clunking noise from brakes?

[Clemens]

I´ll give Volvo a call tomorrow. The ones Skandix has for 5,65 are probably not Volvo but aftermarket (http://www.skandix.de/de/fahrzeug-teile ... t/1003080/)

[DeadEric]

I still doubt the diff is the culprit. Can anyone confirm that you can hear the gears click when changing the tire spinning direction with the wheels off the ground?

Can confirm.

[Clemens]

Thanks, DeadEric, that leaves the ugliest possible cause out of the game.

My local parts guy tells me how great Textar brake pads are. I might give them a try, I am tired of the Indian-made dustcreators Volvo sold me anyways. Less than 100 km after cleaning the rims they are dirty again. Maybe they fit better.

[DeadEric]

If the pads are the culprit, they will move in the bracket and you should be able to make them click. Without hardware between the pads and brackets, it's possible 20+ years has worn grooves that allows them to click. I wish I was close to you so I could look at it and confirm.

Something is making the noise and this one has me scratching my head a bit.

[Clemens]

When we had the car on the lift during safety inspection (which it once again passed w/o problems) we noticed that the inner pads on both sides (left and right) had some play, basically it looked like they were too small for the guides. you could move them a few mms with a scredriver easily.
We all just could not imaigen that them moving would make the car clunk. But maybe they have so much play that they kinda get stuck in a weird angle if I brake hard enough, and then they need extra force to come loose and thereby clunk (as opposed to slightly tapping the pedal where they click getting on and off the pedal).

Hm... thinking about that: Maybe that is what also creates this kinda slow takeoff the moment I hit the gas after coming to a complete halt.

[Joey786]

I recently bought a set of 4 Akebano pads and 4 Zimmerman disk from FCP Euro as a package. I had a local mechanic where I paid $200 for labour to install it. After the install I noticed there was a clunk noise randomly when I brake. If it is the brake calipers being too small is this a safety issue? Can I still drive the car with my kids? Why would FCP Euro sell me the parts saying it will fit I even called to confirm. I thought it maybe the tire rod end or engine mounts. When I took it back to the mechanic he said he couldn't find any problems. I had taken it to him at 6:30am when the car was still cold. I noticed when I drove down to DC as the noise became more frequent too.

[Clemens]

I honestly think that are production inaccuracies. After all those years all brake calipers are well used, and even refurbished ones use the old casting.
That is, what I believe, the reason for thw clunking. 2 years later my front brakes still clunk but that has not been a safety issue so far.
I started to care less about weird noises after my wife insisted that we buy a well used Volswagen Multivan (Eurovan for some markets) ...

[scot850]

It may be the caliper bracket guides are worn. I have seen how bad these can get and it is where the pads sit on the little slider. New caliper brackets?

Neil.

[Joey786]

Thanks Neil, I took it bk to the mechanic who installed them he couldn't find any problems. So I ended up booking my 90,000 miles service at a main Volvo dealership in Westchester, NY. I couldn't seem to find any Volvo specialist Garages in NYC or Westchester. As part of their service they check they brakes and generally the whole car. I thought since I bought the car In the summer, I may as well have them check it over. Any major expensive repairs I will obviously go elsewhere. Hoping it's something simple with the brakes. I ended up with a new problem seems like the power steering pump is making strange noises when the car idles. When I originally opened the fluid reservoir it was quite brown and dirty. I've topped it up seems to be okay so far, however when I am in full lock of steering makes a squeaking noise. Not sure if maybe the dirty power steering fluid has blocked flow of fluids. If anyone has any recommendations for a Volvo specialist in and around the NYC area please let me know.

[scot850]

Sorry can't help with the specialists in the NY area. Try PM'ing Abscate as he knows a few shops in the NYC area.

If the power steering fluid is that color it needs to be flushed and replaced. You may be surprised how it improves things. At least then you will have a good baseline to start with. In Canada Volvo's normally have a major service at 96,000km which includes most fluid changes. Don't recall if steering fluid is swapped then or not. Transmission oil changes at 50,000 miles.

Sounds like it is passed due. We have many owners who decline recommended service work and pass it on to the next owner who usually never gets told it wasn't done. We bought one of our cars from the local dealer. They neglected to tell us the trans wasn't flushed. I found this out much later.

Good Luck!

Neil.