clunk when braking

[green_rider]

There seems to be a 'clunk' noise when braking, it sounds almost like the tank is loose and being jolted, but i've checked and it's mounted firmly. What would the next thing to check be? It brakes fine and the suspension travels smoothly.

[limax2]

I would start by checking the caliper bolts and check for any free play in the steering head bearings. Also anything loose under the seat like a chain and lock or spanners. Good luck.

[Fazerider]

It's possible that the pad retaining springs are a bit loose allowing the pads to get jiggled back a bit while you're riding, when you apply the brakes they then clunk forward to their normal position at the front of the caliper slot. There is a mod some folks have done to the springs to improve them, but I've not seen pictures.


If it's not that, worn steering head bearings can give a similar effect under braking.

[darrsi]

I had a set of front discs on a while back that had a bit of play in them where the buttons join the inner and outer parts that caused a clunking noise, other than that i'd check head bearings.

[Fazbaz]

It's possible that the pad retaining springs are a bit loose allowing the pads to get jiggled back a bit while you're riding, when you apply the brakes they then clunk forward to their normal position at the front of the caliper slot. There is a mod some folks have done to the springs to improve them, but I've not seen pictures.


If it's not that, worn steering head bearings can give a similar effect under braking.

The spring locates the pads centrally in the caliper, every time the brake is applied the pads move forward ( or back depending on the direction of travel  ). It could be that the caliper is worn at the leading (front) face causing the metal part of the pad to slam into a groove and the mod Fazerider talks about won't work as the caliper is knackered 

Hope not though..... Baz 

[green_rider]

It was the head race bearings, just in case anyone finds this thread through search, they were in an appalling state as it turns out!

[Gnasher]

It normally is.

[reillypadraig]

My own bike has the same problem, bearing aswel, only find it though from the shed to the road when I stop there a clunk, but it won't happen again for the rest of the ride even under heavy braking, tightening it up won't help( makes it worse) just replace it for peace if mind, that where ill stop with the advise as I still haven't got round to doing my own yet lol

[noggythenog]

Only just learnt about these head bearings myself this morning,


Talking to my old man,he's got an fz6 & his keeps coming loose & apparently over tightening them can bugger them up too,he's gonna tighten up once more then if it happens again he's looking at replacement,his bikes only done 16k miles.

[Gnasher]

Keep coming loose!!!

Head races should not come loose I think you mean are wearing, just retightening will do little just increase the wear rate!

You need to replace them asap when you do ensure they are correctly greased and then torqued to the correct spec, which gives you an amount of play the paly is for the grease!  Over tighten them and all you are doing is pushing out the grease they then wear.
 

[noggythenog]

Keep coming loose!!!

Head races should not come loose I think you mean are wearing, just retightening will do little just increase the wear rate!

You need to replace them asap when you do ensure they are correctly greased and then torqued to the correct spec, which gives you an amount of play the paly is for the grease!  Over tighten them and all you are doing is pushing out the grease they then wear.

Sounds like good advice to me


Ill give him a call & pass it on


Cheers