Popping sound coming from front calipers
 

So my brakes have been acting up a little bit lately. The brakes have been pulling some to the right, but nothing too bad. It usually pulls when u have to apply the brakes for a distance- like if your coming down and exit ramp at high speeds. The other day i was driving round slowely, and i kept hearing a poping sound coming from the left side wheel, didn't think much of, just figured my brakes needed to be replaced cus they had been sqeaking too. Well, yesterday, i was racing my buddy, and we had to slow down quickly for a light, i had to brake pretty hard, my right front wheel must have locked up cus i started going sideways. I stopped sideways bout 15 feet from the dudes bumper, in the middle of the road. Needless to say, this got my attention finally that something was screwd up with my brakes. I figured that it had something to do with the popping noise, but i was also thinking it might be something as simple as a brake hose that had a bubble in it on the left side. Pulled the front wheels off tonight and the brake hoses looked fine. The pads are good, no fluid leaks, didn't have a chance to mic the rotors but they didn't look too warn. So i started the car up and pushed the brake pedal to try to pin point the poping noise i was hearing-- it seams to be coming from the left side caliper, the right side pops too, but its not nearly as bad. SO, i guess my real question is, what is it that caused my right side wheel to lock up?? and what is causing the calipers to pop??? Do i need new calipers on the front??? Or could it be something as simple as just bleeding the breaks??? Thanks for any imput u might have... Steve

oh yea, the car is an 88 gtu with 4 piston calipers... Steve

I have a simiar problem with the popping noise. Only when I break moderately hard it pops. I don't feel any pulling or anything, but I have been very weary of my breaks. I can sort of feel the popping when I press on the break pedal, and the noise is coming from the right rear wheel. I do know that pulling is can be caused if the pads are put on uneven or wrong (maybe, correct me if i'm wrong.)...anyways.. anyone else have any input??

Yea... its usually when braking pretty hard. Although, when the brakes warm up, u dont have to press down as hard to hear them pop... Steve

Mine was popping when I had 2 seized pistons.

remove the slider pins and clean and lube eveything. that needs to be done quite often. I need to do mine again now.

if it's still there. you proabably need new calipers.

I'm having the same problem with my '89 Vert (hopefully stock, I bought it used, no idea what the brakes are, assuming stock). Anyway, someone please figure this one out...I use my car everyday for work...so I kinda need to make sure I can stop....pizza customers don't usually appreciate it when you go through their yard. :doh:

Ive heard a bad ball joint can cause that sound?? Not too sure though.

Your right that a bad ball joint can make a popping noise when stopping, but this is a popping noise that is audible even when u hit the brakes at a dead stop. Steve

Check lining for uneven wear left and right side. When you pull the pads out, try pushing each piston in. It should move in without a great deal of effort. If they don't, rebuild calipers. Lower pistons usually will be the offenders because of condensation in lower part of caliper. If everything looks ok, clean and lubricate sliders.

Well... pulled the calipers off, none or the pistons were frozen up so i just cleaned and lubed the pins and little springy things. The poping seams to be about the same, not sure if it is still pulling or not. I will find that out when i get to drive it round some this weekend. I'll keep u guys posted.

I get a similar noise coming from the rear area of my car. passenger rear, only when i apply the brakes. from like 20 MPH to a stop. i have had the breaks checked out.. (put the car up on stands, put in gear to roll tires applied brakes and the noise is coming from somewhere in my suspention. The whole tire moves up and down while applying the brakes (obviously only seen while car is up in air)

What would cause my suspension to move up and down when brakes are applied? the noise is very ANNOYING.. i've tried everything to get rid of it.

I do need new shocks/struts. the whole rear of my car will bounce like a basketball if taking corners at "spirited driving speeds"

any idea what could cause this?

-markus

just a thought check your wheel bearings, my friends '88 has dead ones and it makes that sort of noise almost like CV joints on a FWD car.

I have the same problem on my NA. It is a out of round piston. It will come and go but when it pops your brakes will not respond smooth. Mine used to come and go but it hasnt gone away for a while. Usually after hard use it will start again. You will need to replace the caliper.
If you take the caliper off with the line still in and a rotor in you will be able to change the sound by twisting the rotor against the caliper.
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