Rear rotor rubber cap

[hmsrocinante]

A couple months ago I attempted to do a rear rotor replacement, but could not finish because I broke off my philips bit inside one of the 2 rotor retaining screws. Before that happened, I mistakenly pushed the rubber cap on the rear rotor (that covers access to the parking brake adjustment mechanism) inwards. I figured I'd retrieve it when I got the rotor off, but alas...

I got a new rubber cap and put it on. Fast forward to the present. A squeal/whine noise has been coming from that right rear wheel for a few days (everything was fine for nearly 2 months). It seems braking-related, and usually happens at low-speed braking or just after braking. It is pretty loud from the outside.

I changed out the rear brake pads today, figuring the noise might have been the low-pad warning squeal (I knew the rear pads were thin). But the noise is still there. I'm thinking it might be related to the parking brake or possibly that rubber piece.

Question: Do you think that rubber piece disintegrated or fell out shortly after, or might it still be in there (and might it be related to this noise?). Might this noise be related to the parking brake? (it happens even several miles after releasing the parking brake)

Thanks in advance! Will be taking to the shop day after tomorrow.

[cofetym]

Sounds parking brake related.

[onu2002]

Pardon me if I'm telling you something you already know. But removing rotors is quite easy if you have an impact screw driver for loosening the retaining screws and the proper bolts (M8x1.25?) for dislodging the rotors. Unless, of course, the piece of your screwdriver bit that broke off in the retaining screw is stuck in there. Maybe you could try an extraction tool. If you're already replacing the pads, which it sounds like you've already done, you might as well remove the rotor to make sure the rubber plug isn't hurting anything. It probably just burned up over time though.

(By the way, I did the same thing when I adjusted my parking brake, and learned the hard way that the hub nut does not have to be removed to remove the rotor.)

[hmsrocinante]

I know about impact screwdrivers now. And yes, the problem now is that the piece of broken screwdriver bit is stuck in the retaining screw's slot. One day I'd like to extract it or just break off the screw's head in order to get the rotor off...I just don't have that kind of time these days (your profile photo indicates you probably understand). So that rotor ain't coming off by me anytime soon. I figured that plug would have burned up or broken apart by now. I see we've all done our share of dumb things with our cars....at least they make for good stories, right?