Just got myself another subaru. 54 wrx. My brakes work fine enough but there is a "clunk" comes from them?? Anybody know what this could be??

Cheers

 

How much meat is on the pads?
Try removing them and putting some Copperease on the backs of the pad
Are the anti rattle shims fitted?

 

Mate my 04 WRX does this too. I think it's the pads moving slightly in the caliper. Nothing to worry about ( I hope !! ).

 

Handbrake adjustment

 

Mine has that as well, had the brakes off and re~grease and its stil their. I will be changing the discs and pads soon soni will see if that sorts it.

 

Does it only tend to clunk when going from forwards to reverse or vice versa?

If so it is the pad moving within the caliper

 

My 04 WRX makes a clunk noise when moving from reverse to forward, it's always done it even after an upgrade of discs and pads. Nothing to worry about, as above it's the pad moving in the caliper.

 

Is it down to after market brake/Discs then

 

Nothing to do with disks. It's because the pads are not an exact fit within the calipers and they move forwards and backwards - hence the clunk.


It's not something I'm completely comfortable with bearing in mind the forces required to stop a car although mine did stop very quickly this week when an elderly couple pulled out directly in front of me, panicked, and stopped right in front of me at the worst possible location. Not sure what gap was left once I had stopped but I'm sure I saw the bonnet bulge when the car pulled the front bumper in. They smiled, from relief probably, and drove off.

 

Mine does this aswell .. Just Brake pads ! Had it checked out

 

Its not back and forth its up and down in the caliper. They have to have a small amount of clearance otherwise they would seize in the carriers! Its nothing to worry about and perfectly normal!

 

if you have the subaru 4pot calipers then may have the small spring clips missing that clip in to the bottom of the pads that stop the pads lifting in the caliper when braking,if so they are about £1.20 a clip from subaru.

this is the best pic i have that i can show you.

 

Correct. I was thinking forwards and backwards in terms of rotation of the disks.

 

Take the pads out and check they have the thin metal plates that fit between the caliper body and the pads , this is in place so the alloy wall of the caliper doesn't wear , if these have been left out then the pads will be a loose fit and will knock

The rear WRX calipers aren't known for being noisy , the gold brembo ones can do this

Cheers Ian

 

This clunking has been happening for a couple of years without apparent adverse affect but was wondering about the following ....

I have Brembros with PF discs and new pads on the front and std discs with new PF pads on the back.

As you're probably aware the pads come with a 'shim/spacer' fixed to the back of the pads, but was wondering whether I should also try adding back in the old thin metal plates that you mention too.

I had assumed that with the construction of the pad having a similar sort of shaped piece of metal fixed to it that I didn't need to bother .... but have I been a numpty ?

Appreciate your insights.

Chris

 

I have PF pads all round fitted with the metal shims from my old pads and they still clonk.

Only does it when changing forward to backwards etc. Brakes work great at all times and recently pulled the pads to inspect them and all OK.

@ Ian - Should there be shims on the edge of the pads ? The metal shims I have fit between the caliper piston and the back of the pad but I cant see how these will stop the pad moving vertically etc.

 

Mine done this, My pads where really low fitted brand new pads and clonking gone! I'm sure it is the pads moving around inside the brembo's

 

Yes on the WRX 2 pot rears there are shims fitted into the calipers on the edge of the pads , I'm not talking about the shims that fit between the pistons and pads
Cheers Ian

 

OK Ian, thanks.