I have an odd little thing happening. Every now and then while cruising on the highway I will hear a loud clatter from the front of the truck (front driver side wheel area I think). It goes away with a touch of the brakes. Started last year and happened maybe once every few weeks. Got more frequent last fall and then went away throughout the entire winter. Suddenly it is back again with the warm weather, but this time it is happening every day. Again, just tap the brakes and it goes away.

I've been kind of lazy about looking in to it because.... I'm lazy and don't want to look in to it. I gave ample opportunity for the "easy" diagnosis and it hasn't worked. That is wait until the broken part flies off the truck, pick it up out of the ditch, figure out what it is and replace it.

So since my first diagnostic technique didn't work, I suppose I am going to look into it for real tomorrow. I'll check for loose dust cover, loose brake components, seating of brake pads. But if anybody has any other ideas then I would appreciate the help.

Thanks

 

Question,does the brake peddle pulsate or can you feel an out of square or round rotor? My guess is a loose pad or caliper, could be backing plate, but you say that touching brake peddle calms it, it should be apparent once you pull a wheel.

 

Thanks for the reply. Brakes feel normal and solid to me. But I drive it every day so maybe I have slowly adapted and don't recognize a change.

That's what I wanted to hear. I used to do most my own work but over the years my motivation has dropped to near zero. My time has become more valuable to me.

 

Could it be the vacuum pump (behind the D/S headlight) making noise?

 

It's amazing how this happens. In the past I would have never even thought of having someone else work on my vehicles. My thought was always that I could turn a wrench as well as anyone, and that since it was my vehicle, I would care more about doing a first class job. Now days, with the kids taking up most of my free time, I just don't want to do it anymore. Any problems pop up and it's off to my local (and trusted) mechanic.

 

Interesting idea. I will keep it in mind.

 

The sound hasn't occurred again since last time I posted.
Never did look in to it and not prone to if it keeps behaving.

 

i'd check the loose nut behind the wheel.