1990 Chevy Suburban Drivers side front wheel noise

1990 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN
160,000 MILES • V8 • 4WD • AUTOMATIC
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6.2 DIESEL
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Hello
My suburban makes a loud clicking sound coming from the drivers side wheel during breaking, no sound during driving. I replaced the break pads but the sound did not go away. The clicking is loud and seems to be one click per revolution. It does this in 2wd and 4wd.
Help!
Pete
Aug 18, 2009 at 4:06 PM
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PEAR69
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Check (or have ) the brake rotors checked for warpage and proper thickness. Also, make sure the caliper slide pins are properly greased with high temperature caliper grease...
Aug 18, 2009 at 5:00 PM
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6.2 DIESEL
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Hello pear69
The rotor is perfect it spins freely and straight through the pads. I lubricated the slide pin when I installed the new pads. It seems like the noise might be coming from the hub or the u joint, but I am not sure which and why it would only make the sound during breaking.
Thanks
Pete
Aug 18, 2009 at 5:30 PM
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PEAR69
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During braking, does the steering wheel shake with the clicking sound? Can you feel it in the steering wheel?
Aug 19, 2009 at 2:02 AM
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6.2 DIESEL
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Hi
No the steering wheel does not vibrate. Is it possible that the u joints or wheel bearings would spin fine during driving but when the wheel is having force towards the rear during breaking they would show some type of clicking due to damage?
Aug 19, 2009 at 4:45 PM
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PEAR69
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The calipers are mounted on the upward rotational force of the forward motion....meaning that any of the braking forces associated with the front brakes will not force the "energy" towards the rear. The energy is directed up and forward as the brake is applied....If the calipers were mounted on the downward rotational force (like in race cars) then the energy would be directed towards the rear --- anyway that does not matter-------
Yes, it is possible that your wheel bearings or the u-joints are making the noise. The fact that the brakes do not pull to one side or vibrate, and the rotors are not warped, rule out the brakes...Look at the u-joints first then the bearings.
Also, look at the brake dust sheild. It may be rotted away causing the noise.
Aug 20, 2009 at 12:31 AM