I think I solved the front brake clunk
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,562
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From: Palm Harbor fl.
I think I solved the front brake clunk
Many have reported of their front brake clunking on occasion when the brake is applied. Anyways, I myself have had it happen on occasion too. So I paid attention while reinstalling my front caliper. This seems to be the culpret in my case. Upon installing the front caliper the caliper can move forwards and back a little with the bolts not tightened all the way and just snug. A little play between the holes and the bolt. Upon install, I have been pressing the caliper forward before tightening the bolts. This seems to work. Press the caliper forward towards the lower then tighten and finally torque to spec. My thoughts are if the caliper is not installed this way and just tightened, the caliper can move a tad as the force of the brakes outweighs the tightness of the bolts. Try it out if you get a little clunk from your caliper. I have had no clunk since doing this while reinstalling the caliper.
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2010
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if that is indeed the cause to the clunk then wouldn't it only make the clunk noise once and then stop? I would think that when you applied the brakes after tightening the caliper it would seat in the correct position. the bolts should then be tight enough to hold it in the corrected position unless you drive home backwards, hit the brakes, and reposition the caliper to the other side
now if the caliper bolts are lose then yea the clunking will continue
now if the caliper bolts are lose then yea the clunking will continue
Thread Starter
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,562
Likes: 11
From: Palm Harbor fl.
if that is indeed the cause to the clunk then wouldn't it only make the clunk noise once and then stop? I would think that when you applied the brakes after tightening the caliper it would seat in the correct position. the bolts should then be tight enough to hold it in the corrected position unless you drive home backwards, hit the brakes, and reposition the caliper to the other side
now if the caliper bolts are lose then yea the clunking will continue
now if the caliper bolts are lose then yea the clunking will continue
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 42
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haven't noticed the clunk myself, might just be the bad hearing...... but what I meant by my comment was that if you were to center the caliper on the mounting bolts (not forward or back) dead azz centered, tightened the bolts down to 35ft-lbs, took her for a ride and hit the front brakes hard the caliper would shift to the forward position causing the clunking noise. this I understand but my question is this, when you let off the brake will the caliper return back to the dead azz centered position or stay in the new forward position? I don't think that it would return to the center position because something would have to force it back to the centered position unless the shifting action of the caliper caused the mounting bolts to loosen just enough so that inertia could change the position of the caliper, my thought is that it would stay in the new forward position meaning that the clunk would only occur one time
so again if you notice a clunking every once in a while I think you have another problem
so again if you notice a clunking every once in a while I think you have another problem
Thread Starter
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,562
Likes: 11
From: Palm Harbor fl.
Obviously I do not have another problem as it does not occur at all when the caliper is held forward while tightening.... anyway, not here to argue my solution, just present it and know it works.... do with it what you will.... many here have reported that their "floating rotor" is the cause of the noise(those that have experienced the noise know of which I am speaking of)... I say no it's the install of the caliper that does it.
Stage II
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2
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Aren't the calipers suppose to float ?
The caliper floating means that the pivot pin which is lightly greased allows the caliper to be centered over the disc, again "wobbling" ever so slightly so both pads wear evenly, even though there is a piston on only one side pulling the works together.
The caliper floating means that the pivot pin which is lightly greased allows the caliper to be centered over the disc, again "wobbling" ever so slightly so both pads wear evenly, even though there is a piston on only one side pulling the works together.
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 349
Likes: 1
From: Pittsburgh
First of all I hear the clunk occasionally.
Fishy, you're right and wrong. If the mounting bolts do allow a little slippage, then once they are pushed forward they will stay that way and clunk no more. BUT, think about when you stop abruptly or on a hill. If you don't smoothly roll to a stop and the front suspension is compressed then sprung back to it's riding position, it could be enough to pull the caliper back just enough to bring back the clunk. Or if you're stopping on a hill and holding the front brake gravity is pulling on the slightly less than 1000lbs of you and the bike, which might be enough to again bring back the clunk.
BK50, I see what you're getting at but I don't think that's what rounder is saying is causing the noise. Correct me if I'm wrong but you are (rounder) talking about the bolts that actually mount to your fork?
Fishy, you're right and wrong. If the mounting bolts do allow a little slippage, then once they are pushed forward they will stay that way and clunk no more. BUT, think about when you stop abruptly or on a hill. If you don't smoothly roll to a stop and the front suspension is compressed then sprung back to it's riding position, it could be enough to pull the caliper back just enough to bring back the clunk. Or if you're stopping on a hill and holding the front brake gravity is pulling on the slightly less than 1000lbs of you and the bike, which might be enough to again bring back the clunk.
BK50, I see what you're getting at but I don't think that's what rounder is saying is causing the noise. Correct me if I'm wrong but you are (rounder) talking about the bolts that actually mount to your fork?
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Road Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,154
Likes: 3
From: Colorado Springs
It is the floating rotor.
Have a buddy sit on the bike and rock it back and forth while you stick you melon down by the rotor. If you put a hand on it you will not only hear the clunk but feel it also.
At least that is what my bike does. Ever since I figured it out I don't worry about it and just ride.
Have a buddy sit on the bike and rock it back and forth while you stick you melon down by the rotor. If you put a hand on it you will not only hear the clunk but feel it also.
At least that is what my bike does. Ever since I figured it out I don't worry about it and just ride.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2010
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From: Suffolk, England
Only time I get this is first time after backing the bike out the garage. I figured it was due to the floating rotar or caliper moving back when I applied the brakes while moving backwards out the garage and down the shallow slope from there. First time I then apply the brakes going forward there is a small clunk and then no more after that.
Thread Starter
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,562
Likes: 11
From: Palm Harbor fl.
Only time I get this is first time after backing the bike out the garage. I figured it was due to the floating rotar or caliper moving back when I applied the brakes while moving backwards out the garage and down the shallow slope from there. First time I then apply the brakes going forward there is a small clunk and then no more after that.
Last edited by rounder; May 30, 2010 at 10:02 AM.