jma350

I've tried searching through the forums and found a few similar old threads with no definitive resolution so figured I'd try.

06 350Z Base with 120k miles, in the past week I've noticed a sort of clicking sound that coincides with the rotation coming from the passenger front wheel well. However, it only does it when I'm touching the brake at very low "rolling to a stop" speeds. As soon as I come off the brake pedal, it vanishes. Doesn't matter how hard I'm braking, just barely touching it will cause it. Only noticeable rolling to a stop under 15mph. It is not 100% consistent, at some stop lights it seems louder than others. Non-existant without touching the brake. Seems even worse when turning and braking at low speed (such as entering a parking spot).

I popped the wheel off and took a look today and found some tar material wedged between the dust plate and rotor, so I knocked it out and bent the dust plate as far away from the rotor as I could. Noise persists. Looking around most of the rubber boots for the various ball joints are torn and leaking grease. I've heard others also suggest wheel bearing. I'm just confused as to how barely applying any brake pressure whatsoever could coorelate to a wheel bearing or ball joint noise. Pads>Rotors>Balljoints>Wheel Bearing seems the logical replacement order but I'd obviously like to narrow that down.

Anyone ever find a resolution to this?

Update resolution for anyone who searches similar symptoms: Ended up being the wheel bearing. I took the caliper off to inspect and expected to replace the pads, but when I turned the rotor by hand I could hear slight grinding. I compared it to the driver side and heard nothing. Popped it off and replaced and the noises have cleared up. Must have been shifting around under light braking. Balljoints and the LCA bushings are on the list for a later date as they're looking pretty gnarly.

zakmartin

Seriously??? I think the answer to your question is obvious. Replace the ball joints.

Did the car get soaked in the flood?

jma350

#1 Thanks for the productive reply.

#2 No, no storm damage, and every car Ive ever owned suffering balljoint issues were obvious by simply putting my body weight on the car and the balljoints would squeak. I see cars with busted balljoint boots all the time thay dont display any symptoms. That doesnt match my symptoms.

#3 Again, brakes must be at least touched to display symptoms. Not hard mind you (as in no additional pressure on suspension components).

BrookZee

Well you know for sure the ball joints need replaced so why not just replace them? unless you don't care about your car. If that dont fix the problem do some more diagnostic work

ridered929rr

iTrader: (8)

Comes to forum wants us to diagnose with very few details. States the obvious and gets pissed when some tells him the obvious. Go away

jma350

Thanks for the pruductive response. Very few details? OK. Should expect as much from an online forum I suppose. Easy to be a ***** out of arms' reach. Again, only reason I posted is because I found 3 threads of similar symptoms here from 2011-2012, but all dropped off without OP posting resolution.

i8acobra

iTrader: (6)

Pads shifting in the caliper, or wear indicator on the pad starting to barely touch the rotor. That's the best I can do without seeing it. Both items are common and cause that noise.

jma350

Thanks, Ill check that out first.

zakmartin

Fix the ball joints first. You know they're busted, and it'd suck to have your wheel fall off when you're rolling down the highway.

zakmartin

EDIT:

Screw it. I'm done here.

Terrance Gibson

did you you ever figure it out....i have the exact same problem on my front passenger side...I know it’s not my ball joint because I had them replaced..
I believe it’s a warped rotor because it only makes the noise when applying the brakes lightly

jma350

Its in my edit on original post. Was the wheel bearing. Jack the car up take the wheel off and turn the bearing by hand. If you hear it scratching then its bad.