S_Johnson

I have an incredibly annoying front end rattle. I've searched and searched, and investigated everything people have mentioned.

It sounds like it's coming from near the wheels.

It happens on TINY bumps in the road, too small to actually travel the suspension much, or move the car at all, so it can't really be coming from the car in general, it has to be something IN the suspension/un-slung weight.

I replaced the front brake pads (they were crap anyways), and used nice pads, grease, etc...

The ball joints are brand new, and nice and tight.

End-links/bushings are all new, and very tight.

The rattle goes away if I have my foot on the brake at all.

And, this is the weird one. If the car is rolling forward (not sure about backwards), it thunks EVERY TIME I tap the brakes. I mean TAP. Like, not even remotely hard enough to throw the cars weight around, and make the suspension move. Just hard enough to "engage" the brakes, without actually influencing the cars' speed really.

I'm about to replace the struts, because they are shot, but I don't think that will fix it, because, like I said, the brake-tapping is way too light to even move the shocks.

I'm getting desperate.

sofakingdom

iTrader: (1)

Sounds to me like the caliper bushings are shot, and the caliper can rotate around the hub a little bit and otherwise sorta bang around in there.

S_Johnson

I JUST jacked up the drivers side, and had my fiance' hit the brakes while I spun the tire.

Guess what? I can SEE the caliper move relative to the caliper bolts, lol.

They bolts looked bad when I replaced the pads, but I wasn't thinking, and didn't replace them.

I'm going to replace the bolts, and see if that's the problem, but I'll check, and if it's still loose when I do it, I'll replace the caliper probably. Or can I get just the little rubber linings?

sofakingdom

iTrader: (1)

Ya useta could; don't know if you still can or not.

Those calipers have gone SKY FRIKKKIN HIGH in the last coupla years. I cannot BELIEVE how much they are now. My son had to buy some for his S truck the other day, and I damn near soiled myself ON THE SPOT. $16.99 EACH!!!! Do you realize that's 50% higher than the last time I bought a pair? (of calipers, I mean) They must be gold-plating them now or something. Iunno, that's just STOOOOPID outrageous, now nobody'll EVER fix their brakes any more.

Seriously, just buy the damn calipers. Prolly cheeeeper than buying just the bushings.

InfernalVortex

iTrader: (4)

I'll never forget the first time I did brakes and paid $25 for each rotor..... $20 for each box of pads.... brakes lines $26 for one side... $21 for the other, bearing grease, bearings, brake cleaner, gloves, etc.... and I goobered up one of my brake calipers somehow, I cant even remember, and cursed at the ground and threw tools and solemnly went to the store and said how much is a new caliper...


$15....


I'll take two, thanks.

stealtht/a

iTrader: (1)

That funny vortex, I had the same experience first time I did brakes. I was all stressed out because I stripped a bleeder screw and went to the parts store for new calipers. Guy behind they counter telling me I need to do both sides. I started to whine about my low budget. He interrupts me ;"they're $35 a pair after core". Um, yes, I'll take two please.

KWIK84

iTrader: (5)

The other thing people have a tendency to over look on those calipers is properly bending the ears of the out board pad to grip onto the caliper.

S_Johnson

I took it apart last night, and the caliper moves a TON on the pins/bolts. I put in new pins, and metal bushings, but that didn't help. I think the rubber parts are totally shot. I'm just going to replace the calipers tonight.

Also, I'll bend the ears of the outboard pad, just to be sure.

S_Johnson

Just wanted to post back.

Success!! I replaced that caliper (going to do the other tonight probably, so they are matched), and no more rattle.

Thanks for all the help!