So I have a single thud that happens when I hit the brakes, only happens once until I hit the gas and start driving again. Usually happens as I come to a stop, I can't figure it out. Bad caliper? Need to lube slides?

 

Is the Jeep rapidly slowed by whatever is making the thud like the caliper grabbing or is it just a sound and no feeling?

 

Its not grabbing, just a thud and little feeling. I can sometimes feel it in or under the brake pedal which makes me think upper control arm. I have some side to side play in the driver side UCA but the bushings are good and there is zero back and forth play. Maybe as the axle twists under brake pressure its causing that side to side play to thud?

 

If your braking is not being effected, then you need to look at all suspension components. Perhaps that uca needs a shim. I don't think it should be moving especially if the bushings are good.

 

I went to my local guy today because I can't figure it out. He says he thinks it's my brake pads slapping, may need some shims? Any insight on this issue and how to fix it would be appreciated. He came to this conclusion after driving my car, he could only get the noise going forward and hitting the brakes. Not in reverse, not turning the wheel or going over bumps.

 

look at where the brake pads slide there might be divits in the slide. this is common with mopar vhicles with the same type of brake system. clean really good and have your local guy weld where the pads made divits and grind them smooth. this should fix the slapping noise.

 

Is there anything to the little abutment clips that came with my new pads? I didn't put them on, pads are 2 months old now and probably worn a bit

 

How's your slip yoke on the rear axle? Well lubricated?

 

It needs lubed,but this clunk is very clear front driver side

 

Makes a big difference on mine, I found out. Helps pads from digging in.

 

What kind did you use and how do they get installed?

 

check to see if you're not missing a caliper bolt.

and x2 on control arm bushings. check them out with someone hitting the brakes and releasing while in drive in the driveway, not on the freeway. lol.

also what myjeep said. that's a good point. very common. had to do it to a couple of my own jeeps. it's easy and effective.

 

I don't remember the brand pads I last used but the bag of clips in box should have a couple of sizes for different applications. They are small not the long ones that attach to the rail in some applications. When I got my jeep it did not have clips installed. You need to figure out the edges of brake pad that ride on the metal. The clips will fit to the brake pad itself where it rides, top and bottom. A bit of a puzzle til you figure one out then it's obvious. Odd enough that I looked around at a few vids and didn;t find an example. I fixed the gouges on the slider rail and have used the clips every since and have no gouges anymore.

I wanted to add, I don't know if this is causing your thud noise, just some info on the clips and the sliding pad problems.