Another suspension clunk question

[Sandals]

Just get my calipers replaced yesterday and then today I am getting a clunking sound whenever I put my foot on the brake, I put it down to the brakes since they had just been sorted so dropped by the garage and they looked at it immediately. After them looking at it for the best part of an hour, checking various parts, cleaning various bits and couldn't find anything wrong, they seem to think it is suspension related.

It doesn't knock when going over bumps or anything, only does it when I apply the brakes. It's booked in for a week on Monday but it would be greatly appreciated if anyone has any ideas so I can jack the car up and wiggle bits to see if I can replicate the clunk!

[MJP02]

Could be cheap pads, if the backplates are slightly to small they will move back n forth in the carrier this would give the clunking noise. an other thing would be very obvious as would require lose wheel bolts like discs moving if the bolt holes are to big etc.

pop a wheel off, remove the spring plate off the calliper and see if you can move the pads around with your fingers easy. if you can that will be the noise. 

Other could be worn ball joint, wishbone bush, list is quite big, easy way to check. jack car up take wheel off, using a small pry bar see if you can create movement in the joint your checking, use moderate force only. If you find one bush or ball joint failing make sure you replace the same component on the opposite side of the car.

[Sandals]

Def not the brakes, the calipers were replaced but the discs and pads were not (pads are brembo) as they were replaced in January.

They did point out a few months ago that there was a small amount of play in my anti-roll bar bushes... could be that?

[stants]

Could be droplinks the oem ones are crap. We're any anti rattle clips or shims put back correctly ?

[Sandals]

I would imagine so... my brakes used to squeel but that has gone now. I'll give the drop links a shove and see if it clunks. Cheers for the input guys!

[stants]

You on the plastic bone type shape ones or the newer shape ones ?

[Sandals]

1 hour ago, stants said:

You on the plastic bone type shape ones or the newer shape ones ?

Of drop links? Think these are the ones on my front... http://scoobyworld.co.uk/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=39_274_322_345&products_id=2640

[Sandals]

After a lot of googling... it seems this is a surprisingly common issue and it mostly points to brake pads. Apologies for righting that off so quickly!! I've ordered a new set of caliper pins because they are pennies so will give that a shot, could be because my old calipers were genuine subaru ones and the new ones are WRX Pro so could have a little bit more room for manouvre? 

[Mr B]

Don't rule out suspension as it easy to have a look/check, would expect droplinks or d-bushes etc clunk on some bumps etc too .

Always good to assume nothing & test everything on stuff like this and more so when testing quick & simple. point on pads/caliper valid too but if don't seem obviously sloppy won't be easy encourage the garage along this route without suspension A1 order first ... good luck ...

[Sandals]

Fixed! It was the brake pads... when I held them I was able to wiggle them slightly, so took them out checked everything and reseated them, seemed pretty solid, went for a drive and no clunk! I did however notice that one of the pistons is missing a metal ring, see pic below... it's the bottom right piston. Anyone know what it is and should I be worried?

[savage bulldogs]

It's the spring that holds the dust cover in place ,so not too much of a problem and cheap to replace [emoji6]

If it's not broke .....upgrade it 😊

[Sandals]

Cheers Savage, I'll get onto my garage on Monday and get them to sort it as it was them that supplied the calipers!!

[MJP02]

Glad it was an easy fix :)

[Sandals]

Me too!! I was dreading having to spend more money... just find it funny that the garage couldn't find any issue and I immediately found movement in the pads!

[Sandals]

aaaaaaand the clunk is back... must be working a little loose after fitting... I'll try with my new caliper pins and metal plate and see if that resolves it...

[MJP02]

Yeah if that doesn't work you will either have to live with it, swap the pads or make a shim to remove the movement 

[stants]

Or just spend 12 quid

http://importcarparts.co.uk/parts-info?id=4797&cat=96&sub=97&sec=223&var=26&dc=0&gen=&searchKey=&searchPart=

[Sandals]

27 minutes ago, stants said:

Or just spend 12 quid

http://importcarparts.co.uk/parts-info?id=4797&cat=96&sub=97&sec=223&var=26&dc=0&gen=&searchKey=&searchPart=

That's exactly what I've got on the way! Got them for 9 quid delivered from an eBay seller

[Mr B]

doesn't always cure it as some sloppy pads just don't pair well with some sloppy calipers .

good chance it will ...

[Sandals]

It's a shame as they are Brembo pads and they were fine in my old calipers, does look like the original pins and metal clamp were used so will no doubt benefit from getting replaced

[Sandals]

After even more research it is looking likely that the culprit is the caliper pin metal clamp thing... apparently the curvy end of it should be at the top of the caliper, whereas mine are upside down... 

[MJP02]

Ah that wont help :) yeah get the springs fitted and hopefully you will be sorted

[Sandals]

I'd never noticed before which way they were so had no reason to believe they were the wrong way around. Quite embarrassing for the garage since they inspected the car for the best part of an hour when i went back with the clunk, only for them to say that it wasn't the brakes and must be the suspension!!

[Sandals]

Def sorted this time.... only clunks ever so slightly going in reverse, I can live with that. Here is a before and after pic!

[Sandals]

So the garage are replacing the entire caliper as they cannot get that single dust cover clip separately!