breaking clonk

[muddyjames]

when ever I break even at very slow speeds I can hear a clonk from the drivers side wheel area. I cant hear it at high speed. IT is even there when I am on tick over crawling along. It clonks then no more clonking until I next apply the break. anything to worry about?

[Thrasher]

Loose brake pad?

[muddyjames]

how do I check them? Is it just a case of wiggling them? I am guessing it isnt adviseable to drive it if it could be that.

[Tyke]

Hi Muddy,

Loose brake pad could be the cause, the calipers wear and eventually allow the pad to move around and slip down the caliper. I've had them get so bad that the pad slips right down the inside of the caliper and ends up rubbing on the wheel hub. Best to jack the wheel and give the pads a good a poking with a pry bar. Check they are sitting where they should in relation to the tabs on the pads. If they look a bit low you can asume the caliper is worn and will soon need replacement. They do click when you brake if they are worn, they also tend to rattle a lot and thats the usual give-away sign.

Another thing to check is the lower shock mounting bushes and fixing security. If the bushes are softened and worn or the fasteners are not tight enough they allow the shocker to move in the axle mounting plate. I've recently had this happen on mine and only discovered it when I had the suspension stripped to fit a set of polybushes.

It gave similar symptoms as you describe. i.e. a 'clonk' when braking. The mounting hole had actualy worn oval so it had obviously been wearing for some time. Again you will need to take the weight off the suspension to check it and a pry bar between the bottom fixing nut and shock mount will show if the shock is moving. I'd check the fixing at the top of the turret as well, just to be on the safe side.

[muddyjames]

Thanks for that. I had my suspension replaced all round early this year so I am thinking it may not be that but I will check anyway.

From what you say about the caliper though............ I span the wheel whilst changing it today in the rian (again) and I could hear the pads grinding on the disks. I only replaced the pads about a year or so ago. I think you maybe heading in the right direction. I will take the wheel off again tomorrow and have a fiddle.

Or maybe in a few mins if i get bored!

[Tyke]

I had my suspension replaced all round early this year so I am thinking it may not be that

Pads will be easiest to check but i'd be looking at those mounts anyway . . . prevention is better than cure and even with new gear on they could need a look at, they do tend to 'settle in' over time  

[muddyjames]

the disco seems to be one long settling thing!!! Once one item has settled in another needs replacing to settle in!!!  :lol:

[Tyke]

:lol:  You've got it mate . . . . one thing after another eh !!!!

[smith335]

i have a clonk when breaking as well.
i have had a look at the brake pads,they are about 8 weeks old.
if you pull hard at them they will move in the caliper.
is this ok?

i have had the front shocks replaced about the same time as the pads,but have not checked the mounts yet.

thinking about it ,the clonk was not there before the above work was done... mmmmmm best go check the shock mounts....

[Chris Putt]

If its a clonk only when you brake, can you hear a rattle when moving normally or if you go over a bump?
If so take a look at your brake pads for definite, I had a similar issue with my old fiat and it was the 'shim clips' had fallen out shortly after changing the front pads it was really annoying. shim clips hold the pad in position in the caliper and in effect allow it to 'float' between the disk and the piston when the brakes are not applied. If these are missing yes the pads will be loose in the caliper!!!
Im not sure if the same system is applied with a landrover- I guess there must be a similar thing to secure the pad and stop it rattling freely- having not stripped mine down yet (next weeks job :(  ) I couldnt say for certain!!!

Chris

[Evilgoat]

I've seen them where they have worn a groove into the hub!  :shock:

I have a clonk but thats on taking up drive, but I might check the shock mounts now.

[smith335]

Just checked the shock mounts, all seems fine there .
Must be the pads. i will get some new shims etc and fit these to see if it helps.

[smith335]

When i fitted the new pads,i used the old retaining pins and springs.
perhaps they are worn,so no longer hold the pads still?

am i barking up the wrong tree?

[Tyke]

No mate, when the calipers wear they allow the pad to drop and the springs then do nothing.

Evilgoat has seen the damage they can do. They get so bad that the pad starts wereing into the hub. eventually it could cause the disc to break free of the hub.

[smith335]

Some thing i have just noticed,in the rimmer bros catalogue it states that discos up to 93 have solid front discs,and should use split pin type retaining pins on the pads.

and from 94 onwards discos where fitted with vented discs and should use solid pin type retaining pins for the pads.

now my disco is a 94 and has solid front discs,but has solid retaining pins.

so has some one fitted the wrong discs , or fitted the wrong retaining pins?
does it matter,make any difference to the brakes?


sorry to go on ,but i like things to be right when it comes to brakes!

[DiscoCWK]

Some thing i have just noticed,in the rimmer bros catalogue it states that discos up to 93 have solid front discs,and should use split pin type retaining pins on the pads.

and from 94 onwards discos where fitted with vented discs and should use solid pin type retaining pins for the pads.

now my disco is a 94 and has solid front discs,but has solid retaining pins.

so has some one fitted the wrong discs , or fitted the wrong retaining pins?
does it matter,make any difference to the brakes?


sorry to go on ,but i like things to be right when it comes to brakes!

Mines a 95 300 tdi and it has solid discs!

[smith335]

mines a 94 M plate 300tdi ,with solid discs,so are rimmer bros wrong?

does any one know?

i can see every on runing outside to look at there discs  :lol:

[lurch_917]

i had this problem replaced the pads and it was still the same then found that the caliper was worn job done

[Tig]

I've seen them where they have worn a groove into the hub!  :shock:

Yip! Mine is exactly the same  

[Darren]

Rimmer Bros are wrong. Solid front disks were used for all 300tdi's. I'm not sure about later V8's though.

[smith335]

Thanks for the info Darren, at least i now know i have the right discs fitted.

many thanks

[Range Rover Blues]

IIRC the front pads shouldn't be able to rub on the hub as the retaining pin goes through the pad, unlike the back :roll:

[chaosego]

my pads give a little clonk every now and then when puling up .as long as they are stopping me not too worried  

[davidlandy]

I had a clonk when braking - turned out to be the front raduis arm bushes worn at the axle end.

a way to check it is to brake quite hard until you come to a complete stop, then release the brake pedal and you should feel the diff nose drop back down with a dull thud/clonk.

hope this helps

[The Welder]

Mine is a 1995, 300 Disco, just had new brake discs and pads fitted by Landranger, all solid discs, as were the old ones they took off.

[muddyjames]

I looked at my pads. The pin that holds them in looks ok and yes there is a bit of movement where the pin goes through. Since I gave them a wiggle the sound has gone now. wierd!