brake clunk

greybox · Post by **greybox** » Thu Jun 02, 2011 1:20 pm

yes, I have searched....

So when I roll back and hit the brakes they clunk sometimes, like maybe the calipers or pads are shifting, then when I roll forward and hit the brakes again they clunk...

this only happens once in a while and if I have been rolling forward they never clunk on any future stops...also, it doesn't seem to clunk going over bumps/cracks/strips etc

so anyone know of this, or maybe have dealt with this?

hansken_yo · Post by **hansken_yo** » Thu Jun 02, 2011 4:00 pm

Hard to say. Could just be the pads shifting in their seat, but we'll need more info about your setup and more description of the clunk

greybox · Post by **greybox** » Thu Jun 02, 2011 4:52 pm

It sounds like something that shifts back and forth, clunk noise in the fact it seems heavy but with a start and stop, no wiggle or squeak---not affected by whether the wheels are straight or turned and only happens when I change from backwards to forwards and not every time either.

greybox · Post by **greybox** » Fri Oct 21, 2011 7:27 pm

so I changed the struts and springs (got a good deal on new and lowered ones)..thought maybe the clunk was gone because for a whole day after that-nothing.

Then 2 days later its back, not as consistent (yet) but it does clunk. so its not anything to do with the struts, bolts for struts, etc....

do the pads shift within the holders often on these cars?

Post by **occasional demons** » Fri Oct 21, 2011 7:50 pm

Likely the bracket for the pads has worn enough that it has dibbits where the pads are. This gives them room to move forward or back with the rotor when the brakes are applied. They can either be welded, and resurfaced, or you have to replace the knuckle, if it is the case. (And it bugs you enough to warrant doing that)

It isn't a problem, until the dibbits get deep enough to keep the pads from moving with the piston. You will know when tht happens, as the middle of the pad will be worn more than the ends, or it will be uneven from one side sticking.

greybox · Post by **greybox** » Fri Oct 21, 2011 10:29 pm

thank you-that makes sense...maybe just wait it out until I find a swap set from a totaled car or something.

will check the pads for weird ware next time I have the wheels off

Juan23 · Post by **Juan23** » Tue Oct 25, 2011 2:19 pm

Sometimes i get the same "clunking" noise when i use the brakes at a slow speed. When I'm reversing or slow speed braking. I had Brake Check take a look and they told me that my brakes were good, but when he rotated the rotor back and forth quickly there was the clunking noise and it sounded like it was coming from the transmission or somewhere close. By the way, I have a automatic transmission.

Donkeypuncher · Post by **Donkeypuncher** » Tue Oct 25, 2011 3:20 pm

You can also try lubing up the caliper slider bolts, they can stick sometimes. Use high temp grease also.

greybox · Post by **greybox** » Tue Oct 25, 2011 3:54 pm

Thats a good idea...if nothing else it will help troubleshoot the problems.

Donkeypuncher · Post by **Donkeypuncher** » Tue Oct 25, 2011 7:29 pm

And check that the caliper bracket bolts are not loose.

Post by **occasional demons** » Tue Oct 25, 2011 8:42 pm

Assuming we are referring to the front... (OP didn't specify)

Regular neons don't have front caliper bracket bolts. The bracket is cast into the knuckle. SRT knuckles do have bolt on caliper brackets.

Caliper slider bolts being loose could cause some issues, eventually major issues.

Donkeypuncher · Post by **Donkeypuncher** » Tue Oct 25, 2011 10:41 pm

You're right

You would think I'd remember since I had my knuckle off 2 days ago. I'm thinking of the old avenger for some reason.

Post by **occasional demons** » Wed Oct 26, 2011 7:06 am

With modifying our cars, it hard to tell who has what, and after a while you forget what was normal on your own car, so that is mainly why I clarified that little detail.

greybox · Post by **greybox** » Wed Oct 26, 2011 5:15 pm

it is the front brakes, non srt4..and I will check the brake bolts this weekend..and grease them...