It's rattling, and no one knows why

[superman5787]

Well, I had a brake job done about 2 weeks ago and I noticed a slight rattle from the front left corner of the truck. I took it back and watched as everything was taken apart, but nothing was loose. I do have bad ball joints but my mechanic doesn't think that could make a sound like it is. Well, I've looked through it and haven't found anything OBVIOUSLY loose, but there is something definately loose. It can be heard the loudest when the suspension moves just a little at a time. Over rail road tracks and such, I don't really notice it, but over small rough spots in the road, it's quit loud. It sounds an awful lot like a window or door rattling, but it is from the front left. Anyone got ANY idea on something to look for? (By the way, the radius arm bushings have been replaced recently too. Could it be?)

Thanks...

Clark

 

[dogfriend]

Could it be the dust shield behind the caliper?

 

[superman5787]

Good Idea!!! Keep 'em comin' fella's!!! Thanks for the fast response.

 

[Raceit]

A few thoughts...

Can you reproduce it if you have a friend jump up and down on the front bumper?

Also maybe jack the front end up and get the tire(s) off the ground and check them for play. Horizontaly and Verticly. Plus it would give you a chance to "kick" stuff if the front end is jacked up by the frame an not by the front axle.

 

[88vert]

What about Radius arm bushings

 

[mmsdrummer]

I have the exact same proplem, but on both sides. Its not the dust shield, but i think its the brake calipers. I've reached in there and can wiggle them but have no idea as how to stop it. By the way, mine is a 2wd if that makes a difference...

 

[dogfriend]

a couple of other ideas

I was just looking at the illustration of the front caliper in my Haynes manual (page 9-5). The picture shows an "Anti-Rattle Clip" which is supposed to go on the end of the inboard pad. Could that clip be missing?

Second one: I had this (similar) caliper design on my Ranger. I remember how the funky caliper pins were designed with a rubber block which was squeezed between the two outer metal pieces. After being squeezed for 50k mi or so, the rubber could take a set (permanently deformed). Is it possible that the caliper pins are rattling inside the grooves ? Or letting the calipers rattle around? The calipers should slide on the pins but shouldn't move any other directions.

 

[superman5787]

Thanks for the responses. I'll take a look at it tomorrow morning. I would tonight, but I gotta go to work. And I said something about the radius arm bushings because I thought maybe if they were alittle loose, maybe they would rattle, but I've already decided it can't be that. Thanks for helpin'. Take it easy...

 

[88vert]

Caliper pins could be falling out too