brakes clunking.....something on the front end
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Central Iowa
brakes clunking.....something on the front end
I changed out the front drivers side bearings this weekend and when reinstalling the hub/rotor assembly I tightened the inside spindle nut to tight minus 45 degrees. The outer got around 150ft/lbs of torque as per haynes manual. after reinstalling the caliper and brake pads I spun the rotor to make sure it was tight. I think my rotor is warped. While spinning it would always stop at the same point and made a rubbing sound on the brake pads. I took my family out to eat last night and noticed a clunking sound on the front drivers side when I would go over bumps and during hard braking. I inspected the front end when we got to the restaurant and the only thing I could see, other than my original assumption of the rotor being warped, was that the bushings on my front sway bar were worn out. If it is the rotor that is warped, why is it clunking like something is loose in that area? I plan on replacing the rotor this evening but should I replace the caliper as well. Could it be the problem? I plan on removing the sway bars soon anyway so I am not going to bother with replacing the bushings. Any other ideas? Thanks in advance.
KJ
KJ
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Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Wheatland, Mo
brakes clunking.....something on the front end
If your rotors were warped, you would feel a pulsing when you braked. Not just on bumps or hard braking but all the time. Check your linkage for steering, ball joints, tie rod ends. Look at all your bushings close. Sometimes a split or cut wont be noticed unless its under pressure so you have to look close while its sitting still.
Good Luck
Good Luck
Thread Starter
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Senior User
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From: Central Iowa
brakes clunking.....something on the front end
I did install the clip but I will double check to make sure that it is still there. Would the sway bar bushing being only half there cause a clunking sound? Maybe it is hitting the frame? Another sympton I forgot to include is that I didn't tighten the outer spindle nut enough the first time. There was a little play in the hub and rotor. Upon examination of the bearings, after realizing this, they were still in good shape. This clunk only started after I tightened the spindle nuts to the recommend torque. I know that the ball joints and tie rod ends need to be replaced because they are about the only thing left on the truck that was there when I bought it. My reason for thinking that the rotor was warped is because when I spin it it rubs on the brake pads at uneven intervals. Could the rotor being warped cause the brake pads to shift (and clunk) when the added resistance from the warped rotor gets to them? It seems to me that a true rotor should spin evenly through the brake pads.
KJ
KJ
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 7,406
Likes: 52
From: Wheatland, Mo
brakes clunking.....something on the front end
Yep that is very possible on the brake warpage. Could be that they are not bad enough to cause the pulsing...but if they "sound" like they are, then it would be worth the money to go to a brake shope to have em trued up again. Doesnt cost much and they do em on the truck. As for the pads sounding like they are ALWAYS rubbing the rotor, thats normal so long as they dont bind up.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Central Iowa
brakes clunking.....something on the front end
Last night I checked to be sure the clip was on the inner brake pad and all was well. I also removed the sway bar in the front because it had a badly worn bushing. No luck on the clunk. It sounds as if the bearings are the cause. Like I said in an earlier post, I had been mistaken about the torque on the spindle nuts and this clunk has started after I had retightened them to the torque specs listed in my Haynes manual (150ft/lbs for the outer, tight then back off 45 degrees for the inner). I have to believe that the spindle nuts are too tight or the bearing isn't seated properly. If this is the case I am probably going to have to replace one or both bearings. If they are grinding loud enough that I can hear them then they should certainly be worn and scored. Why would this be occurring if I tightened them to specs?
KJ
KJ
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 337
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From: Ohia
brakes clunking.....something on the front end
i have never heard of them turning the rotors on the truck, do they do that at any of the big natioal chains? i live in columbus ohio, that would be really nice.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,323
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From: Montana Territory
brakes clunking.....something on the front end
Well your bearing isn't going to seat, but the races are. They might not be in allthe way, if you replaces the races, then I would check to make sure they are seated all the way. I assume you thoroughly greased the bearings also.
Have you had your bushings replaced. If not I think its about time. I can't think of what they call em' on newer trucks but they are the kingpins on mine. Mine made the same clunk when I hit a hard bump.
Have you had your bushings replaced. If not I think its about time. I can't think of what they call em' on newer trucks but they are the kingpins on mine. Mine made the same clunk when I hit a hard bump.
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