I had a similar rattle on my Golf, the mechanic said there are "anti-rattle
springs" (simple, huh?).  The springs hold the pads in place to prevent them
from rattle as you drive.  Hope this helps.

Michael B. Harrnacker
89 Weekender "Nameles"
91 Golf "Miami"
http://ruralinstitute.umt.edu/vwbus
vanagon@rudi.montech.umt.edu

"Never miss a good chance to shut up."

-----Original Message-----
From: db25 <Douglas_M_BENSEN@UMAIL.UMD.EDU>
To: vanagon@VANAGON.COM <vanagon@VANAGON.COM>
Date: Monday, November 30, 1998 11:27 AM
Subject: calipers rattle

>I've been trying to hunt down a rattle in the front end since I've owned
the
>van, almost 2 years now.  I've replaced everything part that I thought
could
>cause this noise.  I've spent real money at the dealer with no luck, and
>then spent more just to rule out a maybe.  This weekend while
>replacing the radiator and laying under the van I just started beatin
around
>on stuff with a rubber mallet for the fun of it.  I found that I could
>reproduce a similiar nose.  It seems the calipers rattle on the sliding
>pins.  I can move them by hand and make them rattle.  I think I have
finally
>narrowed it down.  The calipers are rebuilt and came with new guide pins,
>but the calipers I took off rattled also.  How much play is supposed
>to be there?  I can't think of any way of tying them down to make sure.
When I
>thought it was the shocks, I could just remove them and drive to the
special
>bump that always makes it thump.  Not sure what to do.  If anyone has any
>ideas, I'm open to suggestions.  I hope it's something simple and cheap
>because I replaced all the difficult and expensive parts.
>
>Thanks,
>Doug
>'86 GL Westy
>Maryland