Brake "clunk"

[LHM]

Has anyone noticed a single clunk noise when you apply the brake pedal after putting the car in reverse? The same clunk then happens when you go forward and apply the brake pedal once. Ive owned this car for just over 4 months and always had this noise but am only now wondering what the hell it is?! Pads moving in the caliper perhaps? The VW dealer I bought this car from fitted new front discs and pads before I bought the car.

[Astonbarlow]

I had the exact same noise. Mine was the cause of the rear brake pads being worn with about 30/40% left. When put in reverse you could hear the clunk then when back into drive the same clunk again. Its the pad moving inside the caliper. I ended up changing my rear pads and the noise has been gone ever since. Its a pretty easy job to do and there's a fair few tutorials on here explaining. Any questions just let me know.

[LHM]

I had the exact same noise. Mine was the cause of the rear brake pads being worn with about 30/40% left. When put in reverse you could hear the clunk then when back into drive the same clunk again. Its the pad moving inside the caliper. I ended up changing my rear pads and the noise has been gone ever since. Its a pretty easy job to do and there's a fair few tutorials on here explaining. Any questions just let me know.

cheers mate, appreciated. Having done a further search on the net, this seems a VERY common noise across a lot of VW's. My noise comes from the front im sure (I will check again later) I had new front genuine discs and pads fitted appx 3000 miles ago by VW. I will double check to see if the noise is coming from the front or the back.

[Astonbarlow]

Yeah its quite common. I could never work out where the noise was coming from but I was convinced it was my brakes. The fronts were practically new so I decided to do the backs first because at worst I had new rear brakes pads... luckily that solved it and been quiet ever since. I cant stand knocks/rattles/vibrations on my car so I feel your pain with things like this!

[Astonbarlow]

If you do have the time to have a look. What I did notice was the pads were stuck quite firmly in the calipers because of corrosion/general crap build up. I would suggest just taking the current pads out and giving the caliper a nice clean up with a wire brush and re-greasing the sliding section and back of pad. I reckon that would solve it, I just changed the pads at the same time seen as you've done most of the work.

[LHM]

If you do have the time to have a look. What I did notice was the pads were stuck quite firmly in the calipers because of corrosion/general crap build up. I would suggest just taking the current pads out and giving the caliper a nice clean up with a wire brush and re-greasing the sliding section and back of pad. I reckon that would solve it, I just changed the pads at the same time seen as you've done most of the work.

mate its funny you mention the pads stuck on the rears, this seems to happen A LOT to my rears especially after the car has been stood overnight and its been raining, OR, after I have washed the car then I come to use the car some time later the rear pads are stuck to the rear discs. Does this mean I need new rear pads/discs??

[Astonbarlow]

That seems quite quick for the pad to be sticking to the disc. Usually that happens after a few days of standing but not had it happen overnight. Could be the discs are a bit pitted and retain surface rust easily. Its not really much to worry about as you'll remove the surface rust once you've used the brakes a couple of times. Like I said, if you have the tools id definitely recommend cleaning up the caliper and re-greasing. you'll also get a better look at the pads and disc so you can make a decision from there if they need replacing. Let us know how you get on mate.

[LHM]

That seems quite quick for the pad to be sticking to the disc. Usually that happens after a few days of standing but not had it happen overnight. Could be the discs are a bit pitted and retain surface rust easily. Its not really much to worry about as you'll remove the surface rust once you've used the brakes a couple of times. Like I said, if you have the tools id definitely recommend cleaning up the caliper and re-greasing. you'll also get a better look at the pads and disc so you can make a decision from there if they need replacing. Let us know how you get on mate.

i really appreciate your input mate, many thanks.