Clunking noise when braking and coming to a stop

[alcgraham]

My 2004 Eddie Bauer Edition has started making a clunking noise intermittently in the front when braking to a stop. Nothing else seems strange no noises any other times. Looking for some suggestions as to what to investigate. Thank you!

 

[Motorcity muscle]

Would check the front brakes, maybe lift each side of front end and spin the wheel see if you hear noise. Could also be a wheel bearing or axle issue if 4 x 4.

 

[alcgraham]

Thanks for the ideas. It is a 4x4 so I will have my husband check these as well.

 

[Yupster Dog]

Looking for some suggestions as to what to investigate. Thank you!

Check sway bar and end links.

 

[alcgraham]

Ok, thanks!

 

[lwbrown05]

Is that the only symptom? Does it pull to one side? Is it only when braking and not when accelerating? How's the alignment? I would check the camber bolts along with the suggestions already given.

 

[alcgraham]

That is the only symptom. It does not pull to a side at all. It is only when breaking not accelerating. I think the alignment is good. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[tommyddsr]

Check your brakes. Actually pull the pads and inspect them. i had a set that looked good but one pad was cracked. It made clicking /clunking noises when braking.

 

[Rickybobby007]

I have an 03 ssv that's doing the same thing, absolutely annoying situation. Have checked all I could think of. If you nail it down I'd be interested as to solution

 

[whtbronco]

I had this on my '04 Expedition. Everything seemed fine when testing in the garage and the brake pads looked good. Similar to what tommyddsr said as soon as I pulled the caliper I found 1 pad that had failed. The factory brake lining had rusted off the backing plate at 211k miles. Swapped the pads and fixed it. I could not see this until I pulled the caliper off and not only did it make a clunk noise sometimes, but it also made the brakes kinda mushy intermittently.

 

[Rickybobby007]

I've still got same issue and it's giving me a bound up feeling in the front driver side although I've checked all moving parts and vacuum to hub.almost to the feeling of hub intermittent engagement. Still stumped

 

[Hamfisted]

I've still got same issue and it's giving me a bound up feeling in the front driver side although I've checked all moving parts and vacuum to hub.almost to the feeling of hub intermittent engagement. Still stumped

The hub actuators are known to leak vacuum after many years due to diaphragm failure, and that would allow hub engagement when you do not want it. So try giving the actual actuators a leak down test. Do you have a vacuum hand pump with a gauge on it ? If the actuators do not hold vacuum replace them and check for hub damage.

Vacuum Test Kit on Amazon





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[Rickybobby007]

I've disassembled tested and bought replacements, there's no way to replicate a test to have it do it in a controlled setting ,the weight and load force aren't there when jacked up I'm still clueless.i appreciate the input and suggestions but yup tried it.

 

[BravoAlpha]

Check sway bar and end links.

This.

Also check the body mounts and bushings. Almost 20 years old

 

[Vincent Vega]

@Rickybobby007 did you check the upper and lower ball joints? Lower control arm bushings, and swaybar-to frame bushings? Lower coilover mount bushings. Upper coilover mounts?

 

[Rickybobby007]

Now that you mention it,driver side lower ball did give tremendous headache replacing.ill check

 

[alcgraham]

Brakes and rotors changed and the noise is still there. Now I have a noise that started coming from the front right wheel. It makes one noise when going forward then in reverse it makes a quieter noise, so I think I have two different things going on?

 

[alcgraham]

Ok, front wheel noise solved, it was a brake caliper clip that was rubbing on the wheel. Changed out the clip and all is good. The other noise, no idea.

 

[Trainmaster]

Have you looked at the driveshaft universal joints?

 

[alcgraham]

Thanks for the idea. We have not checked that. Are they hard to replace?