Clunking Noise When Braking : 5 Causes And Solutions
If your car clunks when you brake, there are a few things that could be the cause. Brake clunking is often caused by wear and tear on your brakes or worn-out brake pads. This can slow down how quickly you stop, which might make it more difficult to avoid an accident.
It may also damage other parts of your car’s braking system if clunking continues for too long! In this article, we will discuss what to do if your car makes a clunking noise when braking, and tips on ways to prevent clunky braking from happening again in the future.
Table of Contents
- What is a Clunking Noise When Braking?
- 5 Common Causes of a Clunking Noise When Braking and the Solutions
- Clunking Noises from the Front Wheels & How To Fix
- Why does my car make a noise when I brake slowly?
- Watch : Car Clunking Noise When Braking *EASY FIX*
What is a Clunking Noise When Braking?
This type of noise is often an indication that there is something wrong with your brakes. There are several things that could cause this problem, so it’s best to have a professional take a look at your car and determine the root of the issue.
In some cases, it might be something as simple as needing new brake pads or rotors. However, it could also be a sign that there is something more seriously wrong with your brakes, such as a leak in the braking system.
5 Common Causes of a Clunking Noise When Braking and the Solutions
A clunking noise when braking can be an indication of a problem with your brakes. It’s important to identify the source of the clunking in order to find a solution and prevent further damage. Here are five common causes of a clunking noise when braking:
- Worn brake pads – The most common cause of a clunking noise when braking is worn brake pads. When the brake pads are worn, they can’t grip the rotor as well, which causes a clunking noise.
- Brake fluid – If there’s too much air in your brake fluid, it can cause a clunking noise. This happens when the air bubbles compress and release as the brakes are applied.
- Brake calipers – If the brake calipers aren’t properly aligned, they can cause a clunking noise when braking.
- Rotors – Warped rotors can also cause a clunking noise when braking. worn-out rotors can also make a popping noise when braking.
- Discs – A damaged or loose disc can also cause a clunking noise.
How To Fix The Clunking Noise
If you’re experiencing a clunking noise when braking, there are some steps you can take to correct the issue. Here’s what to do if your car is making a clunking sound:
1.Check all four tires for damage – If any of your tire treads are worn down too low or have large cracks, they could be catching on your brake pads or calipers and causing a clunking noise. If there’s any damage to the tires, you should replace them as soon as possible.
2.Check for fluid leaks – Leaks in the hydraulic system could cause too much air pressure, which can lead to a compression of bubbles and result in a clunky braking sound. You should have your car inspected by a mechanic if you suspect there’s a leak in the system.
3.Adjust brake calipers – If the brake calipers are misaligned, they can cause a clunking noise when braking. You can adjust them yourself or take them to a mechanic to have them aligned properly.
4.Replace warped rotors – Warped or damaged rotors can cause a clunking noise when braking.
5.Check brake pads – If there’s still a clunking sound after checking all four tires, fluid leaks, and calipers, you may need to check your brake pads next. Your car manual will show how to do this and how often they should be replaced.
If you’re still experiencing a clunking noise when braking, it’s best to take your car in for a check-up. The sooner the problem is diagnosed and corrected, the less damage it will cause.

Clunking Noises from the Front Wheels & How To Fix
If your front wheel is making clunking noises after you replace the brakes or rotors, this might be due to a few things. Here are some of them:
- The bearing in the rotor was not replaced during the brake replacement process and it is bad now.
- Your car has one-directional cast aluminum alloy wheels and the rotor was installed incorrectly.
- There is too much space between the brake caliper and the rotor.
- The bolts that hold the brake caliper in place are loose.
- You need to tighten the lug nuts on your alloy wheels.
This is how you can fix clunking noises from your front wheel. There are more ways to stop this noise, but these are the most common.
- Tighten all of the bolts that hold your brake caliper in place (the one connected to the brake rotor).
- Check to see if there is too much space between your brake caliper and the rotor. If so, try filing down the edges of the brake caliper until it fits snugly against the rotor.
- Have a professional check out your bearings in the rotors to make sure they are still in good shape.
- Replace the one-directional cast aluminum alloy wheels with cast steel or forged versions of these kinds of wheels. If you have to replace them, do so before installing new rotors on your car.
Why does my car make a noise when I brake slowly?
There are several reasons why your car may make a noise when you brake slowly. One possible reason is that the brake parts have surfaces that have an impact with dirt or muddy paint.
The resulting residue can get trapped inside the rotors and brake pads, creating a squealing and hissing sound on braking. Another potential culprit could be worn-out brake pads, which create a similar noise when the metal backing of the pad rubs against the rotor.
If your car has recently been serviced and you’re still experiencing this problem, it’s possible that there is something caught in the braking system, such as a pebble or piece of debris.
Now that you know the different types of clunky noises, what could be causing them, and how to fix them, you can rest assured that your car is in safe hands next time it starts making those strange sounds. So don’t hesitate to take it to a mechanic if you’re not sure what’s wrong.
Watch : Car Clunking Noise When Braking *EASY FIX*
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