Getting rid of the Clunk Sound & Improve Braking!

[Jean Estel]

First of all hello everyone!

I’m new :silly:

I have a couple of questions and I didn’t know where to put them so I guess here would be suitable?

Vehicle is a 1999 Isuzu Rodeo LS 4WD

Whenever I put the transmission into either Drive or Reverse or to either from park it makes a clunk sound to engage into gear. How do I get rid of that sound? I’ve read around a couple of sights that it might be the slip yolk needing lubrication, but is that true? I don’t want to get it lubed up and then find out I wasted time.

My other question is (yea I know it’s alot) Does it matter if the front pads and rotors are of better performance than the rear? I have some pretty generic pads and rotors on there but I want to increase braking power and efficiency because quite frankly the ABS (which I’ve recently replaced) is total garbage. I find myself trying to stop at the line and ending up pass it like a slow glide or fade. So I was thinking of putting some Ultimax slotted Rotors from EBC and yellowstuff on the front and call it a day. Good idea or Bad?

Topic

[Daniel]

As far as the “clunk” noise I would start by checking the u joints. If it has been a while you might want to change the trans fluid and filter. Maybe check the fluid levels in the transfer case and differentials.
As far as the brakes, if the pedal feels hard to push down you might have a vacuum leak going to the brake booster or a bad brake booster. If the pedal goes down very easily your fluid may be low or you may have bad brake hoses. Bad brake hoses don’t always leak, if they expand they will not allow the required pressure to operate the brakes. If your brake fluid is a dark color you might want to change it. It is good practice to change your brake fluid every year or two. Brake fluid absorbs moisture from the air and that moisture degrades the fluid. Old brake fluid will compress under pressure and will not provide the neccessary pressure needed to operate the brakes.
Upgrading your brakes is never a bad idea but you should make sure the rest of the system is working correctly first.

[EricTheCarGuy]

As for the noise check the U joints and engine mounts for starters. This video might also help.

Since you just replaced the ABS I would try this with your brakes first before you do anything else.

If you want to increase your braking ability I would suggest starting with steal braided lines first. I’ve installed these in the past and haven’t known anything else to have such a positive effect on brake pedal feel and braking action.

[Author]

Replies