Rubbing sound when braking

What age of transit? Is the rubbing noise continuous when it happens, or is it just brief (ie a second or so). Also does it sound like a grating noise, or more a metal rubbing noise.

Possibilities are - Brake pads worn. Wheel Bearing. Bottom Rear Wishbone bushes (transit 2000 only) Anti-roll bar link snapped.

That's the possiblites I can think off straight away, but there are many more.

Doesn't have chav oversize alloys on it? ;-)

Thanks for the suggestions. It's N reg 1996. The noise only lasts for an instant - at a stretch I could describe it as dull metallic thud - if that helps.

The wierd thing is it only makes this noise when the front right is under compression AND I then go over a bump. If I go over a speed bump a bit fast the noise doesn't occur.

Is it possible to diagnose this by looking under the van or does it need to go on a ramp etc..

Cheers PJ

Sounds very much like the bottom ball joint. You need to jack the van up using a jack under the wishbone itself, lifting the wheel just clear off the ground. Then using a lever under the wheel, lift the wheel up and down. Any play in the ball joint will become apparent by the knocking and movement off the wheel. It might also be the anti-roll bar link. The bolt is known to snap. If you look at the wishbone, the antiroll bar comes out (bolted to bottom off chassis), then there;s the link that connects it to the wishbone. Check both sides, and there should be a plastic link with a bolt through.

If it is the ball joint, get it sorted ASAP as due to the suspension design, the ball joint will seperate, the wishbone will hit the ground, and the wheel will go where it shouldn't. I've seen quite a few transits do this. And if you take it to a garage, make sure they jack it under the wishbone. If they jack it up under the chassis like any other vehicle, the play in the ball joint won't be apparent.

Thanks for all your help.

I took it to a local garage and they had a look. The big coil spring had broken - probably caused by all the speed bumps around here. It's still supporting the van but I guess it's able to move a bit which is where the noise is coming from. £76 to get repaired but at least it puts my mind at ease.

Cheers PJ