Ok, this is driving me NUTS!! Last week i noticed a clunking noise when slowly coming to a stop. I left for vacation, and came back and got under it on Monday. Everything feels tight, and most of the front end is fairly new. I tried putting it in gear with the wheels off the ground, but every time i accelerate, the vsa kicks in and brings the axels to a brief grinding stop. I noticed the pads & rotor had warped a bit from braking, and saw the caliper slightly shifting back and forth with the hub moving. I went ahead and replaced the front pads, rotors and calipers. Slapped the tires back on and EUREKA problem solved. Driving home tonight (Thursday) and coming to a slow stop, the banging is back, louder !

The front end is basically new with all factory parts including : pads, rotors, calipers, rack and pinion, sway bar links, lca bushings, compliance bushings, brake sensors, wheel bearings and cv axels are about 2 years old.

Ball joints are tight, tie rod ends (r&p) tight, and the suspension seems firm. My last thought is it's lurking inside the transmission. Any helpful insight is appreciated, this car is gonna be the death of me lol

Have you considered anything in the suspension? Seems to me like it could be related. Even if you try and feel parts for firmness, you're not able to provide more that 30lbs of force while checking the components, the car gives about 2 tons of pressure on those parts so you might not provide enough pressure to see which part is responsible. Usually, you're able to hear if the sound comes from transmission as it seems to be coming from pretty much anywhere around you, no specific area since the transmission is right under you. If you have an issue with some steering or suspension components, you are able to tell if its coming from the left or right side, at least I am. Just go for a short test drive, later at night when there is nobody on the streets and put your windows down and listen carefully.

You can also (if your engine mounts are in good shape) press the brake and slightly press the accelerator at the same time until the car gives you a slight jab forward. If its anything related to steering or suspension, you might just hear it more clearly.

I did some firm jumping on the front end and there was no play up top. Everything looks seated as far as springs go. It honestly doesn't sound like a suspension issue. My first though was the caliper was jumping off before i replaced them. It definitely sounds like nearer the front left. I've done the brake and gas, it yields no results. Its really odd, because it literally has to be a certain spot on the brake pedal. Here's a couple videos i captured earlier today :


https://www.dropbox.com/s/aabjro46bs...50581.mp4?dl=0


https://www.dropbox.com/s/hdukw9ps47...82782.mp4?dl=0

Oh wow. I must have misunderstood you because this is more of a grinding sound than a clunk. For me, a clunk is more about 2 parts hitting each other, impact sound, a grind is 2 parts rubbing against each other, friction sound, and to me this sound like friction.

Have you checked the pad retainer clips to see if for some reason one of them is bent or out of place and grinds on the rotor while braking? Also have you gotten new retainer clips or re-used the old ones? Check your rotors to see if there are any scratches on them, if something is grinding against the rotor (unless its on top somewhere) you will see scratch marks

In any case, dont worry, its not your transmission, i'm pretty certain your problem is with the braking system

It is almost a grind, but the banging sounds a bit more prevalent. It would make sense that it is in the braking system, but everything is brand spanking new. And it had been perfect for 3 days. Everything looks normal, and all caliper bolts are tight. I've never had the mysterious issues I've had with this car before, I'm ready to pull my hair out lol. Thanks for the input, polish.

Does it do it when not braking too and when going over a speed bump or such?