Front Brake Problem ?

[Guest Aussie Phil]

I am posting this issue in case someone else has experienced the same thing.

 

Earlier this year, the Gal brake pad warning light came on at 30K. I contacted the local Ford dealer who said they couldn't do it for 10 days so I dropped it in to a local clutch/brake franchise and got new front pads same day. All OK again. Probably not "ford original" parts but no damaged discs.......

 

After about 5000 miles I noticed a metallic "clunk" coming from the offside front wheel whenever I was manouvering back and forward. Only a light touch on the brake pedal would cause the noise and only at about 1-3 mph. At about 7000 miles, I now had the same noise from both front wheels. The "clunks" got louder and louder and quite frankly, it became embarassing :( but brakes worked fine and no warning alarms. Just odd looks from passers - by.

 

Dealer couldn't duplicate the noise (as usual) but I managed to get a "technician" into the car park for a demonstration. "Never heard that before" he says. :D

 

"Sounds like the pads are moving in the caliper", I say. "Dunno" he says.

 

Anyway new pads and caliper clips later its all OK again for the moment. Can't see any difference in the pad size, design or dimensions from Ford pads. Pads are not worn hardly at all. No reason given by Fords. I guess "dunno" is still the official response.

 

Any ideas?????

[Richmond]

I had something similar on a Volvo; turned out that an idiot replacing the hand brake cable had failed to tighten up the caliper mountings properly (he might even have left a bolt off) and under braking the calipers moved with a clonk. All looked well while the car was not running (until you suspected that the clonk was coming from the calipers).

 

It was a Kwikfit bloke who found the problem; it took him the thick end of an hour and he didn't charge for it.

[seatkid]

Agreed, loose or missing bolt...