Please help. I have a clunking noise coming from the front calipers when going over bumps. took off the front wheels to find that the rotors are not secured to the car. what i mean is that when i take the front wheels off i can move the rotor and caliper around freely and replicate my clunking sound. its as if there is nothing holding on the caliper and rotor assembly except the lug nuts keeping the wheels on. i suspect the previous owner took an extreme shortcut and did just enough to sell me the car. "buyer beware". i have tried to show pictures of the rotor so it may help in diagnosing my problem. thanks in advance for any help http://members.***.net/merplastic/corvette.htm

 

There isn't anything holding the calipers to the car except the lug nuts.

This is standard these days.

As for the klunking, I don't know. Are all the rest of the bolts tight?

 

SORRY TO SHOUT, BUT I STRONGLY DISAGREE

The roters are held by the lug nuts, BUT the calipers are secured to the steering knuckles through caliper brackets that are bolted to the knuckles!

If you are experiencing calipers (not roters) that are loose, you have a potentially dangerous problem!

The calipers are secured to the caliper brackets through the use of guide pins or guide bolts, if you have an 87 not sure what system you have, but either one does the same thing..they allow the caliper to slide in and out applying pad pressure to the roter.

The pins and or bolts can wear or corrode and you can get some "slop" in the caliper. The pins and or bolts should be replaced whenever you replace pads just to be sure they aren't worn. They aren't expensive and I believe the brakes are the one system you can't afford to cut corners with.

You may also experience some "slop" between the pads and the calipers if the anti rattle springs aren't properly installed on the pads. This will generally cause a klunk when you step on the brakes.

Like I said...if you are experiencing serious, rotational caliper movement, not just slop, get to a shop right away!

:seeya

:steering:


[Modified by jackdaroofer, 8:44 PM 8/6/2003]

 

Is it both sides or just one?

More than likely you are missing one of the retaining clips that keep the pad from sliding around.

you can see the clip in this picture



Each pad should have one.

 

You are missing the pressure clips that hold the pads in place to the pad brackets......check other sides inner and outer and that should solve your problem.

Kitt

 

On my computer at home it takes forever to download large files because I'm working on a phone modum. It looks like your caliper is mounted on the bottom side of the rotor. I've never seen a caliper mounted that way but I've not see every model car made either. Is that what I'm seeing or is my computer playing games with the image? You said the caliper was loose and you could move it around. Something is definately wrong. You should not be able to move the caliper anywhere no matter how small the movement. It is mounted solid to a bracket that bolts to the steering knuckle. You're missing some bolts. Pull the other front wheel off and look at it and see if there is a difference.

 

thanks for the responses. the problem is on both sides and its a 1991 vert. i sold the 87 :) just took another trip out to the garage. i can pull on the rotor on both sides and the caliper has alot of free play causing the clunking. if its possible can someone post a picture of a 1991 or similar caliper so i may compare with mine to see if i'm missing parts?

 

I assume this is on the '91. Very common problem, very easy fix. See this link:

http://home.earthlink.net/~olylt1/An...tle_clips.html

 

thanks for all the responses, i'm going to pursue the anti-rattle kit and see if that solves the problem. do i need to take the pads off to put the anti-rattle kit on?

 

Not entirely... you need to remove the circlip and retainer pin at the bottom, then just swing the caliper (with pads attached) out of the bracket enough to put the anti-rattle clips on. Very easy :D

 

I just had this very same problem and it seems that the last guy to assemble the caliper/pads didn't clip the retainer on properly. The fix took 5 minutes... and no cost....very cool. I used to frighten small children when I went over railroad tracks...now, nice and silent! :lol:

 

thanks to everyone that replied and special thanks to jason for the pic and part no. installed them today and it is nice and snug now. cheap fix if you know thre right thing to buy. long live the forum :cheers:

 

Glad you found the problem. Wish I could take credit, but Oly is the guy who wrote the web page :cool: