Abrupt braking/clunking noise after washing?

So, I just washed my Tacoma for the first time, and when I braked to park in my stall, it was very abrupt and made a loud clunking noise from the front end. I wasn't going fast (she's my baby and has only 415km)... I backed up and pulled into the stall again, and the same thing... I drove 'er around the block and parked, and everything was normal again.

Has anyone had this happen before? I'm assuming it's something to do with water in the braking system up front, maybe an ABS issue due to water? I'm not that concerned about it, though it is below freezing, and if there's water where it shouldn't be, then thats no good...

 

Mine has done it before... Not every time, but I almost think the pads get stuck to the rotors.

Your situation sounds a little different if you were able to get it to happen twice. Hopefully someone will chime in and can explain it better than me...

 

I was able to get it to happen 6 or 7 times, while I had a co-worker try to find where the noise was coming from while outside the vehicle.

 

Bump. Anyone?

Thanks for the input, Ben.

 

Mine Does it too. I always thought it was b/c of the degreaser I used on the wheels that got on the pads and rotors...pretty much happens almost everytime I wash my truck.

 

It's slight surface rust forming on the rotors. It goes away when you drive around the block because your pads clean the rotors off. Normal on all vehicles with disc brakes.

 

yep. normal.

 

I washed mine once and let it sit overnight. The next morning the truck wouldn't move. It finally broke free after giving it more gas...made a heck of a noise. This hasn't happened since but I've read other's having the exact issue. Also, I've read some have it happen after launching a boat when the truck sits in the parking lot.

 

Weirrrrd... it wasn't even dry when I moved it from the ambulance bay to the parking lot... I dono how any rust could form? I've never had an issue with my '90 and '92 Pathfinders, that have 4 wheel discs....

Strange, yet easy to ignore since the rest of the Tacoma is just so damn sexy.

Thanks for the info guys, good to know I'm not alone on this one.

 

Because there was water between the pads and rotor, it just allowed your brake pads to float a little more. Get used to the sound. You'll hear it more and more as the pads wear. It has to do with the brake design on the Tacoma which is different than most other vehicles (at least older ones). The pads slide in between the rotor and caliper (without removing the caliper) and then two pins slide through everything holding them in place. When you use your brakes going forward, the pads slide down against the pins. Then if you reverse directions and backup, when you hit the brakes they shift up against the pins giving you a clunk. Going forward and hitting the brakes the first time after backing up will give you the clunk again. Completely normal.

 

Awesome. Thanks for the info everyone, thanks Moose.

I facking love this site.