Clunking sound while braking

I was told by my mechanic that both front pads and rotors and drivers side front caliper needed to be replaced.

I purchased duralast gold pads, duralast gold rotors and a Brake caliper made by Brakebest. I installed everything but accidentally got lube on the ceramic face of the drivers side pads. I wiped it down and put them back in. Put the wheel back on a went on a test drive.

HERE IS THE PROBLEM:

When I slow down I hear a rhythmic clunking noise as the truck comes to a stop. It does not pull either direction. I only hear this noise front the front left.

I tried to fix this issue by putting the old pads back in and wiping down the rotor some but I'm still hearing this clunking sound. If anyone can help me out with some suggestions that would be awesome. I'm really close to taking everything off, cleaning and starting over. If not I guess I'm headed to a mechanic to shell out some more $$.

 

Is the clunk coming from the front or rear? These trucks are known for axle wrap. Makes a clunk and slight shudder.

 

Do the pads have a lifetime warranty. If so remove them, take them in for a new set. I did this on my frontier when I put the pads in backwards. Took them out three days later and got new ones for free.

 

Did you grease/lube caliper pins? You may have a bad caliper. This is similar that happened to someone I know on their vehicle. They installed new calipers and had same issue. Your clunking didn't change when you switched back to old brakes so, you can rule out brakes.

 

clunking might be bad UCA or LCA bushings, its been driving me nuts. I ruled out brakes, bearings, etc.

 

Try scuffing the rotor surfaces and pads with 120 grit sandpaper.

 

Yeah I mean it
Was a brand new caliper that I bought. Could it clunk if grease got on the rotor ? I mean it’s just weird because I did pads and rotors on both fronts. Only the caliper was on the front left where the sound is coming from. I torqued the caliper bolts to spec as per chilton. It almost feels like I’m getting a sticking sensation from the front left as well when I pull off from a stop sign just after I’ve done a hard test brake. Sticking pads? Sticking caliper pistons ?

 

its not the brakes

 

It didn't make this noise before you changed the brakes correct?

 

Correct. But I had just had tie rods and left front wheel bearing done by a mechanic a week before with no sound after that

 

Did you bed the brakes in? I found that the truck would shudder when they are brand new and not worn in with the bed-in procedure yet.

 

Umm not a shuddering but more of a clunk in a cyclic pattern. As if it happens at one point in the rotation. Which makes me wonder if it’s a caliper problem... rotor... or pads. Sucks man I just want one thing to run smoothly

 

Why did your mechanic suggest to replace it all in the first place? What were the symptoms?

If you still have your original OEM calipers, try putting those back on.
OEM is always better that aftermarket chinese stuff.

 

Try this!
I had a clunk in my brakes when I first did them and it was just because I didn’t bed them in properly. I’m pretty sure @Prayn4surf had the same issue.

Don’t worry too much about the little grease you got on it, I think you just need to wear them in a little.

 

I felt like such an idiot when someone asked me the same question, like my mind jumped out of my head and had to be slapped back in place. New rotors n brakes require a break in procedure to properly “bed” the brakes. Listen to the senior in highschool @BartMaster1234 he knows better than most haha

Read the instructions for break in. It should be on the box that the pads came in

 

Did it sound like the rotor was slipping, and hitting your lugs? Thats literally what mine sounded like, quite unlikely, and definitely NOT the problem...scared the shit out of me. Do the break in procedure, it will go away.

 

Could be the wheel bearins
could be your control arm bushings

I don't think it would be the rotor loose because the wheel lugs have to be tight on already or else the wheel would've fell off by now but I will still suggest checking this too.

 

No I didn’t try bedding them in yet and only bled the caliper that I disconnected. I guess I’ll bleed in order. The reason the mechanic said to replace them was because my rotors were too thin for regulations and the caliper had a frozen piston.

 

I wouldnt drive too much on them without bedding them, it will cause improper seating of the pads and will possibly warp your new rotors. Takes 15-20 minutes...