Aggravating clunk when I hit the brakes

Scruffy · Post by **Scruffy** » 27 Feb 2022, 11:35

Hi, I have a 2006 S60 2.5t, and I'm trying to track down the source of an aggravating clunk. I get it when I press lightly to moderately on the brakes. It sounds like it's coming from the right side, front and back. I don't feel it through the brake pedal, so I doubt it's the brakes themselves.

Brake pads and rotors are new as of 6 months ago and have no vibration or noise. Left rear caliper was replaced due to partial seizing. All 4 sway bar end links are brand new. No abnormal play in ball joints or control arm bushings, nor in tie rod ends.

I just checked the brake hardware, and caliper bolts and pins are nice and snug. Springs are still in place. Struts don't seem to have abnormal movement or wear to the seats or bearings... well, not that I can see from under the hood.

I'm thinking it's a suspension part, since it does it only the first time I brake, and not subsequent times until I stop. Occasionally I'll get a fairly loud thump from the front right wheel well while accelerating and turning at low speeds, but this is not consistent.

I'm going nuts with this. Anybody have any ideas about what I should check? Anything I may have overlooked?

Thanks!

Post by **gnalan** » 27 Feb 2022, 12:34

Sounds like it might be a CV joint going bad. Check the CV boots for any rips/tears with grease coming out.

Scruffy · Post by **Scruffy** » 27 Feb 2022, 16:01

Yeah I considered that, but all CV boots are in great shape; no tears at all. It's also rare that I hear noise when turning a corner, so that's why I'm leaning away from a bad CV joint...

Post by **erikv11** » 27 Feb 2022, 16:18

"Front" engine mount is up there next to the passenger side wheel. It is a common failure item and can lead to the engine clunking back and forth. Inspect by putting on jack stands and removing the passenger side wheel. Lots of videos out there for replacing this mount if you want more info. Also check the torque mount on top of the engine, both could be bad.

Scruffy · Post by **Scruffy** » 27 Feb 2022, 17:59

Another good suggestion, and I'll check it again as soon as the weather cooperates! I just did the big, front and rear (or left and right depending on your perspective) motor mounts this summer, since they were old and hard. It helped with vibration and noise for sure. I had a look at the "front" mount near the passenger side wheel and it looked pretty good (not sunken down, not separated) but who knows? It could've gone bad since then. The top mount was replaced recently with an OEM one, and there doesn't seem to be a lot of play in it.

I'll add this one to my list, for sure!