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need some ideas about a front end noise


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i have this strange noise and after replacing a few parts still cant fix it. so heres the deal, i have this strange clicking type noise coming from the front end only after the brakes and vehicle are hot, after repeated braking, and goes along with vehicle speed (1997 legacy gt). i can here it when braking 15 mph and under, it goes away when i lift my foot off the brakes, and did i mention that the vehicle need to be warm and only start after repeated braking.. i have recently installed brembo slotted rotors, ebc geen pads, all new brake hardware from the pad clips to the guide pins, and mounting hardware, the caliper pistons are not sticking, the brake fluid is fresh, and all the lines have been flushed. the noise was there before i installed all the new brake hardware. i just put a new subaru rack in today with brand new inner and outer tie rod ends. it was doin this with the old rack in it. the steering universal joint seems ok, i had someone shake the steering wheel back and forth while i held the universal joint and and i did not feel it binding and it moved freely when it was loose from the rack today. the front suspension is fine ie: struts, springs, ball joints, there is no movement or play. the nopise is not coming from the motor. i was wondering if anyone has encountered this before, i am a technician and either me nor any tech can figure it out. the car has never been in an accident, the alignment is in spec, the wheels are tight, the motor mounts are good. i was thinking either a front axle is starting to go?, a bearing in the front diff is starting to go? (it happens if the trans is in neutral, its an auto). the fluid in the front diff is still clear and was changed maybe 15-20 thousand miles ago, i was thinking maybe the diff fluid is heating up and causing a slight bind under load. i talked to some subaru techs and they cant really think of anything after i told them the symptoms. the car seems to drive fine. if anyone has any ideas it would be helpful. i think i got all the symptoms down, but ask away and i will try to answer them.

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Bad CV joints in the axles can make a clicking sound, but usually only when turning (unless they are REALLY bad). Maybe your front CV joints don't like the stress of breaking and it causes them to get noisy. It's a long shot, but it's all I can think of.

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Bad CV joints in the axles can make a clicking sound, but usually only when turning (unless they are REALLY bad). Maybe your front CV joints don't like the stress of breaking and it causes them to get noisy. It's a long shot, but it's all I can think of.

 

 

i was thinking that too, i just could not figure out how come it only happens when hot would apply to axles, but i am open to that also, thanx

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A couple of questions

1) Did the noise start before or after the replacment of the pads , rotors and hardwear ?

2) Can you duplicate the noise with out using the brakes? ( such as down shifting the trany to put a load on the axles )

 

Waiting for your anwswer

SEA#3

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the noise was there before i updated the brakes. see, i was saving some cash to upgrade the stock brakes, but i noticed the steering wheel was vibrating some i resurfaced the stock rotors, after that i started becoming aware of the noise. then i just ordered the rotors and pads, noise was still there, then replaced guide pins, caliper mounting bolts pad retainer clips, lubed eveything up, noise still there. inspected front suspension and founf one outer tie rod end seeping a little grease, with the mileage i had i just went and bought a loaded subaru rack so everything was new.

have not tried to downshift it because i can only hear it when i just about to come to a stop, the noise a clicking/creaking type noise is rythmic (rotional type noise?) starts to slow as the vehicle slows.

 

i just added pics of my legay gt to the readers rides

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From what you desrcibe ( and i have come across this before ) if

there is a slight run out on the rotor or the hub and pads push back and forth in the caliper holder .You won't necesarily get any brake vibration at higher speed . Maybe check the run out . What type of lube did you use on the pins and the retainer clips ? I pefer using Sil-glyde. Also did you lube the contact points where the pads contact the retaier clips ?

Did you orient the guide pins correctly

Top one - solid

Bottom one - Black nylon bushing on the end

 

From your description it sounds like it in the brakes

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From what you desrcibe ( and i have come across this before ) if

there is a slight run out on the rotor or the hub and pads push back and forth in the caliper holder .You won't necesarily get any brake vibration at higher speed . Maybe check the run out . What type of lube did you use on the pins and the retainer clips ? I pefer using Sil-glyde. Also did you lube the contact points where the pads contact the retaier clips ?

Did you orient the guide pins correctly

Top one - solid

Bottom one - Black nylon bushing on the end

 

From your description it sounds like it in the brakes

i thought the rotors might be the problem, so i replaced them with brembo slotted rotors, noise still there, i used disc brake assy. lube , i lubed all the contact points and installed the guide pins correctly, caliper is free and floats normally

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Legacy 2.5

I just went to the photo gallery site and saw your ride ( very nice) I noticed the mags and had a thought . I have come across where the mag doesn't seat properly to the mounting surface of the hub and cause a creeking /binding noise

just wondering if you still have the stockers ,throw them on and see

Diagnosing a noise at the best of time when you have the car can be frustrating

Hope your level of frustration isn't elevated by all these sugestion

SEA#3

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Legacy 2.5

I just went to the photo gallery site and saw your ride ( very nice) I noticed the mags and had a thought . I have come across where the mag doesn't seat properly to the mounting surface of the hub and cause a creeking /binding noise

just wondering if you still have the stockers ,throw them on and see

Diagnosing a noise at the best of time when you have the car can be frustrating

Hope your level of frustration isn't elevated by all these sugestion

SEA#3

my frustration level is ok, i work on cars for a living (nissan). i had the rims on for the last 1 3/4 years with no problem till recently, but i will check the mating surfaces, i did not notice anything out of the ordinary the last few weeks when i keep tearing the frt. wheels off. thanks for your help, at this point i am open to all suggestions.

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