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Front suspension/brakes 2002 mustang gt

  • Thread starter Thread starter 02red4point6
  • Start date Start date Dec 29, 2011
0

02red4point6

New Member
Mar 30, 2011
26
0
1
Dec 29, 2011
#1
  • Dec 29, 2011
  • #1
For some time, my front suspension has been making popping noises when braking harder than,say, 35 percent pressure applied. This happens quite often, but even more prevalent when rolling downhill slightly and hitting the brakes.

The wear pattern on my new (3 months old maybe) brake job (pads and rotors) Is scaring me. Had it in the shop a year prior to the last time for brakes (pads and rotors) and in a year, my passenger front went shot way before the drivers front. The passenger front was 50 percent more worn. Maybe more.

Now, the drivers front looks to be wearing A LOT more than the passenger front (which still looks somewhat new along the outside half of the rotor). Another thing, most, maybe, 70 to 80 percent of the wear is on the inside of the rotor(not facing the car, but the inside of the outside of the rotor... Get it?) WTF is this all about???

I'm thinking the popping and brakes go hand in hand, but I could be wrong...

Bumps are A LOT more violent nowadays I've noticed. Could my front suspension need an overhaul? If so, what parts would I need?

And what about the brakes? When I first got them they felt amazing, and now they feel mushy, poppy and inconsistent.

I need some input here guys thank you!
 

txredgt

10 Year Member
Oct 26, 2009
1,343
33
69
Dec 29, 2011
#2
  • Dec 29, 2011
  • #2
What year mustang and are there any mods to the suspension or brakes? Need more info to help answer the questions.
 

trinity_gt

10 Year Member
Jan 31, 2003
3,125
81
99
Canada
Dec 29, 2011
#3
  • Dec 29, 2011
  • #3
Check your wheel bearings for excess slop.
 
0

02red4point6

New Member
Mar 30, 2011
26
0
1
Dec 31, 2011
#4
  • Dec 31, 2011
  • #4
As in the title, 2002 mustang gt stock suspension and brakes

The popping comes from hitting the brakes either in reverse or rolling downhill and braking (at a stop on a hill, etc). And after it pops that way, it pops again when I use 50% or more force on the brakes while going forward (braking to a stop light, stop sign, etc).

Better info for a diagnosis?
 
D

darkside03gt

Member
Feb 19, 2007
851
8
18
Sacramento CA
Jan 1, 2012
#5
  • Jan 1, 2012
  • #5
You have a very similar problem that I had about 3 months after I bought my car. After taking it to two seperate shops I finally broke down and took it to the dealer (wish I had done it the first time, facepalm!) because one of the shops flat out lied to me about what was wrong.

As it turns out ALL the bolts that secured my K member to my car had become loose. The dealer was nice enough to just charge me the diagnostic fee and leave it at that. I would jack the car up and check all those bolts. The bolts being loose wont effect your brakes though.

As for the abnormal break pad issue I would check your wheel bearings. While you have the car in the air for the K-member bolts simply check them by placing your hands on the wheels at the 12 and 6 positions and see if you can move the wheels in and out so to speak. If there is any play then the bearings are most likely shot.

The other things I would check regarding the popping sound are your ball joints, upper strut mounts, and tie rods. The suspension on our cars is very simple so you only have a few places to check.
 

mransr

Founding Member
Nov 3, 2000
1,188
36
98
Riverside, SoCal
Jan 1, 2012
#6
  • Jan 1, 2012
  • #6
on mine the pop sound was from the rack mount bolts; removing them, cleaning the mounting holes then putting them back and re-tightening them fixed it.
 
0

02red4point6

New Member
Mar 30, 2011
26
0
1
Jan 1, 2012
#7
  • Jan 1, 2012
  • #7
Guys thanks a lot. I'll try the wheel bearing thing and check out the ball joints and k member bolts. Thanks for the responses!
 
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