Why Does My Car Make A Clunking Noise When Braking At Low Speed?

Whenever you buy a vehicle, you expect it to work flawlessly until you decide to replace it. That is, however, not often the case, and small problems do occur due to wear and tear. For instance, after a couple of years, your engine could start overheating, or electrical systems will start acting up.

These problems are common and, thus, easy to solve with an auto shop visit. The same goes for the annoying clunking noise when braking at low speeds. However, it is helpful to be knowledgeable about all possible issues, so let’s explore the topic in-depth and look at things in greater detail. 

What Causes The Noise To Appear?

The short answer to this question is that it’s probably your suspension. The particulars, however, involve various components such as arm bushings, shocks, or steering stabilizers, which all may be causing the noise. 

But other possible causes may include front brake rotors, which are slightly out of round and need repairs or old wheel bearings that cause too much friction and make the clunking noise appear. 

Generally, all of this happens due to excessive wear and tear, with some components declining in condition. It’s a clear signal that something is wrong with the auto, and you need to get it checked out. 

7 Common Causes For The Clunking Noise

As the noise source is difficult to find, especially when doing things yourself, there’s a way to help narrow the search. After all, most causes for the clunking are common, as an average driver is highly unlikely to run into some exotic or rare issue. 

The common issues that cause the clunking noise include: 

• Worn out control arm bushes. Bushes keep the control arm in position. They can wear out over time, making the arm loose, thus causing the clunking to appear when going slow or over bumpy roads. 

• Loose wheel nuts. Another possible cause for the noise is loose wheel nuts. If not screwed tightly, the wheel moves around, making the clunking appear. To fix the problem, just tighten the nuts, but don’t overdo it, as it can cause damage to the wheel hub.

• Worn out wheel bearings. As mentioned previously, wheel bearings can also be the cause. They are responsible for smooth tire rotation and reducing friction. If wear and tear get them or they become damaged, the noise will follow shortly afterward.

• Faulty steering stabilizer. Stabilizers have a very straightforward function: they ensure your steering wheel and arm do not break during hard acceleration or braking.

• Failing endlinks. Endlinks connect the sway bar to the suspension. If they become damaged or fail, they contact other parts, which produces the annoying noise. 

• Faulty ball joints. Ball joints connect your wheel to the steering system. Wear and tear may cause them to become loose and produce clunking.

• Damaged shocks. As the shocks were extensively covered in previous articles, you may know how they work. But if you don’t, they are responsible for absorbing impact from the bumps on the road under acceleration. And, if they wear out, it may cause the noise to appear as a symptom. 

Fixing The Problem

All the possible problems or causes we mentioned can be quickly solved DIY-style. You just have to replace the worn-out parts with new ones, and you’re good to go. Here we can only advise using OEM or high-quality parts to ensure the replacement won’t cause the clunking to appear all over again. 

But if you’re unsure you can handle the repairs, drive to the nearest auto shop instead. As the cause varies, the prices do as well; thus, the costs will differ depending on what went wrong. Just make sure to choose a reputable service that uses OEM parts. 

Summary

Clunking can appear over time after car components succumb to wear and tear. While most of the time, it’s caused by old suspension components, it may also have to do with loose wheel nuts or steering wheel elements, making it challenging to find the noise source. 

If you like tinkering with vehicles, you’ll have to spend some time to find out what causes this clunking. But if fixing things is not your strong suit, driving to a reputable auto shop for some repairs is always a good solution.

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