'96 Jeep GCL- 'intermittant 'clunk' when braking.

[Satanta]

Jrrp has donr this off and on since I've had it. On;y happens at slow braking and not everytime. I have had to nail it hard a couple of times and it doesn't happen. The 'it' is a clunking. Sort of like coming to a stop and something catches up a half second later.

 

[vlad]

in my 95 Jeep GCL four door the jack is under the rear seat on passenger side.

Is your jack loose? could that be the clunk?

 

[Satanta]

vlad...I'll look. It seems to come from the front but that's a good start...

 

[rryan]

parking brake cable?

 

[Pathfinder]

First thing I would check.

Make sure that all of your mounting bolts are secure on the front caliper/spindle, also check the front pads. If this has done it since you have owned the vehicle, and you have not changed the brakes, someone could have installed the wrong pads.

You also should check the condition of the rear shoes, sounds to me like you have a "slack" problem in the rear.

IMHO..

Steve

 

[don24mac]

Sat, get that bowling ball out from under the back seat. Don't laugh... I've actually seen someome bring in their car for a "clunking noise" every time they put on the brakes or go around a corner. It was a bowling ball in the trunk.

 

[2x2]

Check the upper and lower ball joints.

 

[Satanta]

don...actually that's what it sounds like...a bowling ball that catches up with the rest of the Jeep after a second.


Definatly comes from up front.

I'm thinking ball joint, U-joint or tranny...OI noticed a slight jump when slowing down likw for a light but the light changes right as you get stopped abd so I step on the gas and 'think'. Not all the time but I notive it.

 

[OddOne]

Play in the pinion gear in the forward diff can cause a clunking sound as the play is taken up or let loose. You'll usually notice other noises though if that's going south, such as a grinding or clicking from the same spot that varies with vehicle speed.

Same for excessive play in the U-joints for the front driveshaft, or for excessive play in the ring/pinion themselves.

oO, who helps run an auto shop...

 

[Trek]

Is this happening in or out of overdrive?

Mine does the same, when overdrive is left on and the jeep is not fully warmed up. I live where I should remember to take it out of overdrive as soon as I start up.

 

[The Mountain]

See if the battery is loose. I had a 72 Olds cutlass that always "clunked" when going around right corners. I replaced every frickin' piece of the suspension that moved, including the steering knuckles (upgrade to front disc brakes, woohoo), and after dropping all that cash on it, the first test drive revealed the same clunk. Got out, popped the hood to see if I could see it, slid the battery out of the way to get a better view of the upper A-arm mount, and "clunk", it hit the fender. One piece of scrap lumber later, all better. The big disc brakes almost made up for all the headache.

 

[Satanta]

Will wiggle batt and check U-joints.

Trek-never thought of that. I hate the damn OD button as when I'm driving I have a hard time telling if it's on or not so I ignore it.