Scraping sound coming from left rear brake backing plate

JOEYP

MEMBER
2005 HONDA ELEMENT
4 CYL
4WD
AUTOMATIC
169,000 MILES

As the rear wheels turn while driving slowly, I hear a scrape, scrape, scrape sound coming from left rear wheel. I took off the wheel, caliper, and brake pads. There is a scrape on the bottom part of the backing plate about five inches long. It looks like a smile! I tried pushing that part of the backing plate in. I also cleaned the rotor up. What could my problem be? Thanks for your help in advance!

5 Replies

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,873 POSTS

Did that solve the problem? It is not uncommon for a thin sheet metal backing plate, (dust shield in this case), to become bent and rub on the rotor. Also, a bead of rust will form on both sides of the outer edge of the rotor. Typically that gets ground off right away before you ever hear it, but when the vehicle sits unused over a weekend, you may hear the noise the next time you drive it.

We bend back dust shields every once in a while, but we do not waste time trying to figure out what caused it to rub. Sometimes part of it rusts away too, then they sag under their own weight.

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Monday, August 14th, 2017 AT 5:18 PM

JOEYP

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4 POSTS

That did not solve my problem. It is still rubbing.

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Tuesday, August 15th, 2017 AT 3:32 AM

JOEYP

MEMBER
4 POSTS

Could a new backing plate be in order? It is only rubbing on me bottom. Thanking you in advance.

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Tuesday, August 15th, 2017 AT 3:42 AM

JOEYP

MEMBER
4 POSTS

It seems as if the bottom of the backing plate is the high spot where it rubs.

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Tuesday, August 15th, 2017 AT 3:44 AM

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,873 POSTS

It can't rub if you bent it away. If it's a thicker steel plate that won't bend, look at the wheel bearing to see if it has develop slop and is allowing the rotor and wheel to tilt a little.