Mysterious front end noise

So I have a noise coming from my front end. The noise happens at low speeds (less than 5mph) when I hit the brakes. It usually happens twice in a double click pattern. Once when the brakes are first pressed, then again when the truck bounds back after dipping forward from momentum. I replaced the front body mount bushings thinking that could have been it. That did not fix the noise, and the mounts were fine. Then I thought it was brake pad slap, but now I don't think that it is. I think this because I can repeat the noise by pulsing the brake pedal without ever completely letting go of the brake. If it was brake pad slap, I would think that once the piston makes contact with the pad pushing it into the rotor and the slack is out, the noise wouldn't appear until the brake is completely let go of. But that is not my case. I also thought it was the shackles on the front of my SSO bumper, but that is not it. I also checked the torque on all the LCA bolts and they were good. See my videos for an example of the noise. I don't want to tear everything apart to find it. I'm also out of warranty and I'm not really the type of guy to seek help, especially this early into a problem.

 

Mine only does it when I pull out of a parking space and turn the wheel. Service dept. told me to drive it so that is what I shall do.

 

Drive it until it breaks

 

IDK I would take it to the dealership and have it recorded that you took it in for that problem.

 

If the noise is on the passenger side, it could be a defective wife or girlfriend.

Uninstalling and reverting to stock should fix it.

 

Lower control arm bushings

 

Isn't that sound something to do with the tophat on the shock tower?

I had it on my truck for like two days, then it mysteriously disappeared.

It has Mysteriously appeared several times on this forum.

 

Did you do the swaybAr relocate when you lifted? Looks like the swaybAr is hitting something .

 

Could be. Everything looks visually good but I haven't disassembled yet. Worth looking at though.

Haven't touched the swaybar. And also not lifted. Suspension is all stock.

I'm thinking it is something suspension related. I wonder if the tophat can be inspected without disassembling anything?

 

Any noises going over bumps or potholes? Any noises when steering, and not applying brakes? If the noise only presents when hitting brake pedal, have you checked the caliper or pads?

 

Sometimes I think I hear it when going over bumps, but I'm not sure if it's the same noise. It's also easiest to duplicate when hitting the brakes like I was able to do in the videos.

 

It's called Brake pad shift, a known issue and well documented on here. I went to three dealerships myself, and one even recorded it with a GoPro during a test drive and showed me. I even get the sound after letting off the brakes and hitting a bump. You're fine

 

The sound is actuallly made all of the time as the brake pads float, even over small bumps, we just don't hear it since it's so quiet https://youtu.be/88wj6MJMRqk

 

See I heard a lot about that. I originally thought that was it too. But I can get it to happen if I pump the brakes, but don't fully release pressure from the brake pedal. If it was the pads being loose, then the sound shouldn't appear once the pads are in contact with the rotor, right?

 

I understand your thought process. The pads aren't actually 'loose' but instead have a intentional 'floating' design, so it isnt a tighness problem and that is why pad shifting still occurs after you have applied the pedal to the rotor, the pads are just shifting into intended placement even though they are already making some contact with the rotor

 

Interesting. I can live with the noise if it's normal / can't do anything about it. It's just driving me nuts because I can't remember if the sound has always been there (bought the truck used 6 months ago, so things are always in the back of my mind). Would new pads and adding an additional retention spring fix the noise even if temporarily? If it did and then it reappeared I'd be okay with that. I would just like to confirm that it is indeed the source of the noise.

 

I've just started noticing that on mine also. Truck is a month old and started happening 3-4 days ago. Only happens when i first start the truck after it has been sitting, put it in drive, pull forward and turn the wheel to the left. Does it only once on entire drive even trying to duplicate it, then only again after sitting. Weird.

 

Mine developed 1 yr in on my 2016, and I've been looking for solutions since but haven't found any. I wonder if the people who did the Lexus Brake upgrade have the problem

 

Maybe it’s another automatic tranny issue.

Just kidding.

When I get in my truck, I’ll listen for the noise. My truck is 2 weeks, 650 miles old.

 

Would the brake pads make that noise when I pull out or back out of my parking space the 1st time I turn my wheel? It don't do it that I can hear turning to make a corner here in town. Just when I pull out of the parking space and turn my wheel.

That sounds like the sound mine makes. Just the 1st time I turn the wheel either way. Then after the truck sits, even just to go into walmart or a gas station. That 1st turn of the wheel makes that noise 1 time.

I'm trying to not let it bother me. Just sucks it is a new truck making a noise.