I've read post after post about the "clicking" problem that seems to be common in S2000s. I am experiencing this in my '05 (about 100K miles), and have determined it not to be the axle nut issue, but rather the "shifting brake pads" issue. I took it to the dealer (Landmark Honda, based on a rec from Ken on S2000 forum) to have it checked out, and the technician agreed that this was the likely cause. He listened to the tranny and the diff and the joints and said everything was tight and well maintained. The fact that the noise is coming not only from the back, but also from the front and under many different conditions, it seems clear. Also, it just has that type of sound, like when you're replacing pads and you slide them into place the first time--it just sounds like that.

Anyway, that's just background to my question: I've read a number of posts that say the reason that the pads click could be that they are aftermarket and the fitment is just off enough to allow them to shift a little and make noise. But then so many posts cite the various types of aftermarket pads that people use, I'm confused whey they're not having the problem? I have used either Brembo or Centric Premium rotors and Akebono ProACT pads on all types of cars from my Miata to my Tacoma to a G35 coupe to a Highlander and never had any problems. Is it a particular type of cheapo pad that would make the noise, or....? I don't want to do the job and end up right where I am again so I'm hoping someone can clarify this for me.

Thanks a bunch.
Steve

 

I would pull it apart and see. It should be obvious if there has been movement. Also which pads are you using?

 

Thanks for the response. I don't know what kind of pads they are. I just got the car a month ago and the brakes easily passed inspection. Have you heard of this problem before? Do you have any info on what pads might cause this?

 

its is kind of normal for the pads to move back and forth when you move the vehicle back and forth while applying the brakes. majority of the cars that I have owned have done that.

 

My apologies for the delayed response. I've been out of town for a while. I had a closer look at the brakes to see if I could see anything wrong and became less convinced that brakes were the problem, so I went ahead and re-torqued the axle nuts. The driver side diff mount was cracked as well, so I replaced that. Don't know which one did the trick, but the clicking is gone. I'm guessing it was the axle nuts, and that the dealer tech that evaluated it just didn't believe me when I told him it was a common issue with the S2K. You'd think they would know about this, but I guess not all of them do.

Thanks for your input.

Steve