Strange brake/suspension issue (moan/groan from front end)

[Legend_master]

I have a groaning/moaning noise when I am coming to a stop, generally only happens the last 10 to 0 mph of braking (and stops if I let off the brake). I have replaced the rotors, pads, and calipers trying to figure out the noise. I can't seem to narrow it down. All I can think is that there is some bushing vibrating (not in the steering wheel) on the sub frame, but I don't see anything loose, or worn. the noise happens on both the front left, and front right, and happens interdependently on each side. Any gurus out there have any suggestions? The car has all new ball joints (upper & Lower), inner and outer tie rods, and bearings.

[Dr_Snooz]

Do you get the groaning when going over speed bumps?

[Legend_master]

Do you get the groaning when going over speed bumps?

No (unless I'm braking) it only happens when braking at low speeds. I'm going to take apart my radius rod bushings and replace them. I stuck my finger in the drivers side radius bushing, and it felt damaged. I've replaced everything else, its driving me nuts.

[2oodoor]

I can offer some off the wall things Ive run across...
Rotors- directional design? Left and right designation or machined with a directional cut on the lathe.
Dust shields contacting the inside of the rotor down in the narrow close to the center.
Some rotors have dirctional cooling fins but look identical.
Look at pad wear, any favored spots?
Try chamfering the edges of the pads if they aren't already made that way.
Tires yes tires...
How about the dust caps for the hub on the axle side, did you use those or left them off just curious cuz I left mine off.
Have someone else drive the car so you can listen from various positions.
You have a stock suspension more or less now?

[Legend_master]

I can offer some off the wall things Ive run across...
Rotors- directional design? Left and right designation or machined with a directional cut on the lathe.
Dust shields contacting the inside of the rotor down in the narrow close to the center.
Look at pad wear, any favored spots?
Try chamfering the edges of the pads if they aren't already made that way.
Tires yes tires...
How about the dust caps for the hub on the axle side, did you use those or left them off just curious cuz I left mine off.
Have someone else drive the car so you can listen from various positions.

I've gone through 2 completely different sets of calipers, pads, and rotor. All parts were brand new, and with the first set that would make 3 total. Just to narrow out the 11" upgrade I put factory lxi equipment on last. The dust covers are not touching the rotors, I checked this today. You can actually feel the moan/groan in the chassis of the car. I'm gonna try to get a video tomorrow. The only time I've ever heard anything like this was with a car that had worn the pads completely down, and was rubbing metal on metal. Dust caps are installed. Running tokico springs and shocks on the front.

[2oodoor]

Actually feeling the moan/groan used to not be a bad thing lol
Ha, anyhow I guess actually hearing the pitch of the sound knd of helps place it to a part capable of producing it.

[Legend_master]

Actually feeling the moan/groan used to not be a bad thing lol
Ha, anyhow I guess actually hearing the pitch of the sound knd of helps place it to a part capable of producing it.

lol if only that were the case in this instance. The radius rod bushings are on backorder, so I should have an answer come next Tuesday. Another thing I've noticed is a vibration at highway speeds, between 50 an 60, the goes away till 70-75. It does not happen consistently, this is something else that makes me think its the radius rod bushings.

[2oodoor]

Pulling castor in or out according to motion thrust, that makes sense.

[Legend_master]

Replaced the radius rod bushings, now the sound is confined to just the right (both sides before) and much quieter. The bushings did not look damaged at all, but they were much softer then the new ones. The suspension/steering is much stiffer now, and I'm not getting the engine rock I had before. It also eliminated my vibration at highway speeds.

[2oodoor]

I guess now I would temporarily swap front tires right to left. Alignment before that if practical at the time.

[Legend_master]

I guess now I would temporarily swap front tires right to left. Alignment before that if practical at the time.

I'm starting to lean towards the axle or haftshaft. I think the brakes relate just by coincidence, There is a HELL of a lot of vibration coming from the front left above 85mph. Rotating tires did not help the situation.

[stat1K]

could be that one of the cvs is unbalanced. there are just too many moving parts lol... gl man

[Legend_master]

could be that one of the cvs is unbalanced. there are just too many moving parts lol... gl man

I know it is driving me nuts! I have a new axle I need to install, if that does not solve the problem the only thing left will be the haftshaft. I have not been able to find much info on symptoms of a failed haftshaft bearing. I'm hoping it is just the axle, gonna try to get that in today.

[Legend_master]

Axle did not fix the problem with the noise, but did eliminate the vibration at highway speeds. I'm fucking stumped.

[2oodoor]

Wow then there was no one solution for the symptoms! Do you have a spare set of wheels and tires or did you try that?
You're getting close, at least you got the shaking part, that would bug me the worse.

[Legend_master]

Wow then there was no one solution for the symptoms! Do you have a spare set of wheels and tires or did you try that?
You're getting close, at least you got the shaking part, that would bug me the worse.

had the tires rotated and balanced today, and I have tried a different set of rims and tires. I found that there is a slight leak from my brake master cylinder onto my brake booster. Do you think either of those failing could cause a noise?

[ShyBoyCA6]

Can we get a video?

[Rendon LX-i]

A vid would be nice. Seems to be it can be a tire issue. Low pro tires tend to soak up a whole a lot of noise. I had customers with 22-24 inch wheels then I swapped them to the original tires an took away the noise . Try to put some stockies to see if you confine the noise.

[Legend_master]

Can we get a video?

I'm working on that.

A vid would be nice. Seems to be it can be a tire issue. Low pro tires tend to soak up a whole a lot of noise. I had customers with 22-24 inch wheels then I swapped them to the original tires an took away the noise . Try to put some stockies to see if you confine the noise.

Definitely not the tires, I'm not even running low pros as well as multiple sets of rims. Plus the fact that it only happens when brakes are applied. I'm thinking maybe one of the sub frame bushings are shot. I just don't want to take them off to find out there is nothing wrong.

[Rendon LX-i]

sounds like that could be a issue.

[Legend_master]

So now that it is warmer outside I am not able to re-create the noise. I have taken a movie with audio of the area. Does not look like the rear subframe is moving. I am going to check the front next.

[Legend_master]

Alright, I captured it on film. The noise can be heard clearly at 1:03 right after a metal pop. Then you can hear it faintly at right before I come to a stop every other time. It is much louder in the car which make me think it might be somewhere on the firewall. You can hear it for a stretch from 2:29 to 2:34 as well.

[2oodoor]

Damifino but that was great lol, I need to play it on the tv so I can get the freqency of it... Weird is right. Kinda a worn spline sound but the scrape click roar is strange.
Does it matter if you're stopping with clutch pushed in or left in gear, any gear and approach the stop?

[Legend_master]

Damifino but that was great lol, I need to play it on the tv so I can get the freqency of it... Weird is right. Kinda a worn spline sound but the scrape click roar is strange.
Does it matter if you're stopping with clutch pushed in or left in gear, any gear and approach the stop?

Well its always clutched due to the fact that only happens right as I'm about to stop. You can't hear it, but the moan happens longer after you hear it. All the way till I stop completely, the camera just can't pick it up. The metal pop was new, never heard that before lol. Brand new axle, and exactly the same noise with the old axle. I'm gonna put camera near the brake booster and see if the noise is louder.

[Oldblueaccord]

Try checking the torque of the bolts that the radius arms goto the LCA or spray them with wd 40 and see if it helps.