mikeshoup Posted February 5, 2007 Share Posted February 5, 2007 I started getting a clunking noise while braking. Then I broke a DOJ on my axle. I thought that was the clunking noise. Replaced the axle, but the clunking noise is still there. What could it be/what do I look for? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeneralDisorder Posted February 5, 2007 Share Posted February 5, 2007 From most common to least common: Check for Loose axle nuts. Check for loose calipers, and caliper brackets. Check the radius rod mounting bolts on the control arm. Check the strut to knuckle mating - the pinch bolt and the tab bolt. Anyway - those are the most common in my experience. GD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WoodsWagon Posted February 5, 2007 Share Posted February 5, 2007 I had a clunking noise once. It was a loose bracket bolt, which turned into a missing bracket bolt, which then turned into a scraping-grinding noise as the caliper swung out into the wheel. It wasn't fun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank B Posted February 5, 2007 Share Posted February 5, 2007 Rear drums or discs? I have had clunking from rear drums, but a proper adjustment cured it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeshoup Posted February 5, 2007 Author Share Posted February 5, 2007 Rear drums or discs? I have had clunking from rear drums, but a proper adjustment cured it. Rear drums, but its definitely from the front p/s disc. I'll double check to make sure everything down there is tight. I loosened a lot of the stuff to change the axle (my first time, and couldn't figure out how to do it), so I could've missed something. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeshoup Posted February 7, 2007 Author Share Posted February 7, 2007 I'm a dumb sh**. It is clunking in the rear drums. I'll try and adjust them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeneralDisorder Posted February 7, 2007 Share Posted February 7, 2007 I'm a dumb sh**. It is clunking in the rear drums. I'll try and adjust them. The early EA82 rear drum mechanism is self-adjusting. Easy upgrade if you don't have a set of discs around. You drive backwards and give it a couple good hard stomps to set the self-adjusters. Hell of a lot easier than adjusting the shoes every few thousand. Of course if you have a set of discs that's even better. I love having the discs on my Brat - I haven't touched em in 25,000 miles. GD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john in KY Posted February 7, 2007 Share Posted February 7, 2007 Rear drums, but its definitely from the front p/s disc. I'll double check to make sure everything down there is tight. I loosened a lot of the stuff to change the axle (my first time, and couldn't figure out how to do it), so I could've missed something. Hub splines damaged or maybe that beveled washer was installed backwards? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank B Posted February 7, 2007 Share Posted February 7, 2007 If they are adjusted and still clunking, then a rebuild is in order. Get a brake hardware kit. It will have all the springs and nails needed to rebuild the rear drums. Those springs wear out like everything else on an old car. Usually you will get a chatter if the nails and corresponding springs are worn. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeshoup Posted February 8, 2007 Author Share Posted February 8, 2007 Adjusted them today, and they're still clunking. I'm going to rebuild them (the hardware kit is like $20...). Then maybe later invest in some rear discs. I don't mind adjusting them, as it'll be part of my every other oil change tune up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zebisko Posted February 8, 2007 Share Posted February 8, 2007 I had the same problem with mine, the brakes wore out, and all but 1 spring snapped. Did exciting things to the drums, let me tell you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeshoup Posted February 11, 2007 Author Share Posted February 11, 2007 I bought the hardware kit and new shoes, thinking that was all the problem was going to be. I got the drums off, and both wheel cylinders needed replacing. You could squish them and brake fluid would squirt out between the seals. Yummy. Everything inside the drums was covered in this black goop. No wonder the brake fluid level was low when I bought the car Called around, and no one had them in stock except for a Autozone about 15 miles away. Each cylinder ended up running $14.99 each. Finally finished doing both brakes today. Now am just waiting on a roommate to wake up so I can bleed the brakes. Yay. Total Cost: Shoes - $20 Hardware Kit - $18 Wheel cylinders - $30 Total: $68 Would I have taken it into a shop to do my brakes, I would've paid well over $500, I'm sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank B Posted February 11, 2007 Share Posted February 11, 2007 You can bleed the air out of the brakes yourself and get just as good results, I have done it for years and years with no ill effect. I have a 20oz plastic soda bottle that I drilled a small hole in the cap, just big enough to get a piece of clear vinyl hose into and still small enough for the tubing to be tight in the hole. I can't remember what size hose it is, maybe 3/16", jut big enough to get onto the brake bleeding screw and about two feet long. You push the hose all the way to the bottom of the bottle and pour in a bit of brake fluid to cover the end of the hose. Put the hose on the bleeder, open it up 1/4" turn. Sometimes gravity will help and start the flow of fluid into the hose, especially if you remove the reservoir cap. Then pump the brake pedal about 6 to 10 times but not too much to suck all the fluid out of the reservoir and put air into the master cylinder. Check the bottle and look at the funky fluid that came out. You can check it after one or two pumps and you may catch the air bubbles in the clear hose. Refill the reservoir with fresh fluid, repeat procedure untill you see clean fluid in the hose. The fluid in the bottle will be sucked back into the brakes as you release the pedal, not air. That's why you put fluid in the bottle to start with. Do this with all four corners and your done. No need to pump up and have two people. Or you can just buy a hand held vacuum pump with reservoir and suck it out through the bleeders. good luck and remember to get a quart or two of brake fluid, you'll need it. You know what, I think I'll do this to my hatch today now that I'm motivated! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now