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Topic: popping noise left front when appling brakes

in Forum: C3 Driveline Components


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popping noise left front when appling brakes (1/19)
 10/28/14 8:50pm
chevynut
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Joined: 6/28/2014
Posts: 9

When applying brakes on my 1976 corvette there is a popping noise coming from the left front brake area. Any ideas as to what is causing this? I bought the car earlier this year with less than 55,000 original miles.

|UPDATED|10/28/2014 5:50:58 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
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Re: popping noise left front when appling brakes (2/19)
 10/28/14 10:33pm
Adams' AppleLifetime Member
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Duncanville, TX - USA

Vette(s):
#1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas


Joined: 11/8/2003
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In order of probability....
Upper control arm bushings
Ball joints
Brake caliper loose
Lower control arm bushings
Wheel bearings
Lug nuts loose

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Joel Adams
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Re: popping noise left front when appling brakes (3/19)
 10/29/14 3:22am
chevynut
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Thanks for your quick response. I'll start checking things out. How difficult is it to replace the control arm bushings?
Re: popping noise left front when appling brakes (4/19)
 10/29/14 8:16am
manchestersharkLifetime Member
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Equinunk, PA - USA

Vette(s):
1972 conv, 4-speed, 350, 200hp, numbers match, rally wheels, war bonnett yellow w/white top. good condition, nice driver.


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 Take your time, keep your eyes peeled and mind open. IF you do it, do it ALL. It may cost you a bigger amount of money up front, but in the long run SAVE you lots of time and Money. Just depends on what the problem is. The problem may present itself as you begin the disassembly. 

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Re: popping noise left front when appling brakes (5/19)
 10/29/14 1:04pm
Adams' AppleLifetime Member
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Duncanville, TX - USA

Vette(s):
#1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas


Joined: 11/8/2003
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Biggest problem with the upper control arms is getting them OFF the car to begin with....NOT a fun job...unless you don't have a shroud on the radiator.
Once they are off, the bushings can be tough to remove from the arms sometimes, depending on rust/corrosion. I just bang them out with a fairly large hammer, but others have other, not-harmful-to-your-hands methods.


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Re: popping noise left front when appling brakes (6/19)
 10/29/14 2:01pm
dads2vetteLifetime Member
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Ash Fork, AZ - USA

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1981 Red Interior White exterior


Joined: 4/18/2007
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I pressed mine out with a press from harbor freight. Worked well. I haven't looked but you might try videos on YouTube

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Re: popping noise left front when appling brakes (7/19)
 10/29/14 2:47pm
chevynut
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Thanks for all the info. I have access to a vertical press which should work. I agree with the shroud in place, it doesn't leave a lot of room. If I do it, I'm going to replace everything, bushings, bald joints, etc. 
Re: popping noise left front when appling brakes (8/19)
 10/29/14 6:37pm
F4GaryGold Member
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Grapevine, TX - USA

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1972 LT-1 convertible with factory air.


Joined: 8/26/2006
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Popcorn!!  Beer

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Re: popping noise left front when appling brakes (9/19)
 10/29/14 10:17pm
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Duncanville, TX - USA

Vette(s):
#1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas


Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20126

 

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Joel Adams
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Re: popping noise left front when appling brakes (10/19)
 10/30/14 2:28pm
chevynut
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Not sure what the last two posts imply.
Re: popping noise left front when appling brakes (11/19)
 10/30/14 3:52pm
manchestersharkLifetime Member
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Equinunk, PA - USA

Vette(s):
1972 conv, 4-speed, 350, 200hp, numbers match, rally wheels, war bonnett yellow w/white top. good condition, nice driver.


Joined: 10/31/2007
Posts: 2381

Re: popping noise left front when appling brakes (12/19)
 10/30/14 4:24pm
Adams' AppleLifetime Member
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Duncanville, TX - USA

Vette(s):
#1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas


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chevynut said: Not sure what the last two posts imply.


