Clunking from Passenger Front Wheel

bbade · 08-27-2009, 04:35 PM

A little background, all of the suspension bushings were just replaced with SuperPro and the brake pads were replaced with Hawk HP+.

The clunking heard is not like that of worn bushings and all bushings are brand new so that variable can be eliminated.

When stopping I hear a strange "click/clunk" noise coming from the front of the car. I had a friend stand outside while stopping and we have pinpointed the noise as coming from the front passenger wheel area. The same friend hypothesizes that it might be something with the pistons in the calipers, could this be possible? Anyway if ya'll have any suggestions as to what to look for please let me know, I will try to get the car in the air later and post up any additional findings. Thanks!

dudemaaan · 08-27-2009, 05:27 PM

I have the same clicking from one of the rear rotors after messing with the brakes. I did some reading and found it's a quite common issue. Though I'm not sure exactly how to fix it. Did you reuse the old shim pieces that go on the edges of where the pads sit?

Also mine doesn't always do it so I haven't been too concerned with it.

bbade · 08-27-2009, 06:03 PM

Yeah, I did reuse the shims. I'm not sure what pads were on there as they were on when I bought the car.

I agree this is the first time I've really noticed it since I did the pads a week ago, pretty odd.

rx4ur7 · 08-29-2009, 04:15 AM

My experience has been that it is pretty common with aftermarket pads, missing hardware, worn out hardware or something not installed quite right. One of those springs can do it. Check all the hardware closely. Also see if there is any movement of the pads, they should be relatively snug.
I am sure you opened the bleeder when pushing the pucks(pistions) back in the caliper. Would not cause clunking but can play havoc with the ABS and or master. Wouldn't be one of the pistons especially since you didn't have it before you replaced the pads. You have other issues like pulling or locking up.
Have not had a lot of experience with rust prone cars so do not know if there may be anything related to that issue.

Signal 2 · 08-29-2009, 10:25 AM

If your not sure it's brake related.......
On occasion the front upper control arm bushings will develope an ability to slide back and forth between the mounting "ears". It's usually only a 1/4 inch or so, and probably wouldn't matter what kind of bushings you had, OEM or aftermarket. It can result in a clunk sound, usually heard (and felt) at low speed...like when your pulling into the garage etc.
If this is the case, it can be corrected pretty easily.

bbade · 08-31-2009, 12:55 PM

Just took a look at the front suspension, everything is still nice and tight. I will investigate the brakes more closely when I get a chance to look at the car again (it just went back to PA).

I just finished a track day at Putnam Park with the car and the problem seems to have gone away. I wonder if maybe something was not seated properly and corrected itself under hard braking. There were absolutely zero braking issues at the track as well as before and after the track so that's good.

rx4ur7 · 09-02-2009, 05:17 PM

Sounds like it might have been a bushing issue then. Forgot to mention that in original post. Have seen aftermarket bushing make strange noises, like popping. Especially if there is a dry spot. Since they are harder than OEM and do not have the same clearencing and give they can do that.
I am not fond of them for the street. Most of my clients want touring highway cars that don't knock their teeth out when used for a daily driver. And I don't like having to replacing then constantly.
For competition, no holds barred, grit your teeth and bear it.
As long as the car worked and you had fun, there ya go.

my 2CS's

Signal 2 · 09-02-2009, 08:25 PM

FWIW,
If it is the upper control arm bushings sliding fore and aft, you usually only notice it at low speed and only after the car has been loaded one way or another. For example, if you back up slowly and brake it will load the sliding bushings forward. Then when you pull forward you will hear (and sometimes feel) a dull "clunk" as you brake and they move aft. They slide longitudinally along the bolt within those chassis mounting 'ears'. Sometimes you can see evidence of the sliding action if you look closely...but again it's only a 1/4 inch or so.

08-27-2009, 04:35 PM	#1
bbade Rotary Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Macungie, PA Posts: 163 Rep Power: 18	Clunking from Passenger Front Wheel A little background, all of the suspension bushings were just replaced with SuperPro and the brake pads were replaced with Hawk HP+. The clunking heard is not like that of worn bushings and all bushings are brand new so that variable can be eliminated. When stopping I hear a strange "click/clunk" noise coming from the front of the car. I had a friend stand outside while stopping and we have pinpointed the noise as coming from the front passenger wheel area. The same friend hypothesizes that it might be something with the pistons in the calipers, could this be possible? Anyway if ya'll have any suggestions as to what to look for please let me know, I will try to get the car in the air later and post up any additional findings. Thanks! __________________ Proud owner of a base 1993 Montego Blue FD. PFC, RB single tip, Koyo Radiator, KDR rebuilt motor, polished OEM front strut bar, FEED replica sideskirts, OEM 99 spec rear spoiler, SuperPro Bushings Many thanks to Dave at KDR for sparking my rotor addiction.

