knocks when braking and reversing

coupe · 10-23-2002, 09:15 PM

I have noticed many time that everytime I brake hard , I hear these knocking sounds which come from the front and rear suspension... Has anyone experienced these sounds??!!

It does it when I reverse quickly into a parking spot.

Coupe

Lawrence Coppari · 10-24-2002, 03:44 AM

If could be the brake pads shifting in the calipers. Mine does it when I brake lightly with a change of direction. Lets out a fairly loud clunk, especially from the back. Has done it ever since I put PF race pads in it. It is just one clunk per wheel.

Z-man · Z-man's Garage

I experience similar noises, and I also believe it's the brake pads shifting inside the caliper.

-Z.

Scott R · Scott R's Garage

I have had the same problem for about a year now. And I have posted the same question before on this board.

I have replaced to date: Struts, shocks, brake pads, rotors, wheel bearings, sway bar bushings, caster blocks, sand strut mounts.

Guess what? I still had the noise! So I finally got the thing up on my buddies alignment rack and we watched from underneath as an assistant backed it down the ramps and then braked. It turned out that this weight transition was moving the lower ball joints, which flexed the control arms against the caster blocks. This caused the knock.

This knock sounds like it comes from under the floor somewhere, and since you hear it in the control arms it does not seem like its coming from the front or the back of the car.

So here were my symptoms, and BTW I do have a bit of noise from the brake pads moving in the calipers, most people do. But it does not make a noise like this did.

1. When braking at a stoplight and moving forward, usually at a pretty good speed which I would consider hard braking. You get a knock as the weight transitions from front back and the car settles at a stop.

2. When backing out of my driveway, which is at a slight incline and braking you get a knock.

If yours is anything like mine, suspect the ball joints. They can me worn and still seem to function normally. Anyway it may just be your pads, but I am posting this so others do not have to go to the expense that I did to solve the problem.

coupe · 10-24-2002, 09:29 AM

"When backing out of my driveway, which is at a slight incline and braking you get a knock. "

Hey there Scott, the symptoms you describe sound exactly like what I have noticed in my 944 Turbo.

So as I understand, you finally changed your ball joints and the noise stopped...let me know..

Thanks
Coupe[QUOTE]

Fiat coupe 20v Turbo 1997 (alive and kicking)
944 Turbo 1986 (alive and kicking)

Volvo 960 (sold)
Harley d. Softail custom 1996 (sold)
Nissan NX 1992 (sold)
Toyota, Totota...whatever!! (sold)

Scott R · Scott R's Garage

Yes, actually I only replaced one side at first. I replaced the passenger side A-arm since the noise seemed louder under the passenger's feet. And then the noise finally went away.

ae1969 · 10-24-2002, 12:48 PM

Since I changed to the turbo calipers all around. I finally experienced this so-called knocking.

For me it only occurrs when backing up. It is loud and definitely hard to isolate, but it only occurred when I switched to the new calipers, so it may just be the brake pads.

I will try and figure this out in the spring.