Brake rotor issue front left was making a noise?

2010 MAZDA 3

155,000 MILES • 2.5L • MANUAL

BHAMDOC1

MEMBER
280 POSTS

I replaced the left cv axle and whole knuckle assembly because bolts were impossible to remove.since then i noticed the front left was making a noise. I thought maybe the dust shield is rubbing. Took it for some ac work to one of my friends who is good at ac work. Got it back and jacked it up. Can't see anything but the fact that the rotor has some rust from the rain meaning the caliper is not even catching whole driving. Other side is fine. Got some videos for you. Can't see anything wrong. Do these have clips or anything the brakes sit on?

Videos (Click to enlarge)

Jul 14, 2026 at 11:37 PM

STRAILER

✓ASE Certified Mechanic
54,832 POSTS

Yep, it looks like the caliper retainer is missing, also it looks like the caliper slides are worn out to the caliper or the slider pins got cross-threaded? Can you double check the fit to the caliper? Here is a diagram of the clip that is missing. Check out the images (below). Let me know what you find.

Image (Click to enlarge)

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Jul 15, 2026 at 4:52 PM

BHAMDOC1

MEMBER
280 POSTS

I ordered the clips. I will see how it goes after. Thanks

Jul 15, 2026 at 5:55 PM

STRAILER

✓ASE Certified Mechanic
54,832 POSTS

Are the caliper slides cross threaded?

Jul 15, 2026 at 6:41 PM

BHAMDOC1

MEMBER
280 POSTS

What you mean by caliper slides? The pins?

Jul 15, 2026 at 6:51 PM

BHAMDOC1

MEMBER
280 POSTS

These?

Images (Click to enlarge)

Jul 15, 2026 at 6:51 PM

STRAILER

✓ASE Certified Mechanic
54,832 POSTS

The pins and the caliper look okay, it must be the clip that is missing that is causing that issue.

Jul 15, 2026 at 11:04 PM

BHAMDOC1

MEMBER
280 POSTS

Plz tell me if you have any ideas. I replaced the axle and knuckle assembly on it

Video (Click to enlarge)

Jul 17, 2026 at 2:00 PM

BHAMDOC1

MEMBER
280 POSTS

Here

Videos (Click to enlarge)

Jul 17, 2026 at 2:47 PM

STRAILER

✓ASE Certified Mechanic
54,832 POSTS

Yep, that makes more sense, it look like there were some spacers that were lost which is making the caliper mount or something is cross thread, not mounted correctly. not straight with the rotor. I would take it back apart to inspect the situation. Please check out the images below. The caliper clip will not help this problem fyi.

Images (Click to enlarge)

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Jul 17, 2026 at 3:04 PM

BHAMDOC1

MEMBER
280 POSTS

I didn't see any spacers when I moved it, and I installed the same bracket on the old knuckle without any spacers with the same bolts and it's not touching as you can see in the video

Jul 17, 2026 at 3:07 PM

BHAMDOC1

MEMBER
280 POSTS

I got it. Not sure what it was.But I took everything off, cleaned the center ring of the rotor itself, cleaned the hub with a brush, lubricated the pins, tightened the top bracket bolt first then the bottom, could be that one of the bolts is a bit longer than the other, not sure, but all good now, both fronts were missing the retaining clips.

Jul 17, 2026 at 5:00 PM

STRAILER

✓ASE Certified Mechanic
54,832 POSTS

Thanks for letting us know, we are here to help, please use 2CarPros anytime.

Jul 18, 2026 at 2:49 PM

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