noise first time brakes are applied in fwd/reverse

I replaced my front pads and rotors on my 93 Cutlass Supreme a couple weeks ago. (I used some stuff on the back of the pads to make them stick to the calipers and cut down on noise.) Since then, the FIRST time I applied the brakes in forward (after previously applying brakes in reverse), or vice versa, there is sort of a clunking noise coming from the passenger side (or even the center, its certainly to my right though). It also doesn't occur unless the car is actually moving and a large enough force is applied to the brakes. In other words if I'm just coasting < 5 mph and apply brakes, I don't believe it occurs, nor does it happen if I apply slight braking at high speeds, only if I apply a sufficient force to the brakes. Based on the above information, I imagine the sound is the pad sliding slightly in the caliper. Can anybody confirm this, or suggest another reason for the sound, or anything I should do. I've checked to make sure the caliper mounting bolts haven't loosened. And have even had the wheel off once quickly (to retighten caliper mounting bolts) and didn't notice anything obviously wrong. Thanks for any help you guys can give me.

Reply to
Andrew Sasak
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Well, something is loose or worn out.

The pads don't shift in the calipers at all, if they can, they are not in right.

I would be looking close at other front end parts or shock bushings or control arm bushings or maybe even just a worn out anti sway bar bushing if you have an anti sway bar. Even a bad engine or tranny mount can make a clunk.

Mike

86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00 88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's

Andrew Sasak wrote:

Reply to
Mike Romain

Could be, I know they can slide in the caliper some before the caliper is put in the bracket, maybe they weren't in the caliper exactly right. I'll have to check.

I sure hope not... I'm not considering that, since it started immediately after replacing pads and rotors.

Reply to
Andrew Sasak

The pads can slide side to side in the caliper, that is how they fit on and move as they wear, but no way they move end to end.

An end to end movement would be needed for a clunk when hitting the brakes.

If you have end to end play, you have the wrong pads.

I suspect the new brakes are grabbing hard as they wear in like normally happens and are 'showing' you worn parts that you didn't know were worn.

I also will say if that is the case, then after a few miles the clunk will mellow out or go away.

Then the new stress from the grab, could also be 'the straw that broke the camel's back' on a bushing or other part causing it to up and fail or in the case of a bushing split.

That is not an unusual thing to happen after a repair on a 10 year old vehicle. New parts can push old ones over the edge. A sharper deceleration angle on the vehicle can blow out or crack a dried out shock bushing, etc....

Mike

Andrew Sasak wrote:

Reply to
Mike Romain

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