Front brake clunking

Holly W · May 21, 2011, 04:54:59 PM

Hi. I'm new to the forum and new to the GS500. I have searched the archives for a solution, but to no avail.

I have a 2009 with less than 1000 miles on it. (Just got the bike this spring with 200 miles on it) When I apply the front brake at very low speed, it makes a clunking, or clicking sound. Then again when I start to accelerate, it makes it again. It never does it at high speeds, and only the first time I brake or accelerate.

To be clear: it does it multiple times during the course of the ride, but only the first time I apply the brake each time I stop. Does that make sense?

Thanks for any help!
Holly

mister · May 21, 2011, 05:12:15 PM

If you bought the bike from a dealer, take it back as it is a warranty issue.

Michael

Holly W · May 21, 2011, 05:25:28 PM

Unfortunately it is out of warranty.

Big Rich · May 21, 2011, 05:34:49 PM

I would say bust out some wrenches and make sure every nut and bolt on the front end is tight.

adidasguy · May 21, 2011, 08:56:44 PM

There is one think I have noticed on all my GS500's.

If I back up and apply the front brake, the first time I apply the front brake going forward there is a slight click. I believe that is due to a very slight shifting of the brake pad forward or back in the holder. The brake pads just slip in the calipers. They are not hard bolted in so a little movement can be expected. Even a 1mm or less movement can make a click sound when it shifts position.

It took a while when I first heard that happen. With experimenting, I determined that what it was.

Are you hearing the click the first time applying the front brake after you rolled backwards (like backing out of a parking space) and used the front brake?

mister · May 21, 2011, 09:19:25 PM

Gently apply the front brake then push the bike forward and backward while looking at the calipers. Do you see anything moving/loose?

Michael

ben2go · May 22, 2011, 09:41:15 PM

All of mine do it because of the loose tolerances of the front brake pads.You still need to check your wheel,caliper,and brake pins.I upgraded my GS front brake pads to the EBC green pads and it helped.Everything is listed here and how to do it. http://wiki.gstwins.com/index.php?n=Upgrades.BrakePads

burning1 · May 22, 2011, 11:49:17 PM

I tried Greens a while back. I don't think they last till the end of the day.

The only brake pads I haven't managed to ruin in short order are EBC Extreme Pros.

Holly W · May 23, 2011, 05:27:02 AM

Thanks for the replies. I checked every bolt, every connection I could find. Everything was tight. I've examined it while applying the brake, I've grabbed the fork with it unweighted and tried to see if anything moved. I have discovered nothing. I am going to check your suggestion, addidasguy. I can't say for sure that's not it.

burning1 · May 23, 2011, 10:13:12 AM

I'm going to go with worn-out buttons in the rotor... Check and see how far the rotor moves forward and backward when you rotate it by hand...

gsJack · May 23, 2011, 12:33:36 PM

Shouldn't be a worn out anything, Holly said a 09 GS with less than 1000 miles on it that she bought with 200 miles on it. From her description I'm thinking something missing when assembled like the rubber bushing the lower pin slider rides in. I ran mine for a while without that bushing and it clunks like she said on first application, not dangerous just annoying. You can see if it's there by just looking for the rubber knob sticking out where the lower pin slider is.

Holly, can you grab that caliper and move either the top or bottom of it radially a visible amount?

Holly W · May 23, 2011, 04:58:08 PM

Jack,
I actually read a response you posted to another user back in 2009 - when I was searching - where you mention this. You posted this link: http://images.powersportsnetwork.com/fiche/images/Suzuki/2001/Motorcycles/2102_48.gif
Is this the same part? I can't see it on my installed brake caliper. I can't even see where it should be. I don't suppose you have a picture of it on the bike?

gsJack · May 23, 2011, 06:20:43 PM

Found a google pic of a front caliper being removed, it should show you where the rubber pin slider bushing is, also noted it on pic I posted above.

Guess it's a matter of whether it's a clunk or a click we're talking about. If it's just a click maybe it's something like what adidasguy is talking about. When you said clunk I thought of what it sounds like with that bushing missing.

adidasguy · May 23, 2011, 06:28:25 PM

Since we have a floating rotor on the front, it makes sense that it could be nothing more than the rotor moving ever so slightly.

ben2go · May 23, 2011, 08:45:50 PM

Quote from: adidasguy on May 23, 2011, 06:28:25 PM
Since we have a floating rotor on the front, it makes sense that it could be nothing more than the rotor moving ever so slightly.

I did have that when my GS had it's factory front end.My Katana 750 front end has a swooshy sounds from the EBC green pads passing over the cooling holes in the rotors.

Holly W · May 24, 2011, 06:44:05 AM

Quote from: adidasguy on May 23, 2011, 06:28:25 PM
Since we have a floating rotor on the front, it makes sense that it could be nothing more than the rotor moving ever so slightly.

I feel like this must be it. I checked again, gsJack. All parts seem to be intact. There is just the slightest play in the position of the pad.
Now if it would ever stop raining I will get back on it and ride.
Thanks.
Holly

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Front brake clunking