clank sound in front end of '93 when breaking

[rhauf]

my '93 4x4 explorer has a strange clunking sound from the front end, i cant seem to locate it. I have replaced the radius arm bushings already (for other reasons)

When I back up and hit the brakes fairly hard, i get a thud/clunk from the front end. when i drive forwards again, the first time i hit the brakes hard i will get the clunk again. but only the first time i hit the brake, i can stop as hard as i want after that and it wont do it again until i back up and press the brakes. (same with backing up, clunks the first time then not after that until i go forward) a pretty strange problem. anybody else had a problem like this, or have an idea what it could be? i've wiggled the tires around and the ball joints seem fine.

 

[Blacksheep Josh]

Check the anti-rattle clips on the inside of the break calipers.

What I'm thinking is that these clips help provide pressure for the pad, so that it doesn't move all around up/down... well if you back up your forcing the pads upward (clank when backing up) and when you go forward the pads are going down (clank when going forward), and if you're continuously driving forward there's no reason for the pads to come back up again, hence no clank.

They're like 3 dollars for 2 of them at any store. They're little clips that attach to the bottom of the brake pads on the inside.

See link:
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showpost.php?p=2179654&postcount=3

 

[rhauf]

Hmm i didn't think about the brake pads moving.... I'll try that, thanks!

 

[matts91XLT]

thats strange, i have the exact same problem! ill also try the brake clips 2.

 

[ThespecialistKC]

Weird. I have the exact same issue. I also get an intermittent clunk when I drive over bumps in the road. I've checked everything, replaced RA bushings, shocks, spring pads, checked the wheel bearings, had the suspension checked by an alignment shop twice and they can't find anything. One thing I did find... the slide pins that hold the caliper to the spindle mount seem to have worn over the years. I can physically move the caliper up and down maybe a quarter of an inch. Not sure if it is enough to cause the clunk I hear, but I'm out of ideas otherwise. Next brake job I'm gonna replace them and see if it makes any difference.....
I'm open to other ideas....

 

[eyeball]

re clunk

there is a bracket on the "A" arm that usesd to have a rubber mount on it , when you break hard just right it will make a clunking sound. took me a long time to diagnose this problem sound.

 

[Tony H]

there is a bracket on the "A" arm that usesd to have a rubber mount on it , when you break hard just right it will make a clunking sound. took me a long time to diagnose this problem sound.

Any picture of this bracket??

Also these Brake clips; I have thought that my clunk might be teh PAds or caliper shifting a bit but I never knew there are clips. Mine never had them. Any link to what they look like?

 

[Maniak]

there is no A arm on your X.. I'm thinking he meant the Radius arm..

When the Radius arm bushing goes bad and is left bad, it can allow the Radius arm stud to hit the Radius arm bracket since the bushings isn't between the 2 parts anymore.

Search for Radius Arm bracket, or Radius Arm Bushings (sometimes called RAB). Its very common, and the one on the passenger sides wears out first since its close the the Cat. Converter.

~Mark

 

[Tony H]

Oh, yeah, that's what I suspected when it started this noise. I've replaced my RABs twice.
Next time I will need a Passenger side Bracket. It's not bad but some of teh Lip where teh RAB sits is a bit rusted away. Not enough to cause movement though

 

[nitro71]

Mine has a mild sound that seems to fit the description. I have also done RA bushings. I'm suspecting that it's the pivot bushings as there is nothing else left for it to be on mine. Your brake shoes should have a anti-rattle clip on the bottom of the inner shoe. I don't think it will stop clunking. They are probably just to stop "rattling" while driving down the road and keep in the shoe in the correct position.

 

[YBCold]

Weird. I have the exact same issue. I also get an intermittent clunk when I drive over bumps in the road. I've checked everything, replaced RA bushings, shocks, spring pads, checked the wheel bearings, had the suspension checked by an alignment shop twice and they can't find anything. One thing I did find... the slide pins that hold the caliper to the spindle mount seem to have worn over the years. I can physically move the caliper up and down maybe a quarter of an inch. Not sure if it is enough to cause the clunk I hear, but I'm out of ideas otherwise. Next brake job I'm gonna replace them and see if it makes any difference.....
I'm open to other ideas....

i think it might be your radius arm bushings mine had that issue