Revisiting an initial clunk when releasing the brake pedal.

UPDATE: I had the rotors and brake pads changed out and the clunk is gone. The front pads were worn down to just shy of the wear indicator and the bevel on them was close to being gone. my mechanic thought it was a combo or the worn pads and sticktion. I am really happy the noise is gone. I went with EBC rotors and yellow pads BTW.


I am still having a clunk when releasing the brake pedal and I wanted to see if anyone else has this or has any idea if it is normal as it is just bugging me.

1. In park > foot on brake > put into reverse > take foot off brake = clunk / pop noise

2. In reverse > foot on brake > put into drive > take foot off brake = clunk / pop noise

3. In park > foot on brake > put into neutral > foot off brake > shove into R or D = no clunk / pop

It is a louder noise after the truck has sat a while and it seems loudest the first time I take my foot off the brake. Once I am moving and stop and take off at a stop sign I don't hear it. It seems like the brakes sticking or the energy of putting it into R or D is initially binding the brakes.

Thanks for viewing

 

I think I may have something going on like this tagging along. I need to change my brakes and was going to wait to do that before I started troubleshooting.

 

Hi guys, I fixed this after a few different things. I’ve got an 01 tundra, frame rust, the whole gambit of usual issues with these trucks.

To fix the clunk I first replaced the front and rear shocks and struts… that took most of it away except sometimes after an abrupt stop…

What finally fixed mine was doing front a rear brakes. Rotors, pads, drums, shoes, including front calipers. Now it’s completely gone even if I had to stand on the brakes, and then proceed afterward.

In other forums related to OPs question a master mechanic mentioned something about how the rear end was designed to have space in it for the metal to heat and expand, so the ‘clunk’ is that extra space… the reason for the extra space evidently has something to do with towing… Master mechanic said make sure things are being greased properly and oiled properly as well.

Even before doing this work to my truck I did notice that it would never Clunk when I was pulling a trailer so maybe the master mechanic was right.

 

UPDATE: I had the rotors and brake pads changed out and the clunk is gone. The front pads were worn down to just shy of the wear indicator and the bevel on them was close to being gone. my mechanic thought it was a combo or the worn pads and sticktion. I am really happy the noise is gone. I went with EBC rotors and yellow pads BTW.

 

Glad this fixed your issue! For others finding this thread, other common causes for this would be rear driveshaft slipyoke on equipped models not having the appropriate lubrication. 4WD models have a grease zerk on them to lubricate this. Sticking brakes is another possible cause, rear drums out of adjustment / damaged or corroded parking brake assembly. Rear suspension components like shocks and leafs have been less mentioned culprits for this specific problem, but the leaf bushings at the shackles the pads between the leafs can get brittle and fall out and also benefit from lubrication to keep them from sticking.