Single knocking sound when braking.

[jtvang125]

This only happens once when braking in either direction. So if I'm going forward and brake I'll get the knock but won't on any successive braking while going forward afterwards. The moment I brake while backing up it'll knock and knock once more when I brake going forward again.

I'm thinking it's the rotors moving when the brake pads grabs. The guy who changed them recently said it's the front brake pads that are moving slightly within the calipers. Who is right and how come this doesn't happen with other cars?

 

[PricklyPete]

Where is the knock coming from...the front of the car?

 

[Vette73]

Year, Make, Model, and milage?

 

[CraigRT]

For me, that noise was a bunk lower control arm bushing.

Single knock forward or reverse upon brake application.

If the pads are actually moving enough to make noise, someone forgot the shims.

 

[Bignate603]

For me, that noise was a bunk lower control arm bushing.

Single knock forward or reverse upon brake application.

If the pads are actually moving enough to make noise, someone forgot the shims.

I've got the same thing right now on my cherokee, it's bad bushings in the eyes of the leaf springs.

 

[CraigRT]

I've got the same thing right now on my cherokee, it's bad bushings in the eyes of the leaf springs.

I believe that.. Same sort of idea on a car with struts not leafs

 

[Gibson486]

I have this problem too. Happened right after i changed my brakes and rotors. I just dealt with it.

 

[StageLeft]

I have this problem too. Happened right after i changed my brakes and rotors. I just dealt with it.

Forever...? That doesn't sound right.

Unless you did not tighten your lugs properly there's little chance in my eyes of a rotor shifting back and forth hammering the edges of the studs and it seems unlikely the caliper is moving.

If this sound is coming from front you could jack the front of the car up and try and generate the sound with a friend. You could even run the wheels a bit and then hit the brakes to see if you can replicate it while jacked up and perhaps localize the sound better.

 

[Gibson486]

Forever...? That doesn't sound right.

Unless you did not tighten your lugs properly there's little chance in my eyes of a rotor shifting back and forth hammering the edges of the studs and it seems unlikely the caliper is moving.

If this sound is coming from front you could jack the front of the car up and try and generate the sound with a friend. You could even run the wheels a bit and then hit the brakes to see if you can replicate it while jacked up and perhaps localize the sound better.

I brought it to the dealer to get it inspected when i got my last oil change before my warranty went. they said everything was fine. Maybe it is a testament to how useless that dealer was.

 

[Greenman]

I had the same problem, one of the bolts that holds the caliper on had fallen out, allowing it to swing back and forth and hit the rotor or rim.

 

[CraigRT]

I think this thread has now helped the OP determine that a noise like that can be caused by many things.

Key is to go in looking for play, and test everything you see.. Brake parts, suspension parts, etc.