Front End Clunk Over Bumps? Brake Caliper?

[BRUIN8124]

Friday I was taking an off ramp and coming to a fairly hard stop. I heard and felt a hard clunk/thud. That is when all this began...

There is now a clunk/rattle in the front passenger side when I go over bumps. It does not do this when hitting bumps on the driver side.

This is the odd part. My brakes were fairly spongy before. Now the pedal has firmed up. I can still stop ok.

I believe it is a loose or busted brake caliper in the front driver side. Could it be anything else? I really have not had a chance to look in there yet. I plan to this afternoon.

What do you guys think?

I guess my big question is... How much roughly am I looking at to get this fixed?

 

[DZNUTS]

It could be any number of things. The last thing I would look at is brake calipers. Check all of your suspension bushings, ball joints, sway bar end links, etc


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[sockeyesalmon]

check your sway bar bushing and barend links

 

[BRUIN8124]

Thank you guys! Would any of those have an effect on my brakes? I really appreciate the input!

Hopefully I will know more when I can get the wheel off after work today.

 

[DZNUTS]

Any number of suspension issues could easily cause brake inconsistencies as well. Also be sure to check wheels bearings while you have it on jack stands


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[TowMeOut]

The brake calipers ride on a pair of pins. It's not uncommon for those pins to get corroded and/or the caliper and this junction point binds up a bit. You might have had some kind of binding issue that's now popped loose with the hard brake. Unfortunately, it may have freed up or possibly bent/broke one of the guide pins (unlikely but possible I guess).

There are "anti-rattle springs" that keep the pads held in position. One of those might have snapped from age/corrosion and now the brake pads are rattling around in the caliper.

However, I'd agree with the other folks. Clunking and banging is almost always from some kind of worn suspension components.

 

[iBison]

Like salmon said check your sway bar bushings, front and rear.

 

[BRUIN8124]

I got in to it yesterday afternoon.

The rotor actually busted. I have never seen that happen before.

The rotor itself separated and was free to spin around the hub/axle. That explains the bang over bumps. The caliper was fine and would grab the rotor as designed. The wheel would just keep spinning though. Aside from that, the rotors were in good shape. Weird...

Off to NAPA after work today. I am due to replace the pads all around. I will do that while I am in there.

Thank you again for the responses.

 

[BRUIN8124]

What size rotors would an 03 Sport 4WD have? NAPA has 2 sizes. Anyone know off hand?

 

[theoutbackdream]

I got in to it yesterday afternoon.

The rotor actually busted. I have never seen that happen before.

The rotor itself separated and was free to spin around the hub/axle. That explains the bang over bumps. The caliper was fine and would grab the rotor as designed. The wheel would just keep spinning though. Aside from that, the rotors were in good shape. Weird....

Wait.. What??? Have pictures?

 

[BRUIN8124]

I will take some pictures when I fix it.

 

[AuSeeker]

What size rotors would an 03 Sport 4WD have? NAPA has 2 sizes. Anyone know off hand?

Measure your rotor to be exactly sure, they will be either 319mm (just over 12 1/2") or 338mm (right at 13 5/16"), I believe the Sport has the larger rotor but check to be sure.

 

[BRUIN8124]

 

[djkurious]

Holy rotor Batman!

 

[iBison]

Something doesn't quite look right in that photo...:wow:

 

[theoutbackdream]

holy crap dude.... Was there any other damage done?

 

[BRUIN8124]

holy crap dude.... Was there any other damage done?

Luckily none. I did end replacing the front calipers along with the pads and rotors.

The calipers were in pretty rough shape. Mostly from age and rust.

I have not had to touch the brakes on this thing yet since I have owned it, so it was due. Now I have piece of mind. I will tackle the rear rotors and pads this weekend. Hopefully those calipers are ok. The parts cost are adding up. This would have been real pricey at a mechanic shop.

 

[vastano]

were these oem rotors? how many miles?

 

[BRUIN8124]

were these oem rotors? how many miles?

I am not sure. They were on there when I bought it. So there is at least 60K on them. I tend to doubt they were OEM. Aside from the break, both front rotors were in pretty good shape. It boggles my mind as to why it may have failed like that. Poor metal maybe? Air pocket?

 

[boondocksDrew]

If you drive on a lot of salted roads maybe just that 90 degree angle where the rotor meets the hat rusted through?