22, 2008
  • #3
I hope I can help here. I've run the Hawk pads on a race car and they seem to need a little "breaking in" plus it needs to be done correctly or you will have problems, especially with the race pads. The runout you mentioned might be part of the problem, but are you sure that you replaced all of the "anti rattle" brackets? (the little metal tabs and stuff). If you don't get those on, and straight, they can cause problems. This would explain the knocking sound.
1 more thing, maybe the new rotors aren't indexing properly on the spindle, recheck those and retorque the wheels and see what happens.
 

waggs

New Member
Jul 3, 2008
24
0
1
arizona
Jul 23, 2008
#4
  • Jul 23, 2008
  • #4
i'm having the exact same issue with my bullitt brakes that i installed this weekend. my guess right now is that the rotors are warped a little. i'm gonna get them turned this weekend so hopefully that fixes the problem
 

Flghtmstr1

Member
Mar 31, 2005
572
4
19
Springfield, PA
Jul 23, 2008
#5
  • Jul 23, 2008
  • #5
I don't think it's the rotors. That's why I mentioned their run-out. One-thousandth of an inch is approximately .025 millimeters. Spec is .1 millimeters and under.
 

Flghtmstr1

Member
Mar 31, 2005
572
4
19
Springfield, PA
Aug 4, 2008
#6
  • Aug 4, 2008
  • #6
Update: I bit the bullet, and bought Motorcraft (not OEM Ford) pads at the dealer, and put them on. The problem is gone, so the Hawks are going in the trash. Oh well; live and learn.
 

waggs

New Member
Jul 3, 2008
24
0
1
arizona
Aug 6, 2008
#7
  • Aug 6, 2008
  • #7
Flghtmstr1 said:
Update: I bit the bullet, and bought Motorcraft (not OEM Ford) pads at the dealer, and put them on. The problem is gone, so the Hawks are going in the trash. Oh well; live and learn.
Click to expand...
just curious, what was wrong with the hawk pads? i bought some brembo replacement rotors and motorcraft pads and i had this problem. did you get new anti rattle clips?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

C
Fox Need help identifying brake setup
  • Cypher02xd
  • Apr 25, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
2
Views
149
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Apr 27, 2026
Mustang5L5
L
05GT brakes on a 98GT?
  • lparsons42
  • Sep 6, 2025
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
0
Views
175
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- Sep 6, 2025
lparsons42
L
Brakes FOX BRAKES ISSUES
  • PonyGTrider
  • Jan 11, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
  • 2 3
Replies
53
Views
2K
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Jan 31, 2026
Mustang5L5
S
Brake issue after changing pads and rotors
  • squirrel0420
  • Jul 14, 2025
  • 2005 - 2014 S-197 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
15
Views
849
2005 - 2014 S-197 Mustang -General/Talk- Jul 18, 2025
nickyb
F
5 lug disc brake pad help
  • Foxrider714
  • Nov 14, 2025
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
3
Views
243
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Nov 17, 2025
KRUISR
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?