Clanking Wheels

jayclover · September 8, 2008

Can the wheel hub bind with the brake hardware causing a clanking/clicking noise? I have a clanking noise coming from what seems to be all four wheels and for the life of me cannot pin down the source. So here's what I know.

It sounds like metal to metal
It's rotational (once per revolution of the wheel)
I do not see an visible signs of rubbing around the hub/brake assembly, but I have not pulled the brakes off
It's louder when turning and pressure is put on the wheel
More prominent in front wheels
Wheel lugs are torqued to spec (140 lbs)
It's not as loud but still exists when lug torque is backed off from spec (say to 110 or so)
20" aftermarket wheels
I have replaced one of the hub assemblies in question
The sky is not really blue…
I'll have to pay taxes 'till I die…!

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

CamaroDave · September 8, 2008

I had a similar problem and it turned out to be the emergency brake rattling in the rear disc set-up.

Zembonez · September 8, 2008

Great post. Funny too.

Have you tried installing factory wheels (if possible) to see if the noise goes away?

jayclover · September 9, 2008

Well I know it's not the e-brake cause I just had a complete brake job and nothing came up there. Clanking before...clanking after... Plus, it seems to be coming mostly from the front wheels. And the stock wheels are out of the question too, since they got a new home a couple of years ago.

jayclover · September 11, 2008

Anyone...? Anything...? Helloooo...? <crickets...>

Zembonez · September 11, 2008

Anyone...? Anything...? Helloooo...? <crickets...>

LOL! Crickets.

I still say the ONLY way to know for sure is to swap wheels with another truck for a couple of miles. I believe the sound is in your wheels. Of all of the other trucks I've had and seen written about in here, nobody has complained about that particular issue,

jayclover · September 30, 2009

For those that care...after going down several paths to uncover what was causing my clicking/clanking/popping mystery noise, it appears that I have found the cause. The center cap that covers the bolts on each wheel seems to be shifting slightly in the wheel housing. And when it does it makes the popping noise. It only happens when there is a load on the wheels so I'm assuming the wheels flex to a certain extent. Seems pretty chinchy for a $700+ wheel, but what do I know...? Each cap also seems to have a wheel that it prefers to be on since the noise goes away for the most part depending on the configuration.

So there you have it...if you have stuck with my ramblings this long, congratulations, you have something completely useless to pass along to all your friends...!

Now back to your regularly scheduled program...

empirezclub · September 30, 2009

I had a chrysler that had a clunck/clincking noise from the brakes. It turned out to be shims missing between the calipers and the pads. The shims came with most brake pads but they were seperate extra items for the particular pads that were installed. Maybe this will help!

asilverblazer · September 30, 2009

Plastic center caps on my old blazer did the same thing. I couldn't narrow it down to one rattle per revolution though.

jayclover · September 30, 2009

I had a chrysler that had a clunck/clincking noise from the brakes. It turned out to be shims missing between the calipers and the pads. The shims came with most brake pads but they were seperate extra items for the particular pads that were installed. Maybe this will help!

The brake hardware was one of my many "roads" and it turned out to be a dead end, but I went down it just to rule it out. Everything there was buttoned down tight...!

empirezclub · September 30, 2009

I had a chrysler that had a clunck/clincking noise from the brakes. It turned out to be shims missing between the calipers and the pads. The shims came with most brake pads but they were seperate extra items for the particular pads that were installed. Maybe this will help!

The brake hardware was one of my many "roads" and it turned out to be a dead end, but I went down it just to rule it out. Everything there was buttoned down tight...!

Glad to see you found the problem:)