LOL
We're just sitting back, relaxing....watching you work, and waiting for any updates as they come. Thumbs Up

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Re: popping noise left front when appling brakes (13/19)
 10/30/14 8:17pm
chevynut
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I'm going to start gathering the parts I need. Will be a winter project. The company where I work shuts down between Christmas and New Years. That should be plenty of time to 'get her done'.
Re: popping noise left front when appling brakes (14/19)
 10/30/14 8:50pm
daveo76
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Vancouver, WA - USA

Vette(s):
1976 Silver/Firethorn. L48, 4spd. Original 2 bolt, vortec heads, 9.4:1 CR, Speed Pro Cam: 224/224@0.050, 112 LSA, Eagle Steel Crank.


Joined: 8/25/2005
Posts: 857

Rebuilding the front end on my car was the hardest thing I've done to it - and that includes rebuilding the motor!  But it is do-able.  Ask lots of questions on here so you can avoid doing things the hard way.  I made too many mistakes.  I know some people have had good luck using presses getting the old bushings out and new ones in, but I did not.  There was one control arm that I had particular problems with and I ended up taking it to an alignment shop that caters to guys like us with cars like ours and he got the old out and new in very easily and charged me like $20.  I wished I had just had him do all of them.  

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1976 Silver/Firethorn.  L48, 4spd.  Original 2 bolt, vortec heads, 9.4:1 CR, Speed Pro Cam: 224/224@0.050, 112 LSA, Eagle Steel Crank.
Re: popping noise left front when appling brakes (15/19)
 10/31/14 11:15am
Sarge81Lifetime Member
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WEST SENECA, NY - USA

Vette(s):
1981 Blue Ice Met. w/pearl ghost flames TKO500 5speed. LS1 Swap 3.45 Dana 44.


Joined: 12/3/2001
Posts: 2379

Yup, getting the old rubber bushings out is a pain the arse. I rebuilt the front and rear suspension on mine back in 2001. Lots of bloody knuckles and cursing going on. Not to mention the tools that grew wings and flew across the garage. 

I used poly bushings instead of rubber. Much easier to install. I have yet to hear a squeak from them. 13 yrs. now and they are still holding up great.  


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Re: popping noise left front when appling brakes (16/19)
 10/31/14 11:19am
manchestersharkLifetime Member
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Equinunk, PA - USA

Vette(s):
1972 conv, 4-speed, 350, 200hp, numbers match, rally wheels, war bonnett yellow w/white top. good condition, nice driver.


Joined: 10/31/2007
Posts: 2381

Thumbs Up YUP!  I did three sets of Energy Suspension also. No squeeks.

|UPDATED|10/31/2014 8:19:09 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|


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Re: popping noise left front when appling brakes (17/19)
 10/31/14 11:49am
johnu
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Scottsdale, AZ - USA

Vette(s):
1981 Corvette Two-Tone Claret color, 4 spd, C7 Vert


Joined: 5/23/2007
Posts: 614

Sarge81 said: Yup, getting the old rubber bushings out is a pain the arse. I rebuilt the front and rear suspension on mine back in 2001. Lots of bloody knuckles and cursing going on. Not to mention the tools that grew wings and flew across the garage. 
 

I dream about that often.....I'll continue that dream!
I don't feel like creating any new cuss words.

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Re: popping noise left front when appling brakes (18/19)
 11/8/14 10:55pm
BigShoes16
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Worcester, MA - USA

Vette(s):
75 L-82 Coupe 4-spd


Joined: 2/25/2013
Posts: 52

My front end rebuild was also accomplished between Christmas and New Year's. Christmas 2013 to New Year's 2015. Of course I let my project get way out of hand. Be careful, it's real easy to keep removing parts.

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Re: popping noise left front when appling brakes (19/19)
 11/13/14 11:16pm
dskopp
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Oak Creek, WI - USA

Vette(s):
1981 Great White Shark. Red Interior, 350/190hp. PS, PB (SS), A/C CC, T-Tops, Going to remain as Stock as possible. Served three years in Active Duty Army, then Retired Air Force after 34 years! Badger State Vetts Car Club. 175,000 Original miles!!


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chevynut said: Not sure what the last two posts imply.


When you watch a movie or watch somebody working, you eat popcorn and drink a soda!!!!!!

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