08-27-2009, 05:27 PM	#2
dudemaaan Rotary Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Brenham, TX Posts: 335 Rep Power: 18	I have the same clicking from one of the rear rotors after messing with the brakes. I did some reading and found it's a quite common issue. Though I'm not sure exactly how to fix it. Did you reuse the old shim pieces that go on the edges of where the pads sit? Also mine doesn't always do it so I haven't been too concerned with it. __________________ 500+ HP thanks to: Fast reacting IAT sensor thread! Mechanical Pre-turbo Water Injection Thread Dual Stock fuel pumps Thread T2 differential swap!

08-27-2009, 06:03 PM	#3
bbade Rotary Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Macungie, PA Posts: 163 Rep Power: 18	Yeah, I did reuse the shims. I'm not sure what pads were on there as they were on when I bought the car. I agree this is the first time I've really noticed it since I did the pads a week ago, pretty odd. __________________ Proud owner of a base 1993 Montego Blue FD. PFC, RB single tip, Koyo Radiator, KDR rebuilt motor, polished OEM front strut bar, FEED replica sideskirts, OEM 99 spec rear spoiler, SuperPro Bushings Many thanks to Dave at KDR for sparking my rotor addiction.

08-29-2009, 10:25 AM	#5
Signal 2 Viable Fossil Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Mid-West Posts: 199 Rep Power: 18	If your not sure it's brake related....... On occasion the front upper control arm bushings will develope an ability to slide back and forth between the mounting "ears". It's usually only a 1/4 inch or so, and probably wouldn't matter what kind of bushings you had, OEM or aftermarket. It can result in a clunk sound, usually heard (and felt) at low speed...like when your pulling into the garage etc. If this is the case, it can be corrected pretty easily. __________________ Jim VR R1 FD Last edited by Signal 2; 08-29-2009 at 10:28 AM.

08-31-2009, 12:55 PM	#6
bbade Rotary Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Macungie, PA Posts: 163 Rep Power: 18	Just took a look at the front suspension, everything is still nice and tight. I will investigate the brakes more closely when I get a chance to look at the car again (it just went back to PA). I just finished a track day at Putnam Park with the car and the problem seems to have gone away. I wonder if maybe something was not seated properly and corrected itself under hard braking. There were absolutely zero braking issues at the track as well as before and after the track so that's good. __________________ Proud owner of a base 1993 Montego Blue FD. PFC, RB single tip, Koyo Radiator, KDR rebuilt motor, polished OEM front strut bar, FEED replica sideskirts, OEM 99 spec rear spoiler, SuperPro Bushings Many thanks to Dave at KDR for sparking my rotor addiction.

08-29-2009, 04:15 AM	#4
rx4ur7 Rotary since 1972 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Tucson Posts: 231 Rep Power: 17	My experience has been that it is pretty common with aftermarket pads, missing hardware, worn out hardware or something not installed quite right. One of those springs can do it. Check all the hardware closely. Also see if there is any movement of the pads, they should be relatively snug. I am sure you opened the bleeder when pushing the pucks(pistions) back in the caliper. Would not cause clunking but can play havoc with the ABS and or master. Wouldn't be one of the pistons especially since you didn't have it before you replaced the pads. You have other issues like pulling or locking up. Have not had a lot of experience with rust prone cars so do not know if there may be anything related to that issue.

09-02-2009, 05:17 PM	#7
rx4ur7 Rotary since 1972 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Tucson Posts: 231 Rep Power: 17	Sounds like it might have been a bushing issue then. Forgot to mention that in original post. Have seen aftermarket bushing make strange noises, like popping. Especially if there is a dry spot. Since they are harder than OEM and do not have the same clearencing and give they can do that. I am not fond of them for the street. Most of my clients want touring highway cars that don't knock their teeth out when used for a daily driver. And I don't like having to replacing then constantly. For competition, no holds barred, grit your teeth and bear it. As long as the car worked and you had fun, there ya go. my 2CS's

09-02-2009, 08:25 PM	#8
Signal 2 Viable Fossil Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Mid-West Posts: 199 Rep Power: 18	FWIW, If it is the upper control arm bushings sliding fore and aft, you usually only notice it at low speed and only after the car has been loaded one way or another. For example, if you back up slowly and brake it will load the sliding bushings forward. Then when you pull forward you will hear (and sometimes feel) a dull "clunk" as you brake and they move aft. They slide longitudinally along the bolt within those chassis mounting 'ears'. Sometimes you can see evidence of the sliding action if you look closely...but again it's only a 1/4 inch or so. __________________ Jim VR R1 FD