Clunk when braking

[GothicKidd]

I've got a clunk mainly from the front right of the car when braking, I've had my partners uncle looking under the car numerous times (day one he thought it was the radius rod bushes -had them replaced and nothing) I've had almost bushing under the front possible to replace. and also had the steering rack replaced.
It feels like the same clunking I had with my Ford falcon (that was upper control arm bushes though and it was obivous to notice), But it's not as bad as the ford, it doesn't feel like the wheel is moving.

Ive had, K frame replaced, castor rods replaced, had brake pads replaced, link pin kit done, steering rack and radius rod bushes. and thats all I can think off...

I hate the local mechanics and told me everything was fine so I give up with them.
What could be doing this? how could I check it? cheers


edit: Wouldn't be misfitted brake pads would it?

[James39]

How about the balljoint?

[GothicKidd]

How about the balljoint?

Doesn't that have signs though? like the wheel movement (up and down) ??

[Sabbath']

Check inner castor rod bushes, and check that the calipers are bolted tight to the strut

[vn_v6]

i looked at a mates vu yesterday about this! no wheel movement and clunking when braking, it turned out to be the arm that comes from the power steering rack, not sure what its called :S lol

[juiceie vh sle]

i would think strut top mounts need replacing

[hako]

Try this - engine running, brakes on hard...select D...then select R...repeat a few times whilst someone looks at front wheel for movement.

[GothicKidd]

i would think strut top mounts need replacing

Anyway of checking??

Check inner castor rod bushes, and check that the calipers are bolted tight to the strut

Would I be able to see if anything is abnormal? like cracking and whatever.. Ive looked at them and seemed find, Tried moving the castor rod back and forwards and no knocking.
I'll check that out.. I think it might be brake related.
Cheers

i would think strut top mounts need replacing

Anyway of checking if its bad?

Try this - engine running, brakes on hard...select D...then select R...repeat a few times whilst someone looks at front wheel for movement.

Tried looking out the window when the clunking occurs (going at a slow speed and applying brakes is enough to do it) Yeah Ill have to try that. What'd be problem if there is movement?
cheers

[Wombles]

I had this problem to. Ended up replacing the strut tops both caster rod bushes, sway bar bushes and link pins. That got rid of it.
They all looked rooted to. So it was a good idea..

[GothicKidd]

I had this problem to. Ended up replacing the strut tops both caster rod bushes, sway bar bushes and link pins. That got rid of it.
They all looked rooted to. So it was a good idea..

Well, Struts and brakes related are prob the last thing that'll need replacing. Ive had the outer castor rod bushes replaced and no difference, Think the sway bar bushes are good.. Think the linkpins was replaced when the steering rack was done.

Yeah. so I recon either brake related or strut related atm.

and your usertitle is so true haha.

[Wombles]

Its not brake related.
Sway bar may look fine but the hole could be clapped out.

[Drawnnite]

just out of curiosity. does it only make it when braking. or when going over bumps aswell?

and is it more of a knock?

if it is it could be a whole range of things (ive got similar problems) and have nearly replaced the entire front end (vs) trying to find it =P
take a look at this and see if it may help
phoenixmechanical vr commodore suspension

[GothicKidd]

just out of curiosity. does it only make it when braking. or when going over bumps aswell?

and is it more of a knock?

if it is it could be a whole range of things (ive got similar problems) and have nearly replaced the entire front end (vs) trying to find it =P
take a look at this and see if it may help
phoenixmechanical vr commodore suspension

Braking is when it seems to do it most. Only sometimes it'll clunk through a spoon drain.
Hmm I believe it's a knocking.
Yeah. Gotta love cars and there problems haha.
Ill take a look, thanks

Its not brake related.
Sway bar may look fine but the hole could be clapped out.

Hmph. I'll jack it up later and try to sus it out.

[m1lky]

i looked at a mates vu yesterday about this! no wheel movement and clunking when braking, it turned out to be the arm that comes from the power steering rack, not sure what its called :S lol

The rack end then tierod end. You can feel these rocking the wheel and it doesn't seem to fit the fault described.

As above does it do it over speed bumps too? I'm thinking it could be the sway bar link arms

[GothicKidd]

The rack end then tierod end. You can feel these rocking the wheel and it doesn't seem to fit the fault described.

As above does it do it over speed bumps too? I'm thinking it could be the sway bar link arms

Nah not the tierod end, It did have it until I had the steering rack replaced.

It's not as bad as when I brake, I think I might of had those replaced? had them replaced with H/duty and Nolathane... Bushes I believe. I looked at them and there was a gap between the bushes and the swaybar and like the strut? but thought it was to allow movement when steering? :S

[fallen1]

i had the same problem. most annoying noise ever. came from the right side front end. its almost impossible to pin point a knock best bet is the sway bar bushes. i got mine replaced an it solved the problem.. goodluck with the knock

[GothicKidd]

Well Ive got the car jacked up.. I was shaking everything trying to find a clunk.. I shook my spring and all of a sudden it was raining ball bearings. small ball bearings. Do struts have these? O.o

edit just googled strut mount... and what'd I find 'strut mount bearing kits' so I think, It might be my strut mounts...

[Drawnnite]

ball bearings?

do you knwo where they dropepd out of?

(or is that to do with the strut rubber mounts/spinable bearing?)

[GothicKidd]

ball bearings?

do you knwo where they dropepd out of?

(or is that to do with the strut rubber mounts/spinable bearing?)

Nah, I think the top of the spring area, really not sure? Seemed weird.. I saw one on the ground and thought nothing of it.. and while I was shaking the spring more fell down..

[juiceie vh sle]

the bearings are out of your strut mount.... dont just get the bearing get the whole strut top mount. nolathane are worth every penny should be about $150. youll need spring comprssors to change them aswell.

[GothicKidd]

the bearings are out of your strut mount.... dont just get the bearing get the whole strut top mount. nolathane are worth every penny should be about $150. youll need spring comprssors to change them aswell.

Ah sweet. Least they not just falling out of no where haha. No worries. Hopefully it is the cause of my problem.
Almost every bush in my car is Nolathane so yeah.. keep the pattern going. cheers

[Wombles]

the bearings are out of your strut mount.... dont just get the bearing get the whole strut top mount. nolathane are worth every penny should be about $150. youll need spring comprssors to change them aswell.

didnt use a spring compressor on mine when changing them. :-P
Nolathane are quite expensive and 150 is spot on.
Get sway bar bushes while your there. If there black. Bet is they're original.

[Bux]

As hako suggested, foot on brake and go from drive to reverse and watch the front wheels. My commodore (vn 5.0) had a clunking noise from the front when braking or hitting bumps (big or small) I have found the k frame moving where it bolts up to the body. I have just changed the ball joints and the 3 bushes each side which didnt fix it so im hoping this is the problem.

[Bux]

Just had a look at the car and got maybe a turn or so more on the left side sub frame bolts and none on the right side. And s*#t hot the noise has gone. So just gotta do sway bar rubbers (the 27mm ones) and all front bushes done.

[GothicKidd]

Well I had a holden dealer ship put a second hand k-frame, I doubt they'd do a decent job after the amount I paid them.
I'm getting my Strut mount bearings or something replaced tomorow so hopefully that's sorted the problem. but if it doesn't Ill check the bolts on the k frame. cheers