Suspension & Brakes Springs | Shocks | Handling | Rotors

Clunking when braking with intermediate pressure

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 5, 2014 | 09:21 PM
  #1  
z-maro's Avatar
Thread Starter
12 Second Club
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
iTrader: (18)
 
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,287
Likes: 22
From: MN
Default Clunking when braking with intermediate pressure

Well I started getting a clunking noise sometimes when braking from around 40 to 25 mph with the clutch pushed in, and intermediate pressure on the brake pedal. I noticed this after I got new tires and painted the brake calipers and rotor hats. I originally thought this was a driveline issue, but after further investigation I believe it is a brake issue.

I went to verify that the slide pin bolts were at 27 ft-lbs and the top one on the passenger side just sat and spun, so I assume it is stripped. It also looked like the little rubber cover also was spinning on this bolt (shown in the picture below). I noticed that the calipers do not seem to have as much side to side movement as the ones on my fathers car. Maybe greasing the pins would help this and fix my clunking sound?

What would be the symptoms of a sticky slide pin?
Reply
Old Aug 7, 2014 | 05:09 PM
  #2  
sleepinghawk's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,293
Likes: 1
From: Fredericksburg Va
Default

Not sure why your pins are sticky, did you see rust on them? I just went thru this break down heading to the beach on Interstate 64 with all those bumps! Heard a clunking sound after hitting a bump in the concrete then a metal sound (2 screws coming off). Pulled over and saw my brake moving and there were no bolts holding the pins in. Long story short, walked 3 miles to a Autozone and got new ones. Used locktite and fixed driver side and checked passenger side. My slides moved freely, and I had never taken these bolts out before. I just sprayed my pins lightly with lithium grease spray.
Reply
Old Aug 11, 2014 | 11:45 AM
  #3  
FirstGen F-Body's Avatar
On The Tree
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 186
Likes: 0
From: P.A.
Default

if you cant get the slide tightened to spec make sure the slide flange is locked into the caliper when tightening. If it dosent lock in you can grab it with a wrench or vice grips. Some cars you need to do that to tighten the caliper. If the bolt still spins its stripped
dose it go away with heavier braking?
my monte carlo clunks with light braking, once i brake a little heavy it goes away. The slides have play, if i grease the slides it goes away for 6 mths to a yr. I need to get a new bracket n slides but since it dosent affect braking id rather put the money into the camaro
Reply
Old Aug 17, 2014 | 07:55 AM
  #4  
Rob M's Avatar
On The Tree
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 169
Likes: 5
From: Texas
Default

I have occasionally gotten/heard something similar on my '02 as well. I did slotted rotors, Hawks pads & the rims Years ago. I fired up my compressor yest with the pic above in mind and went searching for a loose bolt or something backed off and didn't find squat
Reply
Old Aug 17, 2014 | 02:09 PM
  #5  
z-maro's Avatar
Thread Starter
12 Second Club
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
iTrader: (18)
 
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,287
Likes: 22
From: MN
Default

Originally Posted by FirstGen F-Body
if you cant get the slide tightened to spec make sure the slide flange is locked into the caliper when tightening. If it dosent lock in you can grab it with a wrench or vice grips. Some cars you need to do that to tighten the caliper. If the bolt still spins its stripped
dose it go away with heavier braking?
my monte carlo clunks with light braking, once i brake a little heavy it goes away. The slides have play, if i grease the slides it goes away for 6 mths to a yr. I need to get a new bracket n slides but since it dosent affect braking id rather put the money into the camaro
Yes it does not happen with harder braking. Is there a good write up on how to grease the slides? Do you have to remove the calipers?

