macpherson struts or front disc brakes sounds?

[auto pal]

hello.

i have a 2008 automatic sedan. my odometer reads about 38K kilometers.

i have been feeling or hearing a creaking sound coming from the front of the car when braking. more so, if it's a sudden hard stop. i don't know if it's from the brakes or the macpherson struts. also up front, there's a slight knocking or clunking sound when the brakes are applied.

are these problems connected? are they common? what could they be?

thanks for any advice.

[cali yaris]

is it "creaking" or "squealing/squeeking"?

is there any pattern, like the sound slows down as you slow down?

[yaris2010RS]

i think only a mod can move it. but about ur noise, i hear a light clunk when brakes are applied the first time after being in reverse and going forward. my dads ML500 had the same issue from new (only it was alot louder) and he was told its the break pads moving front and back and its nothing serious.

i would check and make sure ur wheel studs are tight. also has any work been done to the front end of the car? i would start there. in very rare cases ive heard of ball joint making this sound.

**copied from idle thread**

[severous01]

if you are doing brakes soon, buy higher end pads...they'll come with shims. idk if the yaris has shims, i dont think they do, but the do move a little. you shouldnt notice any noise though.

the top strut mount is a bearing, and it may have dirt/debris in it. you could loosen the botls and clean it with some sort of cleaner. if you do, raise that wheel off the ground to take the weight off, loosen the bolts until the strut drops about a quarter inch and spray the crap out of it with brake cleaner or alcohol. the bearing should be sealed but dirt could be in there somewhere.

[auto pal]

thanks for the replies, cali yaris, yaris2010rs and severous01.

there are two sounds i hear. one sound is the clunking which i think is from the brake pads. i may need new ones soon. the other sound is really a creaking sound. not only when i brake but also sometimes when i turn the wheel while the car is not moving yet like when making three-point turn.

[yaris2010RS]

**if it sounds like its coming from outside the car**
the creaking sound is defiantly the top of the shock. either the bearing or the rubber thingy on top making contact on the shock tower. try applying an oil spray into the area (top of shock where it meets the shock tower) and see if it helps. my car makes the same noise with my coilovers in. for next year i will be putting a Teflon coating on the area.

**if it sounds like its coming from inside the car or in the firewall**
apply grease to the steering shaft knuckles. my moms 01 camry has the same sound and grease is applied every 8 months or so.

[auto pal]

thanks, yaris2010rs. will try your suggestions.