Hello to everyone and I hope all your cats are purring.

I've developed a "clunk" in the right front wheel area that only occurs when stepping on the brake and coming to a stop. I don't hear it when applying the brake to slow down from 50MPH to 40 (as an example), only upon stopping. It doesn't happen in reverse and stopping, going over speed bumps or any other types of bumps.
I've read all the posts on sway bar bushings and am leaning towards this as there is no record of them ever being replaced but there is a record of the sway bar "drop links", front shocks and upper mounts, right and left wheel bearings, both upper control arms and bushings, both lower control arm bushings, and both inner and outer tie rods all being replaced within the last 20K miles.

Any ideas on my clunk?

 

Anyone?

 

Sway bar bushings or even a 'missing link' sound like good places to look first. get under the car and poke around and see what moves that shouldn't.


Most tire shops will do a quick inspection at no charge if you ask.

 

That does not sound like the sway bar bushings. On mine you could feel it on uneven road, and you could feel on the steering something eas missing. Did not make a difference on braking that much.

Anyway, you can check both bushings from the top with the hood open. I replaced the RH side that was missing, and it was not expensive..

 

As it only happens on braking, you need to recreate the scenario with the vehicle stationary to be able to troubleshoot the clunk.

Get the front end up on stands so the load is off the suspension then have an assistant apply the brake and hold it on whilst you check for play in bushes / bearings / caliper.

Graham

 

Hey guys! Thanks for the responses.

I don't understand what you meant by "missing link", Cat but on the next day that there is no prediction for a "wintery mix" of precipitation here in southern Virginia, I'll jack it up and use your suggestion, Graham.

Thanks again and I'll report back with my results ASAP

Nick
97 XK8 vert

 

Breaking what?

 

Sway bar end link...

 

Yeah, I thought I was the missing link.