Stab the brakes = strange clank...huh??

[2ndGen420A]

Got a new noise as of Saturday afternoon...hoping you guys can shed some light on this for me...

On my '95, I'm running the following:

Stock wheels/tires
Eibach Sportline springs
KYB adjustables

When I stab the brakes hard and for a brief moment, I hear a clank. Yes, just like that. Stab brakes, and then "CLANK". This sound is coming from the rear passenger side, and it occurs ONLY when I stab the brakes. Gradual braking does not produce this noise. I pulled the wheel, and started looking. I found the following things that COULD maybe cause the sound I'm hearing:

1. Caliper has lateral play. I loosened and then retorqued the caliper guide pin bolts...caliper play remains.

2. Upper control arm bushing is severely deteriorated. No excessive play noticed. Of course though, I am not physically capable of reproducing the force that my Eclipse can generate on this bushing.

3. Sway bar end link bushings have considerable play. I can move end link 2 1/2 inches with my index finger and thumb...

Any thoughts guys?? I'm thinking if I can't figure this out, I'm going to replace ALL bushings in the rear end with Energy Suspension parts and see if that doesn't fix this problem....

I can't really see the sway bar making this type of sound. Shock is still good, and tightened to specified torque rating. Could the play in the caliper be doing this? I still think that's a strong possibility...

Anybody who can help will be greatly appreciated!!

 

[RSTsoon]

mine does the exact thing, i just ignore it.

 

[2ndGen420A]

Weird huh??

One thing I forgot to add earlier is that I also hear this sound when I hit a MASSIVE pothole or I'm on a seriously bumpy road..

But everyday driving on everyday roads and highways doesn't generate that noise...

Only massive potholes or bumps...

It's bugging me because this sound just started, so SOMETHING'S not right...

Anybody else have this problem and end up finding the culprit?

 

[RSTsoon]

Well we both got a 95 n/t....but i dont hear sounds over pot holes.

 

[2ndGen420A]

It's weird, isn't it?
I was all set with just hearing this noise when I stabbed the brakes, but driving through some construction on I-70 in St. Louis I hit a pothole and heard that same clank.

My first thought was, "Oh dang, now it COULD possibly something else.."

Grrrrr....

 

[2ndGen420A]

Anybody else have any light to shed on this little problem?

 

[4G63luvr]

is there a muffled screame too, your girlfriend may still be tied up in the trunk, nah, I'm just kidding, it defanitally sounds like those bushings are doing it, any excessive play in those could result in the sway bar banging around, you did a great job on actually giving details, most people are like, uumm, my car makes noises, what is it, oh, do you have stock suspension?

 

[2ndGen420A]

It's all good man....that muffled scream doesn't even bother me anymore. My girlfriend's been back there for awhile now but she's doing fine. I give her food and fresh water every night, and let her out every other day to run around the yard...

I'm thinking I'm going to try new swaybar bushings and some new end links, just to see what that does. If that doesn't do a darn thing, I'll keep replacing/upgrading the bushings until I have no more stock ones remaining....

If THAT doesn't fix it, I'll post back here again and rant some more.

Thanks 4G

 

[4G63luvr]

Do you have stock suspension? yup, sway bar bushings are the problem, believe you me, hope that fixes it, they aren't expensive and they are pretty easy to put in, hay, if I were you I would look into some polyurethane ones, might as well upgrade while your there, pm me if you need to know where are the cheapest to get them if you decide to, good luck,
Chris

 

[2ndGen420A]

As far as my suspension goes, I have the following:

Eibach Sportline springs
KYB adjustables

All bushings are still stock (and apparently in need of replacement).

When I do replace them, I'm gonna try and use Energy Suspension parts....definitely polyurethane.

Gonna PM you real quick too, Chris.

 

[Drewcool2]

I've got the same exact problem. Lol, another 95 N/T. Whenever I hit the brakes, or drive on bumpy roads I have to listen to that "clanking" on both my rear wheels (mostly my back driver side) My suspension is all stock though, but looks like I'll be replacing the bushings.