The wheels on the bus go click, click, click...

[fishlow]

('97 D1 140k) I still have a clicking noise coming from the front end while under way. It stops when the brakes are tapped, without letting off the accelerator. It's noticeable up to about 30mph and then gets drowned out by road noise. There is no difference when turning vs. moving in a straight line.
I've replaced the wheel bearings, springs on the caliper, and brake pads that were coming apart. 2 reputable "houses ala Rover," who will remain nameless, have looked at it with some head scratching. I've searched the board and read the posts, but the brake thing has me scratching too. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

 

[no694terry]

i'm thinkin worn u-joint at the diff, a cv would sound different in turns. maybe when you hit the brakes while on gas it lodges it somehow and makes it stop.

i might be the only person to answer though since you didn't mention a year, miles, anything that could help draw a picture, im guessing its a 97 d1 with 130k on it.

do the 97's have the u-joints with grease fittings, my 99 does so i just keep them greased up.

 

[fishlow]

atriot: Thanks, I was editing post as you were responding. D1 '97 140k.

 

[bmn1965]

Had a DI that was making a noise like that ended up being one of the front brake pads moving back and forth.

 

[lrcb40]

Had a DI that was making a noise like that ended up being one of the front brake pads moving back and forth.

Yup - me too. Changed out cv's and found that it was the pads being lifted by the rotor which is slightly warped and 'picking up' the pad - because the springs don't push the pad back enough to clear - the pistons are stuck, but that's another story...

 

[fishlow]

Thanks! I was hoping the new pads would have helped, but...click, click, click. One pad was pulled from its backing and scored/ cracked. Maybe the rotor is warped and caused the pad to get funky. The front rotors and pads were about a year old. This started right after the starter was replaced in December.

 

[Mud&Rox]

take the pressure of the tire (jack it up) and see it the tire has side to side play (not rotational) you may have not got the hub tight enough when you replaced the bearings. I've seen this happen ALOT...and does you brake pins still have good springs on em?

 

[fishlow]

Thanks Mud&Rox. I will look. The springs were just replaced this week.

 

[Tammaru]

Were you ever able to stop the brake pads from clicking? I've had that problem forever and can't get it to stop, tried different brand pads, new springs, tightened the hubs down to spec, etc, etc. If you were able to stop it, please post how! Thanks.

 

[lrcb40]

Were you ever able to stop the brake pads from clicking? I've had that problem forever and can't get it to stop, tried different brand pads, new springs, tightened the hubs down to spec, etc, etc. If you were able to stop it, please post how! Thanks.

Check the brake caliper pistons to see if they retract freely. Mine were sticking, so they just kept the pads in contact with a slightly out of true rotor, hence the pad was lifted once per wheel rev. = clicking...

 

[Tammaru]

Thanks, I'll check it. They're brand new, I just went to the D90 front brake setup a few weeks ago so I would hope that's not the case. It did it with the old Disco calipers also.

 

[d1driver]

Turn to the left or right all the way in a parking lot and stomp the gas and spin the tires. If a CV is bad, you should hear it click. With your windows down of course. This puts your truck drivetrain under high stress, so be careful. If a u-joint is iffy, it might blow it out!