Originally Posted by Rob M
I have occasionally gotten/heard something similar on my '02 as well. I did slotted rotors, Hawks pads & the rims Years ago. I fired up my compressor yest with the pic above in mind and went searching for a loose bolt or something backed off and didn't find squat
I still haven't figured it out, and I can't even be 100% sure on where it is coming from. The car has factory blank rotors.
Reply
Old Aug 17, 2014 | 06:42 PM
  #6  
meeklay812's Avatar
Staging Lane
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 74
Likes: 1
From: Chicago, IL
Default

I had a clunk when breaking after getting out of gear, and it ended up being the torque arm bushing. When the weight/momentum would transfer while decelerating, the torque arm would move around a bit. $15 fix. Also maybe check the tranny mount or possibly the U-Joints.

If you think it's coming from your brakes, its possible the pads are moving within the caliper, causing a clink.
Reply
Old Aug 17, 2014 | 09:28 PM
  #7  
z-maro's Avatar
Thread Starter
12 Second Club
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
iTrader: (18)
 
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,287
Likes: 22
From: MN
Default

That is what I am also thinking it could be. I have been looking at this thread, and would like to try something similar as I believe I do get some extra noise from the rod end on the MWC torque arm.

https://ls1tech.com/forums/gears-axl...orque-arm.html
Reply
Old Aug 18, 2014 | 06:23 AM
  #8  
Darth_V8r's Avatar
Moderator
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 10,450
Likes: 1,873
From: My own internal universe
Default

I've had several cars clunk when braking. Every time, it turned out the top shock bolts needed a quarter turn. Noise gone
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-1

Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-5

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-8

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Aug 18, 2014 | 09:12 AM
  #9  
Rob M's Avatar
On The Tree
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 169
Likes: 5
From: Texas
Default

Originally Posted by Darth_V8r
I've had several cars clunk when braking. Every time, it turned out the top shock bolts needed a quarter turn. Noise gone
Good food for thought! Even better avatar Darth As well as the Torque arm suggestion.

...In my case neither will matter as I'm getting to do the parts install part of a lot of my suspension & chassis
Reply
Old Aug 18, 2014 | 11:53 AM
  #10  
brigade24's Avatar
Launching!
 
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 291
Likes: 2
From: Richmond, ON, Canada
Default

Originally Posted by meeklay812
If you think it's coming from your brakes, its possible the pads are moving within the caliper, causing a clink.
+1. First thing i thought of.

The abutment bracket shims don't really hold the pads tightly in the bracket so they might make a clunking sound when the brakes are applied.

i tried adding a single shim to each bracket on each side and the clunking stopped but the pads were hard to move so i'm still trying to figure out which is better.
Reply
Old Aug 27, 2014 | 04:53 PM
  #11  
z-maro's Avatar
Thread Starter
12 Second Club
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
iTrader: (18)
 
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,287
Likes: 22
From: MN
Default

Originally Posted by Darth_V8r
I've had several cars clunk when braking. Every time, it turned out the top shock bolts needed a quarter turn. Noise gone
I think this fixed the problem, thanks a ton! I was getting so frustrated with this, I'm glad it was an easy fix. The bolts must have loosened over time since I added a STB a few winters ago. I may add a little loctite if it becomes an issue again.
Reply
Old Aug 28, 2014 | 07:19 PM
  #12  
Darth_V8r's Avatar
Moderator
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 10,450
Likes: 1,873
From: My own internal universe
Default

I feel you. First car it happened on I tore the front end apart three times trying to figure it out. Second car, I only tore it apart once. Third time I went straight to the shock towers.

If only there was a website that people with ls1 powered cars could post when weird stuff like that happens to help others with similar problems
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:09 AM.

story-0
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

Slideshow: We take a close look at the ONE and Artidiag 800BT2 diagnostic tools from Topdon and the reasons to buy one over the other.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 11:05:11


VIEW MORE
story-1
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

Slideshow: The controversial Ferrari F6 swaps its original flat-12 for a Corvette Z06-derived LT4 V8 and sends power to four rear wheels through a custom-built drivetrain.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 18:23:54


VIEW MORE
story-2
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

Slideshow:These GM engines didn't just make huge power, they survived abuse, boost, track days, and six-digit mileage with a reputation for refusing to quit.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-21 16:45:27


VIEW MORE
story-3
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-4
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-5
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-8
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-9
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE